hey i had a belt break while traveling on my 2004 honda pilot. It is the small belt and not the serpentine belt. The mechanic t

Battery light came on and car died while traveling. Looked under the hood and a small belt was broken. Had it towed to an out of my home town repair shop. The repair shop has called me and told me that my ac compressor locked up and tore the belt. He also stated that there is only one belt that drives everything, but I am sure this is not the case as was able to pull the small broken belt out and still see the serpentine belt intact

I looks to me that only my alternator belt broke, if that is what the small belt drives and i don't need a compressor as it appear to be driven be the ser

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. The smaller belt is known as your timing belt, and it works inside the engine to keep mechanical components aligned with each other during the compression cycle. The serpentine belt, which is the big belt, drives the alternator, water pump, AC compressor, and a couple of other components. If the small belt broke it is likely the timing belt. This will cause the car to stall, lights to illuminate, and can even cause serious damage to the engine. Typically replacing a timing belt is a lot more complicated and expensive than replacing a serpentine belt. You may want to receive a second opinion on the car before you go ahead with repairs.

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The alternator powers all the vehicle electrics and recharges the car battery. If the serpentine belt breaks, the alternator stops generating electrical power. If that happens, your headlights will dim, the radio won`t work, and the battery will die.
If the timing belt is starting to go bad, the engine will run poorly and the check engine light will likely come on. If the belt breaks, the engine will stall immediately, and internal engine damage can occur.
Timing belts for a 2004 Honda Pilot need to be replaced every 100,000 to 120,000 miles. This is a good mileage range to change the belt because most Honda timing belts last for at least 100,000 miles.
What causes serpentine belts to break? Too much wear due to heat and friction will cause a serpentine belt to break over time. That`s why regular inspections are vital to making sure this doesn`t happen.
How long will my car run with a broken serpentine belt? There are a few variables involved in the answer, but it should be able to run between 20 to 90 minutes. If it is a hot summer day, your engine can overheat very quickly without the coolant being pumped through the radiator.
Continuing to drive with a broken serpentine belt also puts your car`s engine at risk and can lead to extremely expensive repair costs, so play it safe and don`t drive any further than you need to.
When the belt breaks, the valve springs will slam all the valves closed. From sheer inertia – no matter how fast you were going or even idling – the crankshaft will continue to move the pistons up and down for a short time and will hit the valves.
Of course. Anything can be fixed, and a snapped timing belt is no different.
Here are the details: 2013-2017: V6 models have timing belts & 4-cylinder models have timing chains. 2008-2012: V6 models have timing belts & 4-cylinder models have timing chains. 2003-2007: V6 models have timing belts & 4-cylinder models have timing chains.
A Honda Pilot can last upwards of 200,000 miles if properly cared for by Lexington drivers. However, there are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a Honda Pilot from climate to regular maintenance.
Under no circumstances can you drive a vehicle without a serpentine belt because the serpentine belt serves the important function of delivering antifreeze to important parts of the engine. The serpentine belt drives the water pump, and without it, there is insufficient coolant flow to maintain the engine temperature.
Typically a damaged belt tensioner will not impact vehicle performance. It would cause the serpentine or drive belt to wear prematurely or to squeak – but not cause the acceleration issue.
The serpentine belt (also known as a fan belt, alternator belt, or drive belt) is a critical car component. Hearing a sharp squeaking noise or a loud grinding noise are tell-tale signs of wear. It`s your car telling you something`s not right, and it may be your car`s broken or old belt.
You should absolutely not drive your car with a broken serpentine belt unless you`re going directly to a nearby mechanic for repairs. Even then, you may find that your broken serpentine belt means the steering wheel is stiff and hard to maneuver.
The tensioner that keeps the belt taut is pressurized by the engine oil. If the tensioner has no oil pressure, the belt will become loose and possibly disengage from the pulleys and/or break. If the camshafts don`t have enough oil pressure to operate properly, they will also lock up, causing the timing belt to break.
Time is perhaps more important than miles. Seven years is the maximum life of the timing belt recommended by most manufacturers. For example, the belt should be replaced even if the engine has only 30,000 miles but is seven years of age. More timing belts break due to age than mileage.
But what will happen if the timing belt breaks in a non-interference engine? A non-interference engine won`t suffer any damage, but it will stop running. This is because in a non-interference engine, the pistons won`t collide with open valves.
However, if the vehicle has a timing belt, there is a very specific interval for replacing it. Timing belt replacement is generally recommended every 60,000 to more than 100,000 miles, depending on the vehicle manufacturer.
A non-interference engine provides clearance between the valves and pistons, so if the timing belt breaks, you might end up with bent valves, and you might have to have your cylinder heads rebuilt, but the engine isn`t likely to be destroyed.
Tuning Pro explains the Honda 3.5-liter V6 is an interference engine. That means it`s more powerful and efficient, but there`s overlap where the valves and pistons are. If a timing belt snaps or slips, they can collide, which is bad.
From 2013-2017, the 4-cylinder models still have a timing chain and the V6 models have a timing belt. Starting with the 2018 model year, all the available engines come with a timing chain.
There is just one belt. The intake and exhaust cams are connected by a small chain and generally do not need to be replaced.
Will a timing belt last 10 years? Most manufacturers recommend replacing the cambelt every 60,000 to 100,000 miles or every 5-7 years, whichever comes first.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

hey i had a belt break while traveling on my 2004 honda pilot. It is the small belt and not the serpentine belt. The mechanic t
ANSWER : Hello. The smaller belt is known as your timing belt, and it works inside the engine to keep mechanical components aligned with each other during the compression cycle. The serpentine belt, which is the big belt, drives the alternator, water pump, AC compressor, and a couple of other components. If the small belt broke it is likely the timing belt. This will cause the car to stall, lights to illuminate, and can even cause serious damage to the engine. Typically replacing a timing belt is a lot more complicated and expensive than replacing a serpentine belt. You may want to receive a second opinion on the car before you go ahead with repairs.

