A serpentine belt is the belt connected around the alternator, steering pump, air conditioner, water pump, etc., that rotates once the engine is turned on. It helps to power the AC, alternator, etc. But, what happened when it goes bad? Can a bad serpentine belt cause rough Idle?
Yes, a bad serpentine belt can cause rough Idle. Since the serpentine belt powers the components it’s attached to, if it’s worn out or not properly tightened and fitted to the pulleys driven by the belt, it can cause the engine to run rough.
Can a Bad Serpentine Belt Cause Rough Idle?
The answer is yes, a bad serpentine belt can cause rough Idle.
If a small hose connected from one port to another in the engine can cause a huge vacuum leak, imagine driving a car with a bad serpentine belt.
The vibration and shakiness from the belt will be more noticeable when the car is on Idle and when it is running on low speed. A bad serpentine belt should be replaced immediately to avoid causing more damage to your car.
This is because, apart from causing rough idle, a bad serpentine belt can affect your air conditioner and prevent it from cooling very well. It can also affect your alternator and may prevent the Alternator from charging the battery. So, it is wise to have the belt replaced as soon as it has gone bad.
The good news is that, unlike the fuel pump which doesn’t give signs before going completely bad, a bad serpentine belt will alert you once it’s starts to fail.
Signs of a Bad Serpentine Belt
The signs of a bad serpentine belt are:
1. Squealing or Winning Noise
Squealing sound or winning noise has always been the first sign of a bad serpentine belt. This sound comes up to alert you that something is wrong with your belt.
You may hear this noise immediately after turning on your car which will stop ones the car warns up.
The sound may either come up immediately the car is turned on and stays on till you off the car. It can also come on immediately you turn your air conditioning on.
Once, you start hearing the sound/noise, please check your serpentine belt to be sure it has not gone bad.
However, it’s important to note that a bad pulley can also cause the noise. Your belt might still be in good condition, but if a pulley has gone bad, it can cause the noise.
Therefore, before concluding that the serpentine belt has gone completely bad, ensure it is not the pulley that is causing the noise.
2. Shaking Engine
If the serpentine belt is completely bad or is not attached to the engine, it can cause the engine to vibrate. This can affect the smooth riding you use to enjoy with your car.
3. Air Conditioner will not Turn On
A bad serpentine belt might affect your air conditioner. If the belt fails, it may just prevent the ac from cooling very well but if it has completely gone bad, the ac will not turn on.
4. Check Engine Warning Light
Your check engine warning light might come on if your serpentine belt has gone completely bad to the extent that it is slipping from its pulley. The engine light will come on to warn you about the danger and the need to have it replaced immediately.
5. The Belt Can Slip
If the belt has gone bad and has lost its grip, it can slip from the pulley. When this happens, it’s a clear sign that the belt needs to be replaced.
6. Hard Steering
If your steering wheel becomes stiff while trying to use it, it can be caused by a bad belt. Since the belt is connected to the steering pump, if it has gone bad, it might affect the way the steering works.
7. Overheating
Since the serpentine belt is also connected to the water pump, if it goes bad and fails to function properly, it may affect the water pump which might lead to overheating.
When to Replace a Serpentine Belt
The best time to replace a serpentine belt is when it has gone completely bad. Once the belt starts to fail, you will start to hear a squealing noise or winning sound, at this point, it is important to check if the belt is the cause of the noise, if it is, replace it immediately.
How Long can a Serpentine Belt Last?
A serpentine belt can last between 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
A serpentine belt is made with a durable rubber that last for so many miles as long as the car is not involved in an accident.
Can a Bad Serpentine Belt Cause Car to Lose Power?
Yes, a bad serpentine belt can cause car to lose power especially if it’s slipping because the belt drives the alternator which the electricity that charges the battery and powers the electronical components of the car.
If the belt starts to slip and could not spin the alternator at full speed, it will have a hard time generating enough electricity and the battery could die.
However, when the battery is not getting enough charge and the alternator is not functioning well, the car will definitely loose its power.
Conclusion
Every parts in the engine compartment are important irrespective of how small they seem. A bad serpentine belt can cause rough Idle which can easily be fixed by replacing the belt.
