Symptoms of a Faulty or Faulty Coil/Drive Belt

Common signs include a screeching noise at the front of the vehicle, power steering and air conditioning not working, engine overheating, and cracked belts.

A serpentine belt, also known as a drive belt, is a belt on an automobile engine that works with the idler, tensioner, and pulleys within the accessory drive belt system. It powers the air conditioner, alternator, power steering, and sometimes the water pump of the cooling system. The V-ribbed belt is an important part of this system and once the engine is started, it continues to run until the vehicle is turned off. Without a properly functioning V-ribbed belt, the engine may not start at all.

Typically, a V-ribbed belt will last up to 50,000 miles or five years before it needs to be replaced. Some of them can last up to 80,000 miles with no problems, but see your owner's manual for the exact service interval. However, over time the serpentine belt will fail due to the heat and friction it is exposed to every day and will need to be replaced. If you suspect that the V-ribbed belt has failed, look out for the following symptoms:

1. Creaking in the front of the car.

If you notice a squealing sound coming from the front of your vehicle, it could be due to the V-ribbed belt. This may be due to slippage or misalignment. The only way to get rid of the noise is to go to a professional mechanic and have them replace the serpentine/drive belt or diagnose the problem.

2. Power steering and air conditioning do not work.

If the V-ribbed belt fails completely and breaks, then your car will break down. In addition, you will notice the loss of power steering, the air conditioning will not work, and the engine will no longer be able to cool as it should. If the power steering fails while the vehicle is moving, it can lead to serious safety issues. Preventive maintenance is one way to make sure the belt doesn't break while driving.

3. Engine overheating

Because the serpentine belt helps provide power to cool the engine, a bad belt can cause the engine to overheat because the water pump won't turn. As soon as your engine starts to overheat, have it checked out by a mechanic because it can break down and damage your engine if it continues to overheat.

4. Cracks and wear of the belt

It's a good idea to inspect the V-ribbed belt from time to time. Check for cracks, missing pieces, abrasions, detached ribs, uneven rib wear, and damaged ribs. If you notice any of these, it's time to replace the serpentine/drive belt.

As soon as you notice a squealing sound, loss of steering, engine overheating, or poor belt appearance, call a mechanic immediately to further diagnose the problem. AvtoTachki makes it easy to repair your V-ribbed/drive belt by coming to you to diagnose or fix problems.