A serpentine belt has multiple V-shaped grooves that run vertically along the belt. A timing belt has horizontal “teeth” designed to fit the cogwheels of the crankshaft and camshaft. You can easily tell the difference between the two when you look at the grooves. It connects the engine crankshaft on the outside of the engine to all of the engine accessories. The serpentine belt is what keeps the engine accessories running smoothly and efficiently.

This ensures that the engine intake and exhaust valves open and close in time with the pistons so the engine runs smoothly. The timing belt is located inside the engine and keeps the crankshaft and camshaft in sync. The serpentine belt and timing belt have very different functions in your vehicle. Timing Beltĭon’t get confused a serpentine belt is not the same thing as a timing belt. The serpentine belt is one long, snaking, winding belt that keeps your alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning, and in some cases, your water pump running smoothly and effectively. Well, it won’t keep your pants up, but it does transport power to your vital automotive components. Serpentine Belt Diagram What does a Serpentine Belt Do? Plus, it could also damage the engine accessories it controls. While using just one belt is the most efficient and reliable option, it also means that when your car’s serpentine belt breaks, everything stops working! You’ll lose power steering, the A/C will quit, your battery will eventually die, and the engine might overheat. This is because vehicles used to have multiple drive belts that connected the engine to the accessories (such as the radiator fan).īut modern vehicles (usually) just have one belt that winds through multiple pulleys to power all the accessories. You may have heard a serpentine belt referred to as a fan belt or accessory belt. In most cases, it features a serpentine belt tensioner that ensures your serpentine belt is at the optimum tension to efficiently move power around your engine blow. Starting from there, it makes its way around your engine block, delivering power to all of the aforementioned vehicle systems. It’s a long, winding rubber band of sorts that is attached to your crank pulley. In some cases, it also supplies power to your water pump. What is Serpentine Belt?Ī serpentine belt is a long rubber belt that transports power to your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. A serpentine belt is an important part of your vehicle’s engine block, but do you know what a serpentine belt really is? And what does a serpentine belt do? Where is the serpentine belt, and how long does your serpentine belt last? Read on to learn more about this vital piece of your vehicle that is responsible for powering your alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor.

Serpentine belt vs timing belt