Jeep Patriot Serpentine Belt Replacement Cost Estimate (2024)

What is a serpentine belt?

The engine in your car has many roles to fill. It has to do more than move. It also has to generate electricity, assist with power steering, cool off the passengers, and keep itself cool. The serpentine belt - sometimes referred to as the fan belt, alternator belt, or accessory drive belt - is used to spin, or "drive," several components attached to the engine. It drives the alternator that powers the electrical system and recharges the battery. It also drives the power steering pump, the air conditioning compressor, and the water pump. (The water pump circulates coolant through the cooling system). In the past, multiple drive belts were used to turn pulleys attached to these components. Today, most vehicles employ just a single belt - the serpentine belt - to do the job.

Jeep Patriot Serpentine Belt Replacement Cost Estimate (1)

How does the serpentine belt work?

As the engine's crankshaft pulley turns it drives the serpentine belt. In turn, the belt drives the pulleys for the other systems including the air conditioning, alternator, water pump, cooling fan, and power steering.

What are the symptoms related to a bad serpentine belt?

Over time serpentine belts stretch, crack, and the ribs that ride on the accessory pulleys being to wear smooth. A squealing noise that increases with engine speed or as engine driven accessories are turned on may be noted. The noise is caused by the belt slipping on the pulleys, insufficiently driving them. Ineffective air conditioning, a battery warning light, or intermittent power steering assist can result from this.»MORE: Symptoms of a bad serpentine belt

Can I drive with a serpentine belt problem?

A slipping belt means one or all of the accessories are not being driven properly. Loss of air conditioning, electrical power, power steering, or water pump and fan drive are possible depending on the severity of the wear. If left for too long the belt can shred or come off of the pulleys. The belt should be inspected as soon as is convenient to protect against becoming stranded.

How often do serpentine belts need to be replaced?

Replacement intervals vary by vehicle and driving conditions. We typically see this part replaced approximately every 100,000 miles.

How are serpentine belt issues diagnosed?

The technician will visually inspect the serpentine belt for wear or fluid contamination. The belts have grooves that locate them laterally on the accessory pulleys. These will be checked for cracking or chunking. On vehicles equipped with automatic belt tensioners there is usually a gauge on the tensioner that indicates how much the belt has stretched, this will also be checked.

How is a serpentine belt replaced?

The technician will loosen the tensioner to allow slack in the belt. After removing the old belt, the technician will route the new one over the accessories, then release the tensioner so that it puts tension on the belt. The vehicle will then be started to check that the belt has been properly routed.

RepairPal Recommendations for serpentine belt issues

High-quality serpentine belts are less likely to squeak and/or prematurely fail. The vehicle may have multiple tensioners and idler pulleys that the belts ride on. This would be a good time to inspect them for bearing wear and replace as needed. It is also important to inspect the accessory pulleys, especially in the case where a relatively new belt was shredded or thrown off. Worn or stuck pulleys can damage a new belt in short order.

What to look out for when dealing with serpentine belt issues

Belts can be referred to as serpentine belts, accessory belts, drive belts, fan belts, alternator belts, water pump belts, or V-Belts depending on vehicle application. It is important to order the correct one for your specific vehicle. Belts can also differ by optional equipment, such as air conditioning. Such cases will provide a range in belt size. When driving through large puddles, it is possible for water to splash up into the engine bay and get onto the belts and pulleys. This will not damage them, but a squealing noise may be noted, along with the alternator or battery light illuminating due to the alternator belt slipping. Additionally, leaking coolant or oil can cause belt issues. Coolant will act as a lubricant and cause the belts to slip, while leaking oil will also damage the belt's rubber.

Can I replace the serpentine belt myself?

The vast majority of serpentine belts only require simple tools to replace. However, the procedures vary wildly from car to car. Before ordering parts or attempting this repair yourself, look online for guides on how to replace the belts in your specific vehicle. Vehicles with transversely mounted engines are often more difficult to service due to lack of space between the engine and frame. Special tools to release and lock the belt tensioner may be required to perform this procedure.

Jeep Patriot Serpentine Belt Replacement Cost Estimate (2024)

FAQs

Jeep Patriot Serpentine Belt Replacement Cost Estimate? ›

The average cost for Jeep Patriot Serpentine Belt Replacement is $104.

