What Langford Drivers Need to Know About Their Serpentine Belt

Your serpentine belt drives your alternator and air conditioning compressor. The power steering and power brake pumps are driven by the serpentine belt in many vehicles. In some vehicles, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt (in others it’s driven by the timing belt). The radiator cooling fan on some vehicles are also driven by the serpentine belt. Some have separate electric motors.

Serpentine belts do a lot of work for Langford drivers, but they’re tough and can last for thousands of kilometers, but just how long will they last? That’ll vary for each individual vehicle. Your car maker will have a recommendation for when it should be changed, but it could need it sooner. The good news is that a visual inspection at Affordable Auto Repair in Langford can reveal a belt that’s worn.

It’s often recommended that the tensioner pulley that keeps the belt at the proper tension be replaced along with the serpentine belt. This pulley is mounted to the engine block with a spring loaded arm.

What are the warning signs that there’s a problem with the serpentine belt? Langford drivers may hear a squealing sound from under the hood when accelerating. A loose belt might give you a slow, slapping sound.

If you suspect a problem with your serpentine belt, or if it’s just been a while since it was last checked, ask your Affordable Auto Repair service advisor to have it looked over.

Stop by or give us a call.

Affordable Auto Repair
931 Dunford Ave Ste 101
Langford, BC V9B 2S4
250-213-1959

At Affordable Auto Repair we install quality NAPA replacement parts.