What If Your Car Engine Belt Fails?

If your car suffers engine belt failure, it will need to be towed to the closest mechanic — you won’t be able to fix it on the roadside.

Why does an engine belt slip off, crack or break?

Functions of Each Engine Belt

Your engine has two main belts: the serpentine belt and the timing belt.

Vehicles used to have multiple V-belts, but modern cars have serpentine belts instead. This type is long and flat on the outside with grooves on the inside. It’s responsible for powering the alternator, water pump, power steering pump, cooling fan and A/C compressor.

The timing belt, also called a Gilmer belt or a camshaft drive belt, controls the synchronization of the engine’s pistons, valves and other internal parts. While both belts are important, the failure of this one can result in significant engine damage that’s extremely expensive to repair.

Serpentine Belt Failure Is Inconvenient

When the serpentine engine belt breaks or slips off its pulleys, you will immediately lose power steering, air conditioning and battery charging. You will be forced to pull over and your car will not be drivable until the part is replaced.

The good news? They typically only cost a few hundred dollars to fix. You will need to call a tow truck and you may be without your car for a few hours or a day, but in the end your vehicle will be fine, unless there is a complication.

Serpentine belts typically fail after they’ve lasted for 50,000 miles, so it might be a good idea to change it before you reach this marker.

Timing Belt Failure Is Serious

When a timing belt breaks, the situation is a bit more serious. Your car will immediately stop working. You may hear a cranking sound or the engine may run rough. Since the engine’s function is no longer aligned, the pistons may collide with the valves and cause severe engine damage.

Whether you have a timing belt or a timing chain, replacement can be costly if there was engine damage as the result of the breakdown. Between labor, parts and extra engine repairs, costs can climb into the thousands.

It’s best to replace this component between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, before it shows signs of trouble. 

Don’t let a broken engine belt derail your day — get a mechanic’s opinion on preventive maintenance and keep your car engine in good health. If you do break down because of a failed engine belt, rely on Stauffer’s Towing to transport your vehicle quickly so you can get swift repairs and get back on the road soon.