How much should it cost to replace a serpentine belt? ›

The average cost for serpentine belt replacement is between $109 and $134. Labor costs are estimated between $57 and $72, while parts range between $52 and $62.

How long does it take for a mechanic to replace a serpentine belt? ›

Plus, replacement is relatively easy, and if you're wondering how long does serpentine belt service take, it's less than an hour for most vehicles.

Can a serpentine belt last 200 000 miles? ›

The serpentine replacement interval is about every 60,000 – 100,000 miles. Because of their rubber material, serpentine belts will crack, peel, and wear down over time.

How much does it cost to replace a jeep belt? ›

The average cost for a Serpentine Belt Replacement is between $129 and $149 but can vary from car to car.

What are the signs of a failing serpentine belt? ›

Bad serpentine belt symptoms
  • Squeaking, squealing or chirping sound from under the hood of the car.
  • Check engine light or battery light is illuminated on your dashboard.
  • A/C isn't working.
  • Power steering isn't working.
  • The engine's temperature is high or overheating.
  • Smell of burnt rubber.

Can I drive with a bad serpentine belt? ›

Since the serpentine belt helps provide power to cool the engine, a faulty belt can cause the car engine to overheat as the water pump will not turn. As soon as the engine begins to overheat, have it inspected by a mechanic as it can cause a breakdown and cause engine damage if left overheated.

Can I change my serpentine belt myself? ›

Replacing the serpentine belt is as simple as threading it into position, cranking the tensioner and slipping the belt over the tensioner pulley, or nearest pulley up top. Belt tensioners are mostly spring tension. Once installed, the spring retains pressure to the belt.

Will AAA replace a serpentine belt roadside? ›

If you should find yourself on the roadside with a failed serpentine belt, flat tire or other vehicle emergency, our skilled problem solvers are available 24/7 to provide help at your location.

How urgent is serpentine belt replacement? ›

While 60,000 miles require an inspection, 90,000 miles is when a replacement is recommended, even if it appears to be in tip-top condition. Replacing your belt at 90,000 miles can prevent serious problems from occurring, such as your power steering going out.

How to tell if a serpentine belt needs replacing? ›

Here are five signs of a failing serpentine belt:
  1. Signs of wear (cracking, glazing, fraying, etc.)
  2. Squealing or chirping sound (indicates a slipping belt)
  3. Performance loss (power steering failure, sudden car battery drain or stalled engine)
  4. Illuminated Check Engine Light.
  5. Unusual noises.
Jul 16, 2024

Do you have to replace a tensioner with a serpentine belt? ›

You can replace only the pulley, or you can buy a new tensioner with a new pulley attached, or you can buy a kit with a new belt, tensioner/pulley, and idler pulley if there is one, and do it all.

What happens when a serpentine belt breaks while driving? ›

A broken serpentine belt can result in a dead battery, an overheated engine, loss of power steering, and reduced driving comfort. It is crucial to address a broken belt promptly to avoid further damage and potentially expensive auto repairs.

How much does it cost to replace a timing belt on a Jeep Patriot? ›

The average cost for Jeep Patriot Timing Belt Replacement is $274.

How much does it cost to replace a tensioner and serpentine belt? ›

The average cost for the replacement is between $125 and $380. Nobody wants to drive around for any length of time with a ticking time bomb. If you hear a squeaking, squealing or grinding sound under your hood when starting your car, call Wrench today.

Is it OK to drive without a serpentine belt? ›

Only for a very short amount of time. Without the belt, neither the alternator nor the water pump will be driven. That means that the car battery will run down and the engine will overheat. Once either of those things happen, you'll have to stop driving and be stuck wherever you ended up.

How long should a serpentine drive belt last? ›

Your serpentine belt was made to last. Under ideal circumstances, a serpentine belt will last 60,000–100,000 miles. It's important to replace this belt as part of your vehicle's scheduled maintenance, even if it looks okay.

Is replacing a serpentine belt hard? ›

Replacing the serpentine belt is as simple as threading it into position, cranking the tensioner and slipping the belt over the tensioner pulley, or nearest pulley up top. Belt tensioners are mostly spring tension. Once installed, the spring retains pressure to the belt.

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