The serpentine belt did not break but truck stopped running towed to honda dealer and it is the serpentine belt but they are also
ANSWER : To justify any repair expense, you first need an accurate diagnosis. It would be unusual to need a new engine, even at 150,000 miles, unless something catastrophic occurred. If the dealership did not provide you with a complete and intelligible explanation, preferably in writing if you paid a diagnostic fee, of "why" you need a new engine, I would turn your attention elsewhere and seek a second opinion and along with that second opinion, potentially lower cost repair options. If you want the issue diagnosed by a certified mechanic from YourMechanic, I would recommend that you simply request a no start diagnostic. After such a diagnostic, if it turns out that the LOWEST cost repair option for you is to change out the engine, in some locales certified mechanics dispatched by YourMechanic are available to do that. Finally, I will stress that, unless you have been told conclusively and authoritatively that major internal mechanical components of the engine are broken, and that is why the engine won’t run, you definitely should get a second opinion. That is because engines often won’t run for the simplest of reasons so you really need to get a credible and accurate diagnosis, from an expert, of the issue you are having. Please let us know how we can help you further and get this resolved for you.

Belt keeps on sliding off and breaking the belt.
ANSWER : Hello. Dodge unfortunately had a strange history with this issue in one way or another. The type and quality of belts you are installing may be playing a factor, and you may want to upgrade to a better belt. The type and quality of belt tensioner you installed could also be playing a factor. A smooth belt tensioner surface is subject to the belts sliding off, especially if there is any liquid in the area. If the water pump, oil, or power steering pump are leaking fluid, then the belts are more prone to slipping off and becoming damaged. If you need to have this scoped out, have a local expert, like one from YourMechanic, inspect the belts and make proper adjustments or repairs as necessary.

Can you change the defected water pump without changing its defected belt (which is the drive belt and only belt in this model of
ANSWER : Hello. Yes you can replace the water pump without replacing the serpentine belt. If the belt is worn, and it breaks while you are driving, you can damage a lot of other components in that area. Typically the price of a serpentine belt is relatively inexpensive. You will have to remove the belt to replace the water pump anyway. Since you are likely going to have to purchase a new pump, we do recommend that you purchase a belt at the same time. You SHOULD replace the belt if it is worn, and this is a perfect time to do it. It is not necessarily required, but you are putting yourself at risk of another break down at a later time. Not to mention if the belt is already worn, manipulating off and back onto the vehicle while changing the water pump can further damage it, and shorten the amount of time its got left. Belts should be replaced before they break, as to the amount of damage they can cause when they do break. Again, you may be able to get away with not replacing the belt right now, but if its as worn as you say, its going to break sooner than later and should be replaced.

Hello, I have 2007 Toyota Prius 135000, I have had it since 67000, do I need to replace water pump? Serpentine belt? maintenance?
ANSWER : Hello. If your vehicle just needs the serpentine belt then that needs to be replaced. There is no reason to replace the water pump if it is not leaking or making noise. You could have it changed as maintenance, but there really is not reason to do so. As for the other items, with this many miles I would have the vehicle tuned up and also change any fluids that have not been changed. You should have these items replaced by a certified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, as they can come to you to [replace your belt and do the maintenance on the vehicle] https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/serpentine-drive-belt-replacement

Serpentine belt is rubbing on the engine cover at the belt tensioner pulley 2004 Hyundai Tiburon
ANSWER : Hi there – I would start by doing a visual inspection of the serpentine belt, and the pulleys – are they visually in line? If not, which pulley is out of line in the direction of the engine cover? Are there bushings on the alternator mount which have softened, and are allowing the alternator to "give" such that the serpentine belt is close to the cover? The crankshaft pulley is not likely moving at all. Is the cover where the rubbing occurs coming loose, and moving into the serpentine belt? For assistance, I would recommend a serpentine belt replacement by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

Belts are cracked and need replacing, okay to leave off a/c belt?
ANSWER : Hello. If the belt driving the A/C compressor only drives the A/C compressor and nothing else, you can remove it with no consequences. The fan shroud is not optional equipment however as it has both a cooling system function and a safety function.

Depending on your climate, you might consider diagnosing the A/C system and repairing it. If you use a service such as YourMechanic, it will often be economical enough to do it, particularly if the fault is limited.

Even if the compressor shaft sealing is leaking (would be likely after 25 years), that is fixable in the field. Feel free to contact YourMechanic if you have additional needs relative to this or the replacement of your power steering, alternator, A/C belts.

how to remove the spring loaded belt tensioner the serpentine belt is kept tight with.
ANSWER : Hey there. You will need to remove the entire housing that contains the spring. Belt tensioners are replaced as a unit. In the case of the 4.7L Toyota Motor, you will need to remove a couple of the plastic timing covers to allow the tensioner assembly to slide out and off of its studs. Once you remove the timing covers, you will be able to see the entire assembly and identify which bolts and nuts must be removed to remove the tensioner. You may need to remove the fan belt pulley to remove one or more of the covers. I suggest purchasing a new one first, then you will be able to see all that needs to happen. If you should need help with this project, or would simply like it to be done for you, have a certified technician from YourMechanic come to your car’s location to assist with your drive belt replacement.