difference between drive belt and timing belt

Several V belts on older engines have been combined into one serpentine belt on newer engines.A narrow, deep V-belt design evolved into a wide, flat belt with teeth.Improved material quality lets belts last much longer.Serpentine belts are much longer and wider than older V belts.Some of the biggest changes we’ve seen over the years include: Other times, they evolved to provide better performance and longevity. Sometimes they evolved along with engines. How The Belts Have Changed Over The YearsĪll the belts have evolved over the years. When that happens, the accessories it powers will stop running, and the vehicle will need to be towed. It’s possible for a serpentine belt to crack, fray, or even break early on. It’s wise to include the serpentine belt in your routine inspection, though. When the serpentine belt spins, it powers all the engine accessories, including:Ī serpentine belt usually lasts 60K-100K miles. This helps the belt stay in contact with the pulleys and transmit greater amount of power. The crankshaft makes the serpentine belt spin. All serpentine belts are ribbed to increase contact surface with the drive and driven pulleys. You can find the serpentine belt on the front or side the engine. That’s why it’s called a serpentine belt. The belt is long and snakes through several pulleys. The serpentine belt goes by a couple of different names: accessory belt and drive belt. The invention of the serpentine belt changed that. V-belts are belts with deep grooves that resemble the letter V.

For example, an older engine may have several v-belts. In the old days, engines had many belts that powered various parts. Without an alternator belt, the battery won’t stay charged. Depending on the design of the engine, the alternator belt may also power the power steering pump. It’s a small belt that powers only the alternator. If the serpentine belt is not powering the alternator, then the engine has an alternator belt. So it’s a good idea to check the fan belt during routine inspections. That will cause the engine to overheat, which may lead to costly repairs. If the fan belt breaks, your engine is no longer cooled. It can power the following parts within the cooling system:īy powering the cooling system, a functioning fan belt does the following: In other engines, the fan belt powers it. In some engines, the serpentine belt powers it. The cooling system needs a belt to power it. If you decide to do the job yourself, this post has good tips that will help your job go smoothly.Īt GMB, we offer a complete kit that contains an OE quality timing belt and water pump for your make and model. This post explains why it’s a good idea to replace the timing belt and water pump together. Chances are high that pump would fail before the next timing belt wear out. It’s recommended to change out the water pump even if the part is still running fine. It’s always wise to replace the timing belt and water pump together. Water pumps last the about same amount of time. Some timing belts can last as long as 110K miles. Timing belts usually go bad after 90K miles. This ensures that the valves open and close at the right time. It powers the engine’s camshaft and keeps it exactly in sync with the crankshaft. Also called a gilmer drive belt many years ago, the timing belt has two jobs. It’s attached to the crankshaft and camshaft via several pulleys. If you look at the front of the engine under the timing cover, you’ll find a tooth belt in some cases (although in most current vehicles, this belt is replaced by a chain).

Let’s talk about some of the most common belts found in engines. The number of belts your engine has depends on: To put it simply, a belt powers a part (or a set of parts) within the engine. Belts are simple parts, but they play an important role in the operation of the engine.

Difference between drive belt and timing belt