Should you replace serpentine belt when replacing alternator?

Should you replace serpentine belt when replacing alternator?

The serpentine belt is a long rubber belt that transports power to the engine accessories—the alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor and (sometimes) the water pump. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule.

Can a bad alternator cause a serpentine belt to break?

It’s possible that a seized alternator could damage the belt to the point where it would break as well. When the belt is replaced, the mechanic will look at the area for any damage the belt might have done when it broke and fix all of that before replacing the belt.

Why would a brand new serpentine belt break?

Serpentine belts can fail in a few different ways. This is usually the result of a belt in poor condition, or a problem with one of the accessory components being driven by the belt. A failed bearing in a pulley being driven by the serpentine belt will also cause the belt to break.

What would cause an alternator to keep going bad?

Mechanically a pulley could be off-center and strain the alternator bearings. Or in older cars the tensioner may be adjusted too tightly. If it’s an electrical death, it could be using alternators from a poor source, like some of the marginal alternator recyclers.

How long can a car run without serpentine belt?

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.

What damage can a broken serpentine belt cause?

A broken serpentine belt stops the water pump from circulating coolant (antifreeze) through the cooling system, and the engine can overheat – anywhere! A broken serpentine belt stops the alternator from generating power to operate the vehicle’s electric (and electronic) systems and recharge the battery.

What can kill a new alternator?

Running in full charge mode continuously can kill an alternator, so trying to have your new alternator try and charge your dead battery can result in immediate alternator failure.

What happens when you change the serpentine belt?

Billions of rotations under constant tension of the serpentine belt will take its toll over time. The “ribs” in the pulleys get damaged so even if you change the belt, the damaged pulley will tear and shred the belt again.

Can a bad serpentine belt cause an AC pump to fail?

The AC pump often has its own smaller serpentine belt for just the AC pump in many car models, not in all of them, though. If you have a separate belt for the AC pump and it fails, everything else might work except the air condition. A lot of car models have the water pump powered by the serpentine belt.

Is the water pump driven by the serpentine belt?

Another important device driven by the serpentine belt is the water pump. This is not always the case as on a lot of cars the water pump is driven by the timing belt. You should have this in mind so you don’t falsely “accuse” the serpentine belt for overheating.

What are the warning lights on a serpentine belt?

You will most likely notice the battery light because the serpentine belt powers the alternator, and if it stops, the warning light will appear. You may also notice other warning lights like a power steering warning light or hydraulic pressure warning light.

What happens when the serpentine belt fails on an alternator?

The serpentine belt powers the alternator, and if it fails, the alternator will stop working the moment your belt wears out and breaks, or the pulley becomes damaged. This can also happen if the serpentine belt is not tightened correctly. Most cars have automatic tensioners, but these can fail, so it is better to double-check.

What should I do if my alternator is bad?

Loosen the belt tensioner that is near the alternator. This will allow slack in the belt so that both it and the alternator can be removed safely. Remove the serpentine belt. Loosen connecting bolts and remove the alternator. Refit the new alternator in place of the old one and reinstall any screws removed in the process.

What causes the alternator to spin when the engine is turned off?

If one breaks, you may hear it knocking around as the alternator spins. The alternator belt (also known as the serpentine belt) passes through several pulleys on the engine. When the crank turns, the belt pulls the other pulleys and causes them to spin, including the alternator pulley.

How can I tell if my alternator belt is too loose?

If it is glazed and slightly burnt looking, that is an indication that it is slipping. The belt is too loose, so it slips on the pulleys instead of traveling along them. The metal-on-rubber friction heats up the belt, quickly wearing it out.