Serpentine Belt replacement
Kia Optima EX 2006. The serpentine belt is broken as well as my air conditioner which I was told that the compressor had frozen up. Can I replace the serpentine belt without repairing the air conditioner ?
My car has an automatic transmission.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
It depends. In scenario no. 1, let’s assume the compressor itself is seized and will not turn. In that scenario, so long as the bearing that allows the compressor CLUTCH to rotate freely is good AND you NEVER attempt to operate the A/C system, then it is safe to install and run a new serpentine belt. In scenario no. 2, though, if BOTH the compressor and the clutch bearing are seized, it would be impossible to install a serpentine belt because the belt would simply get hung up on the seized a/c clutch pulley every time you turn the engine on. In scenario no. 1, if you have a good clutch bearing, but a seized compressor, just disconnect the clutch wiring harness to prevent accidental engagement of the compressor and then you can add the new serpentine belt. The foregoing two scenarios represent the situation that you face technically. As far as good advice though, unless you live in Alaska, I strongly recommend you simply repair or replace the compressor because a/c is not a mere "convenience". Cars are mini-toasters, or worse, in the summer and for your own health and safety a/c is more than just a "good idea". If you schedule the repair on a mobile basis through YourMechanic, it can be affordable. The recommended service for belt replacement is serpentine belt repair and for the a/c system, a/c compressor replacement. Please let us know if you have additional concerns.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
As with most automotive belts, the AC belt will either be a V-belt or a serpentine. A serpentine belt is flat and ribbed, and serves to connect several components, while a V-belt is narrower, shaped like a V, and connects only two components.
The average cost for a Kia Optima Serpentine Belt Replacement is between $117 and $137. Labor costs are estimated between $61 and $77 while parts are priced between $55 and $59.
It is often beneficial to change the drive belts in your car approximately every 60,000 to 100,000 miles. By undergoing annual car inspections, you can have your drive belts evaluated. If any signs of damage or severe wear and tear are identified, the belts can be replaced.
Since you`ll likely only replace your serpentine belt once during the life of your car, it`s generally recommended to take your car to a professional mechanic. You can do a lot of damage to your vehicle if you drive on the road with an improperly installed serpentine belt.
Of the parts that will eventually need to be replaced in your vehicle, the serpentine belt is one of the most important. How long does a serpentine belt last? Being made of durable rubber, a serpentine belt can last anywhere from around 50,000-100,000 miles.
In the technical sense, yes—you can drive a vehicle with a broken serpentine belt, but only for a short distance, as you may unexpectedly lose power at any time. If this happens while you`re on the highway, you are at serious risk of being hit by or colliding with another vehicle.
Kevlar belts will hold up better in high shock load drives that have frequent starting/stopping and multiple directional changes. Standard belts are best suited for smooth operating drives with consistent speeds and low loads.
Get the right size: If your old serpentine belt no longer has a part number on it and you can`t find a manual for your vehicle, slip off the old belt and use a string to measure its length. Then order one size smaller than the string, to make up for the stretching of your current belt that has occurred over the years.
It depends on what the belt runs. If it runs the water pump you won`t make it more than a few miles before overheating. If the water pump is still good you should be able to make it about 20 miles on a good battery.
Serpentine Belt Prep Work
There are only a few things you`ll need to replace a serpentine belt: a new belt, a belt tensioner tool and maybe a socket wrench. These things should be easy to find at an auto parts store. Gloves and eye protection never hurt either.
There are two belts you need to be familiar with when talking about car maintenance — the serpentine belt and the timing belt. The serpentine belt winds through your engine and carries power to several key components, including the alternator, air conditioning, and power steering pump.
V-belts are belts with a trapezoidal cross-section. Like other types of belts, they are used to transmit power or torque from the driving component to the driven component.
V-belt cross sections can be identified by their top width and depth dimensions. For example, a v-belt with a top width of 21/32” and a depth of 7/16” is a “B” belt. You can also use our Browning Belt Rule that includes a gauge to help easily identify belt type.
There are three common V belt types: Classical V-belt (classified by their dimensions from A to E), Narrow V series (ranked by their sizes 3V, 5V, and 8V), and light-duty Fractional Horsepower belt (classified by their dimensions 2L, 3L, 4L, 5L). The letter X classifies their counterpart cogged belt.
A V-belt is the rubber belt that drives the alternator, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump and waterpump. It`s called a V-belt because of its “V” shaped cross-section. All belts wear out over time and need to be replaced.
You can expect a drive belt to last up to 80,000 km to 100,000. However, most mechanics will recommend changing it around the 75,000 km mark to prevent it from snapping unexpectedly.
The serpentine belt is often available as a package to deal with any tensioners and idlers that you require. It`s prudent to replace them all at the same time for a small additional cost to the alternator replacement bill.
Your car may frequently stall while driving if the serpentine belt isn`t doing its job. If the belt breaks as you`re driving, eventually the battery will die, and the belt could do other damage as it flops around under the hood.
Loosing the serpentine belt should not affect the engine timing.
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.
Belt Noise
As these belts wear out, they can begin to squeak or squeal. They make noise because there is not enough tension on the belt, or because the pulleys are misaligned or weak. Often, simply changing the belt will make it stop squealing. The noise isn`t usually a danger, though it does sound alarming.
It`s quite simple, really: your car cannot run at all without a timing belt. If the belt breaks while you are on the road, the car will break down immediately – and your engine can experience severe damage.
If a pulley or tensioner goes out of alignment and causes the serpentine belt to slip, the hiccup in power transfer to vital systems in your vehicle will trigger the check engine light to come on.
The serpentine belt goes by a couple of different names: accessory belt and drive belt. The belt is long and snakes through several pulleys. That`s why it`s called a serpentine belt. You can find the serpentine belt on the front or side the engine.
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.
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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
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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.
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Timing Belt Cover replacement and External Belt too.
ANSWER : The parts are touching likely because either the parts were not installed properly or fasteners may be missing or broken. If oil has been leaking, this can cause the seal around the covers to swell as well causing misalignment. Consider hiring an experienced technician like one from YourMechanic who can come out and take a closer inspection of the belt drive to see what is causing the misalignment and offer a more personal diagnosis as well as estimate the proper repairs.
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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.
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After belt replacement, belt tensioner squeaks and is loose
ANSWER : More likely mileage and time wore the tensioner out. The tensioner bearing wears out with mileage – it’s good to replace the tensioner pulley/bearing when replacing the belt. The tensioner itself is spring-actuated, and the spring can get weak over the years. The squeaking is likely from the tensioner bearing itself. If you decide to get it fixed, consider YourMechanic, as a certified technician can help you replace your belt tensioner as necessary.
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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.
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High Pitched Squealing
ANSWER : Hi there. The old wives tale of putting water on a serpentine belt actually is true. The water creates a temporary shift in weight distribution and can reduce the squealing noise. My suspicion is that your belt is probably fine, but the pulley’s are damaged and need to be replaced. Typically a professional mechanic will recommend replacing the pulley’s the same time you complete the belt replacement. This significantly reduces the possibility of alignment issues. I would recommend not taking your car to a mechanic, but have the mechanic come to you. Have one of our professional mobile mechanics complete a car is making a noise inspection first. This will allow them to identify the source of the noise and recommend a repair.
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