Serpentine Belt vs Timing Belt: What Sets Them Apart From One Another?

A serpentine belt is a single, long belt that runs constantly. It is found on the outside of the engine block. The serpentine belt is ribbed, long, thin, black, and rubbery on the outside. It powers the essential engine accessories, such as power steering, alternator, water pump, oil pump, and cooling fan. Thus, the serpentine belt aids in ensuring that the engine runs in an ideal manner at all times.

The "serpentine" belt is called so because it moves like a snake. In addition to being a continuous belt in the shape of a snake, it curls around on other attachments such as power steering, alternator, water pump, oil pump, and cooling fan to supply them with power. All of these auxiliary engine components would experience problems or cease to function altogether if the serpentine belt malfunctions.

• Serpentine belts take up less area and are more efficient than the older multiple drive belts such as v-belt.

• A serpentine belt can withstand an increase in tension without stretching. The increased tension minimizes slip, increases belt life, and improves mechanical efficiency.

• During the replacement process of the serpentine belt, there are no other belts such as alternator belt, timing belt, etc. that are required to be removed. A serpentine belt is significantly simpler to maintain and replace.

• Because only one serpentine belt is required for all peripheral components, a serpentine belt can be installed on the engine without swiveling.

• The serpentine belt acts as a multiple drive system that reduces the number of belts in the engine compartment, in turn, decreasing the load on the engine and the power requirements to operate. These characteristics result in significantly improved fuel mileage.

Serpentine belts, being strong, usually endure a long time. They should last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles under optimal conditions. While serpentine belts are built to survive, it is a good idea to include them in your preventive maintenance routine.

Replace the serpentine belt when it is nearing the end of its useful life. Do not wait for it to fail before replacing it. You could be traveling alone on the highway when it snaps. If you're unsure how many miles it's been driven, have it checked by a skilled mechanic.

Fortunately, serpentine belts are inexpensive to get. The cost will vary based on the vehicle model's engine configuration and the manufacturer's suggested belt. In general, serpentine belts cost between CAD$ 6 to CAD$ 200 on the PartsAvatar website.

Timing belts are constructed using rubber and have strong teeth that may interlock with camshaft and crankshaft gear wheels. To drive the camshaft via the crankshaft, a timing belt is needed. A camshaft is a revolving metal shaft that contains cams for valve timing. This is why the engine has excellent valve operating timing: for every two crankshaft rotations, there is a single camshaft rotation. 

The timing belt is one of the most critical automotive components because it keeps your engine running at peak performance. Without the timing belt, your engine would misfire, resulting in power loss. The timing belt is concealed within the crankcase and is difficult to notice.

• Timing belts have high torque carrying capacity.

• They don’t cause slippage between the belts and pulleys.

•  A timing belt doesn’t require lubrication as it runs smoothly without lubrication.

• Timing belts transfer power to drive the camshaft via the crankshaft at a constant speed.

• The timing belt is rust-resistant.

• Timing belts produce low noise and vibration.

• They have high mechanical efficiency. 

  
  

The timing belt in your car is in charge of maintaining the precision required by your engine's activities. It essentially coordinates the camshaft and crankshaft rotations so that the engine's valves and pistons work in coordination. The projected lifespan of your timing belt varies depending on your vehicle and engine layout. However, it usually lasts between 60,000 and 100,000 miles (you can find your car's service schedule in the manufacturer's manual).

The manufacturer's recommended intervals are a good starting point; you won't need to replace your timing belt any sooner. However, if you're approaching your service interval and have concerns about the health of the timing belt, you might as well replace it sooner rather than later. It will be less expensive than waiting till the timing belt fails.

A timing belt replacement depends on the car model and make. Costs for purchasing a replacement timing belt before it breaks vary  from CAD$ 8 to CAD$ 304 on PartsAvatar website.

The timing belts and the serpentine belts are quite different and have distinctive purposes in your car, even though your engine's crankshaft powers both of them. The power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor, water pump, etc. are all driven by the serpentine belt. As an alternative, the timing belt links the crankshaft and camshaft to synchronize the engine's pistons and valves. Serpentine and timing belts are both essential for an engine's smooth operation.

There are several differences between a serpentine belt and a timing belt, and they are as follows: