

You hear a squealing noise when you start the engine.The following things can indicate problems with your belts:

The first step in keeping your belts healthy and functioning is being able to spot the problems ahead of time. A good mechanic will let you know if your timing belt needs to be replaced, and it’s a good idea to do so when recommended. Unlike the other belts, though, a broken timing belt will cause major – and expensive – engine damage. Much like the V-Belt and the Serpentine belt, the timing belt can wear down and break. Some cars do not use a timing belt at all, opting instead for timing gears or a timing chain. They can drive the oil pump or the balance shafts. Many times, timing belts are used for other reasons as well. Most engines have the timing belt enclosed, so you can’t see it just from popping the hood. Timing belts are wide and thin, but unlike other belts, the underside has tiny ridges, or “teeth,” to prevent it from slipping out of the cogged pulleys. It helps to synchronize their timing, hence the name. Timing Belts: Much different from a V-belt or a serpentine belt, the timing belt is what connects an engine’s crankshaft with its camshafts. It wraps around several pulleys in fact, this twisting is what gives the serpentine belt its name. The serpentine belt is flat on one side, with several small V-shaped grooves on the other. Serpentine: Most modern cars use a single serpentine belt for their accessories, which can put additional wear and tear on the component. Engines that use these tend to have several, each one driving a different accessory. V-Belt: With a name derived from its tapered V-shape, V-belts are common on older cars. But fortunately, belts and hoses are relatively easy to check – if you know what to look for. If any of these components cease to function, your car could face serious, expensive problems – from loss of engine coolant to your engine seizing up. They drive the alternator, water pump, and the power steering pump, among other things. Belts: What Do They Do?īelts are one of the most crucial moving parts in your engine. And if you didn’t already know that, then this article is for you. The belts that keep your car running are a perfect example.
#TIMING BELT VS SERPENTINE BELT DRIVERS#
Many drivers have a tendency to wait for something to break as an indicator that something’s wrong, but smart drivers understand that a little bit of regular maintenance can improve the life span of your car by years. We all know that gas goes in the gas tank, and air goes in the tires, but there’s so much more to be aware of. In fact, most drivers never look under their own hoods, unless something is broken. Sure, we all take drivers ed, but many of us never really delve into the actual parts that make the car work. There are hundreds of parts that all work together to keep your car on the road, but very few drivers know much about them.
