Signs You Need to Replace Your Serpentine Belt in Your Land Rover
Every part of your vehicle has a projected lifespan. For some parts of your car, that could be decades. For others, it’s a handful of years or maybe mere months. Serpentine belts are one of those parts that will inevitably need to be replaced as your car ages. But how do you know when to replace it? Keep reading to learn the signs you need this type of Land Rover repair in Houston, TX.
What’s a Serpentine Belt?
If you’ve never heard of a serpentine belt, it’s probably because you’re used to hearing it called by other names, like a drive belt or a fan belt. This flat, ribbed belt is pulled along by the crankshaft pulley in the engine and drives many of the accessories in the engine, including the following:
- Alternator
- Air compressor
- Water pump
- Power steering pump
- Air pump
A failing serpentine belt impacts the functionality of all of these accessories and can lead to additional problems and damage to the engine.
Signs the Belt Is Failing
Serpentine belts can stop functioning for a number of reasons. Perhaps it’s loose, too tight, misaligned, or maybe it’s simply worn out over the years. Whatever the cause, there are three primary signs that will indicate a problem with the serpentine belt:
- Battery troubles – If your battery isn’t charging properly, but all battery tests indicate that there’s nothing wrong with the battery itself, the problem could be your serpentine belt. A belt that’s loose or otherwise inoperable can’t drive the alternator fast enough for optimum functionality. This can cause the battery to not charge correctly or even to lose charge.
- Unexplained squealing – A lot of things in your car can cause a squealing sound, and none of them are good. If your car makes a strained, squealing sound when you start the engine, it can be a sign that your serpentine belt is misaligned or is too tight. Excessive tension on the belt puts it at a higher risk of snapping and damaging other parts of the engine.
- Overheated engine – As we mentioned earlier, your serpentine belt helps the water pump in your engine to function properly. If the belt isn’t operating, then the engine’s water pump won’t operate either. If you notice your engine’s temperature is higher than normal, it could be caused by a misaligned belt. If the belt snaps entirely, your engine could feasibly overheat in a matter of minutes, so you certainly want to take care of this problem sooner rather than later.
- Visible wear and tear – Pop open the hood of your car and look inside to check the condition of the serpentine belt. If you notice fraying, cracking, peeling of the rubber, or a glossy shine on the surface of the belt, it’s worn out and needs to be replaced.
If you notice any of these issues with your serpentine belt, bring it into Bemer Motor Cars for Land Rover service in Houston, TX. We can also provide regularly scheduled maintenance for your Land Rover to ensure your serpentine belt is always in good shape.