Serpentine Belt Replacement Cost

The serpentine belt, sometimes referred to as the drive belt, winds its way through the front of your car’s engine like a snake, essentially replacing the multiple belts that were used in older vehicles.

Responsible for driving your car’s components, such as the a/c compressor, alternator, power steering pump, and water pump, to name a few, if the serpentine belt broke, then some of these systems may shut down because of it as the belt is responsible for sending power to each of these systems via your car’s air injection pump.

Failing to replace it could likely lead to a hefty car repair bill in the future.

“Reinstalling serpentine belt” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by osunick

How much does it cost to replace a serpentine belt?

The costs of replacing a serpentine belt greatly depends on the make/model of the car you drive, the mechanic you hire and where you live.  For just the parts, most serpentine belts retail for , but if you needed to hire a mechanic to replace it, then the costs could increase to anywhere from the shop minimum, often around $75 to as much as $200 if the part is difficult to access and/or install for both the parts and the professional install.

RepairPal.com notes the average cost of a serpentine belt replacement can cost anywhere from $76 to $164, with labor estimates in the $35 and $100 range, whereas parts could cost $41 to $64.

A few members on Slickdeals.net talked about the costs they had paid for their serpentine belt, with one member saying he was quoted $240 at Midas and $160 at a dealer, while a local shop was the cheapest at $75.  Another member on the forum thread said they paid $20 for the part at Autozone and it took about 20 minutes to replace it on their own, noting it was a pretty easy job.

How did we get these estimates?  We browsed hundreds of message boards and third-party quote engines to gather an estimate, offering you a glimpse as to what you should pay for both labor and parts.

What is the serpentine belt?

The serpentine belt, as you could tell in the introduction, has many roles to fill as it has to more than just spin while the car is running.  Aside from moving, it has to generate the car’s electricity, assist with the power steering, keep your cabin cool while driving and even keep itself cool.  As it’s spinning, it’s driving the pulleys for the other systems, including the air conditioner, alternator, cooling fan, power steering, and the water pump.  Working with the several components attached to the belt – the alternator, which recharges the car battery and powers the car’s electrical system as well as the water pump, which circulates the coolant, the air conditioner compressor and the power steering pump, in older vehicles, multiple belts could be found attached to the components noted; however, today, there’s usually one serpentine belt to get the job done.

Serpentine belt repair process

First, to ensure the serpentine belt is, indeed, the culprit, your mechanic will first want to visually inspect the belt for any wear, tear and/or cracks.  This is usually spotted within the belt’s grooves.  On newer vehicles with an automatic belt tensioner, then there’s usually a gauge that displays how much of the belt has been stretched.

After the belt is confirmed to be the problem, the tensioner is loosened, allowing the belt to slack so that the mechanic can successfully remove it.   Once removed, the new belt is routed over the accessories and the tensioner is released to put tension on the new belt.  The car is then started to make sure the belt routes the way it should and any necessary adjustments are made at this time.

The entire process is relatively fast, often taking a seasoned mechanic less than 20 minutes to replace.

Bad serpentine belt symptoms

• If your serpentine belt does break, then it will often be hard to turn the steering wheel
• During the colder mornings, squealing noises may come from the engine when starting the car and/or taking sharp turns
• Other common symptoms may include an overheated engine and/or illuminated battery light on the dashboard
• Slapping sounds coming from the engine compartment often means the belt has slipped and needs to be readjusted
• Ineffective air conditioning can also be a sign of a poor serpentine belt

How long does a serpentine belt last?

Typically, your serpentine belt is inspected every oil change, but on average, most belts crack and/or eventually wear down every 100,000 miles.  Today, these belts are made to last much longer than ones built in the past due to the advancements in rubber technology.  While the belts can last up to 100,000 miles, there may be a time when the belt needs to be adjusted or manually tensioned.

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Average Reported Cost: $164.17

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How much did you spend?

1. Sam (Raleigh ,  North Carolina) paid $228 and said:

   Had a nasty smell coming from the engine and found it was the belt. For labor and the part.

   Was it worth it? Yes
   

2. Mary L (Dallas,  Texas) paid $68 and said:

   Local mechanic who I always go to just charged me for 1/2 hr labor and the part, about $20 I believe.

   Was it worth it? Yes
   

3. Laurie (Huntsville,  Alabama) paid $86 and said:

   Was visiting relatives when I started to hear a clunky squeaky noise. Thankfully was on the road near a Midas here. Brought it in and they immediately suspected the belt and quoted $86.. seemed to be fair?

   Was it worth it? Yes
   

4. Drew (Birminghame,  Michigan) paid $229 and said:

   I kind of suspected I was ripped off at my local dealer! First they charged a $100 diagnostic fee and another $100+ in parts and labor. Looking at these other comment, I feel I got ripped off and will make sure I leave a poor review for the dealer!!

   Was it worth it? Yes
   

5. Lauren (Erie,  Pennsylvania) paid $195 and said:

   Came in for an oil change and dealer noted I needed a new belt? I didn’t think much of it since he said it was for preventative purposes. Not sure if I should have replaced but kind of upset a $30 oil change turned into $200.

   Was it worth it? Yes
   

6. Wayne (Decatur,  Georgia) paid $179 and said:

   Besides the belt, also had the water pump and some spark plugs replaced at a local mechanic.

   Was it worth it? Yes