Is it hard to change belts on a car?

Changing the belt should only take about 15 minutes. Make sure the car is switched off and cooled down before touching any part of the engine. Use a wrench, ratchet, or special serpentine belt tool to release the belt tensioner. Remove the old belt from the pulleys.

How long does it take to change serpentine belt?

It can take anything from 15 minutes to an hour (two at the most) to repair or replace a bad serpentine belt with a new belt.

Should I change my own serpentine belt?

The serpentine belt “snakes” around several components of the engine, transferring mechanical power to nearly every critical part. Under normal conditions, the belt needs to be replaced every 4 to 6 years. When these cracks become bad enough the belt will chunk pieces off and eventually break.

Is it hard to change alternator belt?

Replacing an alternator belt is fairly easy; all you need to get started are the right tools. As always, when starting on a project, it is always a good idea to practice precaution. Make sure that the key is out of the ignition and that the negative battery cable is disconnected before you start.

Will serpentine belt make noise?

Worn/Cracked Serpentine Belt – Serpentine belts have grooves which fit into grooves in the pulleys. Over time, the friction wears down these grooves, resulting in a loose fit. A worn belt can, therefore, begin to slip, which is one of the causes the squeal. Alternatively, cracks can cause the belt to snap.

How expensive is it to replace a serpentine belt?

A typical serpentine belt start at around $25 and goes up to $75 at most. If you know some car repair basics, you could change the belt yourself, and it may save you paying labor charges somewhere between $75 and $120. All together, you’re looking at around $100 to $195 to replace your serpentine belt.

How much do mechanics charge to change serpentine belt?

Typical costs: Hiring a mechanic to replace a serpentine belt typically costs about $60-$200 or more. This includes $25-$75 for the belt plus half an hour to an hour of labor, at $75-$120 per hour. The job could even take longer on some vehicles, if the belt is difficult to access or install quickly.

How long can you drive with a bad serpentine belt?

between 20-90 minutes
There are a couple of factors influencing the answer to this question, but on average, your car should be able to run between 20-90 minutes with a broken serpentine belt. The engine will overheat faster without a functioning cooling system on a hot day, so your driving window is less.

Does Walmart replace serpentine belts?

Walmart does replace serpentine belts at some Auto Care Centers as of 2021. The price can range from $150 – $200 for replacing the serpentine belt, which includes the belt and labor. It is recommended to call your local Walmart Auto Care Center beforehand to see if the store offers this service.

How do I know if my serpentine belt is worn?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Serpentine/Drive Belt

1. Squealing noise from the front of the vehicle. If you notice a squealing noise coming from the front of your vehicle, it could be from the serpentine belt.
2. Power steering and AC not working.
3. Engine overheating.
4. Cracks and wear on the belt.

Replacing either the drive belt or the serpentine belt can be somewhat annoying but it is not very expensive to replace, thankfully. Replacing the belt will usually cost between $80 and $315, depending on your car and on the mechanic.

How do you replace a serpentine belt?

How To Replace Serpentine Belt. Install the new serpentine belt. Using the drawing or diagram from the first step, install the new belt. Tighten the tensioner. Move the tensioner back into place and tighten the bolt. Check your work. Start the vehicle and listen for squealing or abnormal sounds.

How often should your serpentine belt be changed?

The typical replacement interval for serpentine belts and flat belts today is around 90,000 miles – which for many vehicles means only once every seven to nine years! That’s a lot of miles between belt changes.

How hard is replacing serpentine belt?

Serpentine belt replacement is easy because today’s automatic drive belt tensioners eliminate the need to loosen bolts or pry components into position for retensioning. Just rotate the tensioner, remove the old belt and install a new one. When the belt ribs are seated into the pulley grooves, release the tensioner and you’re done.