How much does it cost to replace a pulley and serpentine belt?

The Average Cost to Replace a Serpentine Belt Is $58 to $126 Depending on if You Go to the Mechanic or DIY. This price range is based on national averages for all vehicles and does not factor in taxes, fees, or your particular make and model. Related repairs or maintenance may also be needed.

How much does it cost to get pulley replaced?

Idler Pulley Replacement Cost

The cost to replace the idler pulley of your driver belt will usually be somewhere between $80 and $200. The cost for the new part should only be anywhere from $40 to $90, while the cost of the labor will be anywhere from $40 to $110.

Should I replace pulleys when replacing serpentine belt?

The pulley should spin evenly and not immediately stop or grind. If you see any of these problems, you should plan to replace all the pulleys associated with the serpentine belt.

How much does it cost for a serpentine belt replacement?

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 long does it take to replace a serpentine belt and pulley?

It usually takes approximately thirty minutes for a mechanic to replace a serpentine belt. With the right tools and equipment, an auto mechanic can complete the process within thirty minutes to an hour.

Idler Pulley, How to replace (EASY and CHEAP)

What happens if a serpentine belt breaks while driving?

If a serpentine belt breaks, a car won't be drivable and will have to be towed. If the engine runs without a serpentine belt, it might overheat as the water pump will no longer work. A broken belt can also damage other parts.

What does a failing serpentine belt sound like?

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.

How long can you drive with a broken serpentine belt?

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.

How long does it take to replace 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.

Does the serpentine belt affect the transmission?

A Broken Serpentine Belt Could Ruin the Transmission

If your car's serpentine belt breaks, the transmission could be damaged. Almost as soon as your car's serpentine belt breaks, the engine will begin to overheat. Without the belt running, the water pump won't be able to adequately cool your engine.

What else should I replace when replacing serpentine belt?

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. Every car engine is different, even engines from the same auto manufacturer.

How long do car pulleys last?

Replacement intervals for idler pulleys vary, but are usually within the 50,000 to 100,000 mile range. Replacement often coincides with expected serpentine/accessory belt replacement periods.

What happens if idler pulley breaks?

A broken or seized pulley can quickly lead to a torn belt, or in less serious cases, the belt falling off of the engine. An engine without a belt can quickly run into issues such as overheating and stalling, as it's the drive belt that allows the engine accessories to function.

What causes a pulley to break?

Improper Tension

If a belt is not tensioned properly, it will ride too loose or too tight on the pulley. A belt that's too loose on a pulley will cause slippage, which leads to heat build up from friction. This heat will damage your rubber belts and cause the belts to crack and break.

How do I know if my pulley serpentine belt is bad?

What happens if you don't replace serpentine belt?

You'll lose power steering, the A/C will quit, your battery will eventually die, and the engine might overheat. Plus, it could also damage the engine accessories it controls. This is why it is so important to get your serpentine belt replaced on a regular schedule.

Can I run my engine without serpentine belt?

The short answer is yes, your car will start even if the serpentine belt is broken or missing. To get the car going, the battery sends power to your starter motor. The starter motor provides enough power to get your engine moving and the combustion process started.

Is alternator belt and serpentine belt the same?

Sometimes called a fan belt, alternator belt, or accessory drive belt, the serpentine belt is spun by the engine crankshaft and, in turn, spins, or “drives”, the accessories. Cars of the past relied on multiple drive belts, but today's vehicles (usually) count on just one, the serpentine belt.

What causes the serpentine belt to break?

Serpentine belt problems usually result from one of three causes: a defective belt tensioner; misalignment of a pulley; or, defective bearings in the tensioner, idler, or one of accessories driven by the belt (including the water pump).

Does the serpentine belt affect the battery?

The serpentine belt does affect the battery.

The belt keeps the alternator spinning, and those rotations in turn power your: Steering system.

Does the serpentine belt affect power steering?

Serpentine belt failure can cause your car's power steering system to fail. It can also cause your alternator or water pump to cease to work. When these important systems halt, your engine will fail to function at an appropriate level.

How do I know if my alternator belt is bad?

If your serpentine belt is failing, you may notice performance issues with your vehicle. The vehicle may frequently overheat. Your air conditioning or power steering may fail to work or not work properly. You may notice your vehicle battery failing to recharge if the alternator is affected by a bad serpentine belt.