Belts are used in automobiles to connect and drive two shafts to the motion of a rotary by using pulleys in a series. This motion enables power to be transferred to various accessories that are mounted to the engine. Pumps, exhaust fans and air compressors are all examples of accessories powered in this way and are essential to the successful operation of the vehicle.
Classifications of belts:
Designed to fit into a groove shaped like a Vee, V-belts provide high-traction power. The Poly-V belt is also designed to provide a high-traction form of power, but is flat on the outside with multiple Vee-shaped grooves on the inside. Similar to the V-belts are V-Link belts. They are open-ended and do not require meal clamps. The V-Link belt is used only when other belts cannot reach or fit. They have a small load capacity and are costly items.
Flat belts are much lighter in weight and function better at high speeds. However they do tend to slip as they do not have a lot of traction. The Timing belt is one of the most important belts and is quite different to other types. It does not require friction to function, nor does it it have teeth. It also has a much smaller power capacity in comparison with other belts.
The function of drive belts:
The purpose of drive belts is to drive a variety of external parts of the engine. Even though these belts are very inexpensive, they have the ability to put a stop to a functioning vehicle if they break. In simple terms, if there is no belt to drive a part of the engine, that part will no longer function. One of the many accessories to rely on a drive belt is the water pump. The water pump is designed to circulates water through the vehicle's system, thus keeping it cool. If the water pump stops working, which happens instantly when the drive belt breaks, it takes only a short time for the engine to overheat. Although a broken drive belt is a large problem, a broken serpentine belt can be an even larger one. The serpentine belt drives multiple components at once, so if this belt breaks then multiple functions are compromised.
Why do drive belts break?
Drive belts are made of inexpensive rubber. Even if they do not wear out from use they will dry and crack over time. The belt will break as wear and tear compromises the integrity of the belt.
Are drive belts easy to replace?
In some cases, a basic understanding on the engine and its peripheral components is all that is needed to replace a drive belt. Serpentine belts, however, are more complicated. It may be best to let a mechanic replace these. Most professional mechanics recommend that the serpentine belt be changed every thirty-five thousand miles. These belts can last up to sixty thousand miles as can the timing belts.
Classifications of belts:
Designed to fit into a groove shaped like a Vee, V-belts provide high-traction power. The Poly-V belt is also designed to provide a high-traction form of power, but is flat on the outside with multiple Vee-shaped grooves on the inside. Similar to the V-belts are V-Link belts. They are open-ended and do not require meal clamps. The V-Link belt is used only when other belts cannot reach or fit. They have a small load capacity and are costly items.
Flat belts are much lighter in weight and function better at high speeds. However they do tend to slip as they do not have a lot of traction. The Timing belt is one of the most important belts and is quite different to other types. It does not require friction to function, nor does it it have teeth. It also has a much smaller power capacity in comparison with other belts.
The function of drive belts:
The purpose of drive belts is to drive a variety of external parts of the engine. Even though these belts are very inexpensive, they have the ability to put a stop to a functioning vehicle if they break. In simple terms, if there is no belt to drive a part of the engine, that part will no longer function. One of the many accessories to rely on a drive belt is the water pump. The water pump is designed to circulates water through the vehicle's system, thus keeping it cool. If the water pump stops working, which happens instantly when the drive belt breaks, it takes only a short time for the engine to overheat. Although a broken drive belt is a large problem, a broken serpentine belt can be an even larger one. The serpentine belt drives multiple components at once, so if this belt breaks then multiple functions are compromised.
Why do drive belts break?
Drive belts are made of inexpensive rubber. Even if they do not wear out from use they will dry and crack over time. The belt will break as wear and tear compromises the integrity of the belt.
Are drive belts easy to replace?
In some cases, a basic understanding on the engine and its peripheral components is all that is needed to replace a drive belt. Serpentine belts, however, are more complicated. It may be best to let a mechanic replace these. Most professional mechanics recommend that the serpentine belt be changed every thirty-five thousand miles. These belts can last up to sixty thousand miles as can the timing belts.
