Understanding the variations between a serpentine belt and a timing belt is vital when maintaining your vehicle. Though these components might sound almost the same, they play totally different roles in your vehicle’s performance and lifespan.
The following is a serpentine belt vs. timing belt crash course! This post will explain what they do, how to guarantee they’re in good working order, and what symptoms to look out for should either fail.
Is a Serpentine Belt the Same as a Timing Belt?
Not exactly! Whereas both are necessary for your vehicle, they serve very distinct purposes. Serpentine belts are long, meandering belts that distribute your engine’s rotational energy to different accessories, such as your alternator, power steering pump, and A/C compressor. At the same time, the timing belt guarantees that your engine’s intake and exhaust valves open and close at the correct intervals by the synchronization of the crankshaft and camshaft.
Serpentine Belts
This type of belt is vital to several systems within your vehicle. By connecting your vehicle’s engine’s crank pulley to other different accessory pulleys, the belt gives power to your vehicles:
- Alternator, that charges its battery
- Power steering pump, making steering easier and more reactive
- A/C compressor, that keeps the inside of your vehicle cool
- Water pump, that plays a significant role in keeping your engine cool
- Other accessories, subject to the make and model of your vehicle
If you believe that there are a lot of accessories depending on one belt, you would be right. Older modeled vehicles had a belt for each one of the accessories they were required to run. Individual belts signify that if one had a catastrophic failure, the vehicle would lose the operation of that one accessory, but other accessories would not be impacted.
Nevertheless, multiple belts deplete a lot of engine power through friction. Therefore, in the strive of performance and efficiency, a lot of current vehicles combine all of those belts into one “serpentine” belt — suitably named because of it snaking between different accessories.
How Can You Tell if Your Serpentine Belt is Bad?
Failing serpentine belts can cause a multitude of problems, including a dead battery, overheating, power steering loss, and more. However, how can you pinpoint a serpentine belt that has not failed yet, but is most likely going to? The following are some typical signs of a failing serpentine belt:
Squealing Noises: If your serpentine belt has been stretched out, it can create a high-pitched squealing sound as it slides on different pulleys.
Glazing: If the belt appears glossy on its sides or bottom, it’s usually a sign it’s slipping — either from incorrect tensioning, or wear.
Burnt Rubber Smell: When a serpentine belt starts to slip, friction is created, which can somewhat melt its rubber. When this occurs, you might be able to smell when the engine is running.
Splitting, Cracking, or Frays: Noticeable cracks, missing pieces, separating layers, or fraying in your serpentine belt are indicators that it could snap at any time, leaving your vehicles accessories without power.
It’s usually recommended to replace the serpentine belt every sixty to one hundred thousand miles. Nevertheless, those numbers depend on the make and model of the vehicle, so it is recommended to go through your vehicle’s owner’s manual for more information.
When uncertain, you can go to an auto repair shop for a vehicle inspection — our technicians have an eye for locating possible issues before they have a chance of disrupting your commute.
Timing Belts and Chains
Subject to the make and model of your vehicle, it may have a timing belt or a timing chain — however, what’s the difference? They both achieve the same goal, but the material they are made out of establishes the name. When it’s made out of rubber, it is a timing belt, however, if it is made out of metal, then it is a timing chain.
It doesn’t matter about the material, your timing belt links your engine’s crankshaft, moving its pistons up and down, to its camshaft, opening and closing the intake and exhaust valves. By the synchronization of these movements, the timing belt guarantees your engine runs smoothly and effectually.
Indicator of a Failing Timing Belt or Chain
Should the timing belt or chain split, your engine typically will not have enough compression to start or continue running. If it is able to do so, its pistons could come in contact with the valves, causing serious engine damage. Be wary of these indicators of a bad timing belt or chain:
Vehicle Check Engine Light: In today’s vehicles, engine sensors might be able to identify a weakening timing belt. If they do, your check engine light is going to likely light up.
Ticking Noise: Lost teeth could cause the timing belt to skip or slap into the camshaft and crankshaft gears as it rotates around them, causing a ticking sound.
Misfiring: When the timing belt or chain starts to slip, it could cause your engine’s intake and exhaust valves to open and close at the wrong time, causing a misfire — an incident in which one or more engine cylinders fail to ignite. Banging or popping noises usually accompanies misfiring, which could feel like an unexpected power loss.
Oil Leaks: Oil that leaks from the front of your engine can indicate a timing belt cover issue, which could result in a belt failure in the future.
The Engine Doesn’t Start: Timing belts typically fail under load, so you are potentially going to experience an engine that unexpectedly shuts off rather than an engine that doesn’t start. Nevertheless, if you attempt to start or restart your vehicle with a broken timing belt, it is far-fetched to do so.
How Frequent Does a Timing Belt or Chain Require to Be Replaced?
It is subject to their material! If your vehicle has a rubber timing belt, it is going to typically need to be replaced around seventy to ninety thousand miles. Unscientifically, metal timing chains could have a longer lifespan, but they can still stretch or break after a while, so inspecting them around the same miles as their rubber equivalents is suggested.
Notice Any of These Symptoms?
Head to your local auto repair shop for inspection services — their trained technicians can diagnose vital engine parts such as timing belts and carry out vital preventative maintenance when required.
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