It may also not be possible to restore use of the vehicle without first repairing the bad power steering pump or A/C compressor, which precludes a simple roadside repair. In contrast, a timing belt is responsible for synchronizing the camshaft and crankshaft motions. Thus, it is possible to be stranded because of, say, a seized power steering pump or A/C compressor clutch. The serpentine belt transfers mechanical energy from the engine to the water pump, power steering pump, alternator, air pump, oil pump, and air conditioning compressor, among other peripheral components. Sometimes, this can be overcome with a shorter belt to bypass the failed components (if the belt is available). The belt typically gives ample visual warning of impending failure, sometimes even totally shedding several grooves (ribs) while continuing to function acceptably.įurthermore, the loss of function of a single component (such as a power steering pump or air conditioning compressor) causes the failure of the entire accessory drive. The vehicle becomes quickly unusable due to loss of engine cooling. A serpentine belt is used to power the car’s peripheral components while a timing belt is used to ensure that the camshaft and crankshaft rotate in proper timing. The water pump, power steering pump, and alternator (for battery charging) would cease functioning. The drawback of this single belt is that if the belt breaks or is knocked loose, the vehicle instantly loses multiple critical functions. Also since only one movable belt tensioner is required all of the peripheral components (alternator, A/C compressor, etc.) can simply be mounted to the engine without the need to swivel. ![]() The tendency for V-belts to "flip over" in the pulley groove (at high RPM and/or when the belt stretches) is eliminated, and a serpentine belt is also much easier to maintain and replace, since there is no need to remove multiple belts in order to replace one of them, although newer adjustable-length V-belts ("link belts") can be put on without having to remove other belts, and their link design also allows a self-tensioning characteristic to reduce the risk of flipping over. Reduced slip can allow the use of lower-ratio pulleys this reduces the load on the engine, increasing fuel economy and available power. Higher tension reduces slip, which increases belt life and mechanical efficiency. By using a single, wider belt instead of multiple, thinner belts, the belt may be put under increased tension without stretching. It is more efficient than the older multiple belt system and may consume less space in the engine compartment. ![]() Some vehicles use two serpentine belts for their system, such as the manual transaxle equipped Ford Taurus SHO, 1995–1999 DOHC Nissan Maxima, vehicles using the supercharged GM 3800 engine, and many BMWs. This is typically limited to components requiring less torque or where a large angle of wrap is present. Although, as we mentioned above, if a V belt broke, it did not put a major wrench in the works, while a severed serpentine belt will, the job of replacing the. On some engine designs, the "back" (smooth side) of the belt may drive some accessories.
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