Question:
Fan belt questions.?
anonymous
2008-04-23 19:58:04 UTC
What will happen if the fan belt on my car breaks? How much does it cost to replace it and how long does it take to replace? Can I do it myself?
Five answers:
Lab
2008-04-23 20:05:28 UTC
If your fan belt breaks, your car will overheat unless you are doing 60 mph (then it's not needed) unless it also drives the water pump. Doing it your self can be a pain in the *** if you don't have the experience or tools necessary to complete the job. Have a shop inspect the belt and if questionable, replace it so you don't have to worry about it.
007
2008-04-23 20:28:25 UTC
If your fan belt (now called serpentine) breaks, anything running off it will not work ....like a water pump, alternator, AC, ETC... You can buy one at most any auto parts shop...and I highly recommend you have one extra anyhow...because, if on a trip... late at night, most anyone can change one...but they have to have one to replace...and your not going to find one then.

If your car is older, it might still use fan belts. They are replaced by loosening the alternator, pushing it in till the belt can be taken off, then tightened back after the new belt is on.

On newer cars, the (serpentine) belt is held in place by a belt tension-er. You have to take a 3/8 inch drive ratchet to release the tension so you can remove the belt. Install the new belt the same way the old one ran...( their should be a sticker on the support bracket somewhere showing the belt path) You will have to hold the tension-er down (sometimes this can be hard) to slip the new belt over it. Check that you have the belt in place on all pulleys, before you start the engine

Most cars use the 3/8 ratchet, but your car might be different, have someone at the parts store look and see what you need to change the belt, and keep it, and a new belt in your trunk. (some times a piece of thick walled plastic pipe will help to give you some leverage to move and hold the ratchet...you slip it over the handle like a extension)
nyninchdick
2008-04-23 20:02:11 UTC
Depends on the car. If its a simple single drive fan belt (fan and/or alternator V-belt) the cost is about $20 and is quite simple to change. If its a newer style serpentine belt that runs all the accessories, the cost could go up to $50 or more and takes a little more time and expertise to change, and may require a special tool.
nicolasblueyes24
2008-04-23 20:03:31 UTC
if it is just the fan/srpentine belt, your car could possibly ovr heat.unless you have electric fans. also the power stering would go out making extremely tough to turn. may affect the water pump, if applicable a/c may/will not work either.
Steven E
2008-04-23 20:01:16 UTC
year make model...


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...