Does a car have a serpentine belt and a timing belt?
Don’t get confused—a serpentine belt is not the same thing as a timing belt. The serpentine belt and timing belt have very different functions in your vehicle. The timing belt is located inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync.
Is a serpentine belt the same as a cam belt?
Most car owners don’t understand the difference between the serpentine belt and the timing belt. Sometimes these two names are used interchangeably by people. However, the serpentine belt and timing belt serve two completely different purposes. But they both are important parts of the internal combustion engine.
How does the timing belt and serpentine belt work?
In short, the timing belt is responsible for keeping the camshaft and crankshaft movements synchronized. The serpentine belt takes mechanical power from the engine and transmits it to several peripheral devices of the vehicle, such as the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, air pump, oil pump, and air conditioning compressor.
When do you know it’s time to replace your timing belt?
Some cars are equipped with V-belts on each component. Others feature a serpentine belt, which is one large, multi-groove belt routed around all your car’s rotating components. Visible signs of cracks, fraying, or splitting can indicate that it’s time to replace either type of belt.
Where are the teeth of the timing belt located?
In certain types of internal combustion engines, the timing belt may also help run the oil pump and water pump of the engine. But in every engine, the timing belt’s main job is to keep the camshaft and crankshaft connected with its teeth. The inside surface of the timing belt is where the teeth are located.
When do I need to replace my serpentine belt?
The tensioner and all the pulleys should be inspected when a new serpentine belt is needed or if your belts are squealing. A replacement is needed if the tensioner is worn or damaged. When should my radiator hose be replaced?
In short, the timing belt is responsible for keeping the camshaft and crankshaft movements synchronized. The serpentine belt takes mechanical power from the engine and transmits it to several peripheral devices of the vehicle, such as the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, air pump, oil pump, and air conditioning compressor.
In certain types of internal combustion engines, the timing belt may also help run the oil pump and water pump of the engine. But in every engine, the timing belt’s main job is to keep the camshaft and crankshaft connected with its teeth. The inside surface of the timing belt is where the teeth are located.
How long does it take to change a timing belt?
As a service provider it is my duty to explain this concept to you the consumer. Many times it is a 4 or 5 hour job to change a timing belt, by not doing the job right and replacing all of the tensioners, idler pulleys and the water pump at the same time puts you, the consumer in harm’s way.
How often should a serpentine belt be replaced?
Generally speaking, a serpentine belt should last you between 50,000 miles and 100,000 miles before it needs to be replaced. Because the serpentine belt is exposed to a lot of heat and is continually used in your engine it’s going to wear down after a time which can’t really be avoided.