What happens when water pump belt breaks?

As belts are used to power water pumps, AC units, and alternators, they tend to stretch over time. If either of these belts fail, it can have a serious impact on the operation of your vehicle. However, when the water pump belt breaks, it can lead to overheating, broken engine components or complete engine failure.

How much is a pump belt?

A typical serpentine belt start at around $25 and goes up to $75 at most. If you know some car repair basics, you could change the belt yourself, and it may save you paying labor charges somewhere between $75 and $120. All together, you’re looking at around $100 to $195 to replace your serpentine belt.

Can I drive without water pump belt?

Most vehicles do not use a serpentine belt to drive the engines coolant pump, driving such a vehicle without the serpentine belt is possible, but not advised. If however, your vehicles coolant pump is driven by the serpentine belt, driving without the belt will overheat and damage the engine.

What happens if belt breaks while driving?

So, what happens if it breaks? When a car drive belt breaks, it can spell disaster. First, it will cause your power steering to fail, which is especially dangerous if you’re in the middle of a turn. Plus, the alternator will stop working, which could jeopardize your electrical and electronic systems.

How much does a new car belt cost?

The average driving belt replacement cost is generally between $120 and $160 for the placement job, with the parts costing about $60 and the labor costing around $80.

How do you know when a belt is bad?

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Serpentine/Drive Belt

1. Squealing noise from the front of the vehicle. If you notice a squealing noise coming from the front of your vehicle, it could be from the serpentine belt.
2. Power steering and AC not working.
3. Engine overheating.
4. Cracks and wear on the belt.