What Val Caron Drivers Need to Know About Their Serpentine Belt

Your serpentine belt drives your alternator and air conditioning compressor. The power steering and power brake pumps are driven by the serpentine belt in many vehicles. In some vehicles, the water pump is driven by the serpentine belt (in others it’s driven by the timing belt). The radiator cooling fan on some vehicles are also driven by the serpentine belt. Some have separate electric motors.

Serpentine belts do a lot of work for Val Caron drivers, but they’re tough and can last for thousands of kilometers, but just how long will they last? That’ll vary for each individual vehicle. Your car maker will have a recommendation for when it should be changed, but it could need it sooner. The good news is that a visual inspection at Jamie's Auto Service in Val Caron can reveal a belt that’s worn.

It’s often recommended that the tensioner pulley that keeps the belt at the proper tension be replaced along with the serpentine belt. This pulley is mounted to the engine block with a spring loaded arm.

What are the warning signs that there’s a problem with the serpentine belt? Val Caron drivers may hear a squealing sound from under the hood when accelerating. A loose belt might give you a slow, slapping sound.

If you suspect a problem with your serpentine belt, or if it’s just been a while since it was last checked, ask your Jamie's Auto Service service advisor to have it looked over.

Stop by or give us a call.

Jamie's Auto Service
1710 Main St
Val Caron, ON P3N 1R8
705-897-5557

At Jamie's Auto Service we install quality NAPA replacement parts.