V-belt replacement - how to do it yourself? What should be avoided? How much does a mechanic cost?

How to change the V-belt to continue driving? Every driver should know the answer to this question. Of course, you can ask a mechanic to do the whole process for you. However, if you want to save some money or if you have a breakdown while traveling, do it yourself - replacing a V-belt in a car is not at all difficult. The following tips will make things easier for you. What exactly is this item? What are the symptoms of its destruction? How to replace the V-belt? Check it out yourself!

V-belt replacement - why is it so important?

To understand why regular replacement of your serpentine or V-belt is so important, you need to know what it does. First of all, it drives a water pump, an alternator or an air conditioner compressor. Therefore, if this part fails, individual devices will also fail. 

It doesn't end! The destruction of the belt means the end of the trip, as the design of the vehicle will not allow you to use it. How to replace the V-belt and prevent breakage?

V-ribbed belt replacement - when is it necessary?

The replacement of the V-belt must, above all, be carried out on time. To make this possible, it is necessary to systematically check the status of this element. This is the best way to prevent any crashes. 

Many drivers feel in their experience that something is wrong, and therefore it is time to replace the V-belt. It is worth noting that the durability of these elements is now much higher than a few years ago. If you rely on a quality part, it will not refuse you obedience from about 30 to even 80 thousand kilometers traveled. However, cheaper replacements fail after a dozen or even several thousand kilometers.

Replacing the V-belt in a car - signs of wear

Before you learn how to replace the V-belt, check when it is necessary. If the element is not tensioned correctly, you will hear an annoying squeak when the engine is running, which gets worse when it comes into contact with moisture. This means that you will have to deal with the annoying sound of a cold engine every morning. 

This symptom clearly indicates the need to replace the V-belt. Ignoring this can lead to serious problems. Postponing the replacement of the V-belt leads to wear of the pulley bearings, and in extreme cases, to the failure of the entire vehicle. How to replace a V-belt without the help of an experienced mechanic?

How to replace the V-belt yourself?

Do you want to know how to change the V-belt step by step? To begin with, carefully evaluate how the previous element was mounted. Remember that everything must return to the same arrangement. Although many people are able to go through the whole process intuitively, it is worth taking pictures of the installation. This will ensure that you have installed everything correctly. 

If you do not know how to replace the V-belt, follow the instructions below.

1. Replacing the V-belt should begin by unscrewing all the screws. Sometimes, instead of them, you will encounter a tensioner, which you will have to release using the appropriate key. 
2. After removing the old belt, you can proceed to install a new one. 
3. The next step is to correctly tension the belt according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Do this by turning the adjusting screw. 
4. Tighten the screws removed in the first step. 
5. Perform a tension check. If it is correct, the V-belt replacement was successful. 

V-belt installation - how much does it cost?

Replacing the V-belt in your car yourself will save you some money at work in the workshop. The element itself is not the most expensive, because you can buy it for several tens of zlotys. However, in this case, the most accurate statement is that the more expensive, the better. More expensive products are of better quality, resulting in longer run times. If you do not want to once again wonder how to replace the V-belt, choose a product from a well-known manufacturer. 

How much does a mechanic cost to replace a V-belt?

It's no secret that many people don't have the time or ability to change the V-belt themselves. If you are not up to it, you can ask a mechanic to do it. What is the cost of the service? While its average price in the workshop is around 5 euros, in the case of some cars you will pay 2 euros, and for others even 500. It all depends on the model and how complex the car is in terms of mechanics. 

Replacing the V-belt at the mechanic's is an inexpensive undertaking. You can also do it yourself. Remember to change the V-belt regularly. It's not just about driving comfort, but above all about your safety, your passengers and other road users. Regular replacement of the V-belt protects against the occurrence of larger, more expensive to repair breakdowns.