Drive belt wear is a normal part of vehicle use.
Our technicians look for belt problems during their courtesy checks.
Eventually, belts may develop cracks or become loose. Leaks are another issue we want to keep an eye out for and address.
If your car has some sort of leak, the fluid can get onto the belt and cause damage. This occurred on a BMW 535xi.
Broken drive belt on BMW 535xi
On the BMW, an oil leak led to the drive belt breaking.
When we pulled the crank pulley, we found that the belt was sucked up into the timing case and destroyed the front crank seal.
There was an excessive amount of belt material in the timing case. The Master Technician who was working on the car recommended replacing the timing chains, guides and sprockets. We also needed to pull the oil pan to check the oil pickup and oil pump.
Additionally, the belt was wrapped so tightly in the a/c compressor that it wasn’t going to come out. So, we would have to install a new compressor, as well.
A broken drive belt isn’t the only possible result of leaks. They can cause the serpentine belt to slip, too. This could keep the parts it surrounds from running properly.
Why you shouldn’t put off belt replacement
The drive belt getting sucked up into the engine when it breaks is a common problem on certain BMW models.
BMW drivers should listen to their engine noise. Any kind of belt chirp or humming noise from the front end of the engine could indicate that bearings are going bad.
It’s a good idea to resolve oil leaks early on. Drive belts are just one component that leaks can impact.
If an auto repair shop tells you that fluid is dripping on your vehicle’s drive belt or the belt is worn, don’t wait to have it replaced.
We recommend changing timing belts and serpentine belts if they are 10 years old or the vehicle has hit 100,000 miles.
Belt replacement may not seem like a major concern, but this service can help you avoid expensive consequences.
For the BMW 535xi, it could have saved the driver thousands of dollars in repairs.
Taking your car to a reliable auto repair shop
You can avoid a lot of unexpected issues by taking your car to a trustworthy and dependable auto repair shop.
Finding a place that looks over different items and gives you an update on the vehicle’s health can help you become aware of and plan for future maintenance needs.
It’s important to work with automotive technicians who know what they’re doing and won’t cut corners. During belt replacement, for example, sometimes related parts need to be changed with it.
Using high quality components that are going to last a while is vital, too. Not only does this ensure your safety but it prevents additional repairs.
You should also beware of shops that don’t charge for diagnostic testing. Those are typically places that will throw parts at a car and won’t take the time to look into the problem.
A shop charging diagnostic fees is a good thing because they will remove the belt and check the pulleys to make sure there isn’t an underlying cause.
HomeTowne Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Michelin and BFGoodrich tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.