Car trouble · Routine upkeep

My serpentine belt is cracked

You or a shop noticed cracks in the long rubber belt on the front of the engine. If it breaks, the car can lose charging, power steering and cooling.

Get to it this week

A starting point, not a diagnosis. Most parts stores read check-engine codes and test batteries for free.

Likely causes — tick the parts you want

  1. A belt worn out with age

    most likely · Doable with tools and a free afternoon

    How to check: With the engine off, look at the ribbed side of the belt. Several cracks within an inch or two, or ribs with chunks missing, mean it is time to replace it.

  2. A worn tensioner or idler pulley

    possible · Doable with tools and a free afternoon

    How to check: With the belt off, spin each pulley by hand. Grinding, wobble or roughness means that pulley should be replaced with the belt.

  3. A misaligned pulley wearing the belt

    less likely · A mechanic’s job

    How to check: If a new belt wears fast or frays along one edge, a pulley may be out of line. Have a mechanic look before fitting another belt.

Be careful

Keep hands, hair and loose clothing well away from the belt and fan whenever the engine is running, and take the key out before working on it.

Your car — the counter needs this

If the counter doesn’t have a part, your shopper asks them to order it under your name and messages you the order number. When it comes in, send someone to collect it.

Not quite it?

My car is due for an oil changeI need new air filters
My serpentine belt is cracked — likely causes and the parts · DriverRuns