Is a Timing belt same as a serpentine belt?

Question

when my wife went to the KIA dealership they wanted to charge her $400 for a timing belt install, told her it was also called a serpentine belt, but actually I'm not sure, that's why I'm asking. I thought most newer cars had only a serpentine belt these days. Is $400 the going rate on an import? Wouldn't a belt change be in most tune ups? sounds like the dealer is overcharging as always. Thanks.

Answer 1

Simple answer no.

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Timing belt drives the cams (the valves that opens and closes to let the pistons of your engine breath). Often timing belt will also drive the water pump (but not always).

The serpentine belt drives everything else like the AC compressor, alternator, power steering.

Usually when you open the hood of your car you will be able to see a black belt "snaking" around lots of pulley. That's why it is called serpentine belt. The timing belt is usually hidden inside few covers so not visible.

All Over Head Cam (or Over Head Valve) cars have timing belts (or timing chain). $400 for timing belt is little bit high but not for the dealer. As a comparison, I own an Audi A4 and the Audi dealer (in NYC) wants $1300 for timing belt & water pump ($900 for just the timing belt).

The cost of sepentine belt (part) is very cheap so the dealer might want to just replace that too (given they would have to take that off during the timing belt also). Your wife could have confused this as saying "they are the saming thing."

When you get your timing belt done, ask if the water pump is driven by the timing belt. If it is, you should get it replaced together. The reason is that the parts are fairly cheap but the labor is pretty high to get to these parts, so replaced them together (to save $$ down the line). Otherwise you will be spending another $400 few thousand mile down the road just to do the water pump.

These days, the only new part that goes into a tune-up is new spark plugs.

Good luck.

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Answer 2

Timing Belt Vs Serpentine Belt

Answer 3

Serpentine Belt Vs Timing Belt

Answer 4

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RE:
Is a Timing belt same as a serpentine belt?
when my wife went to the KIA dealership they wanted to charge her $400 for a timing belt install, told her it was also called a serpentine belt, but actually I'm not sure, that's why I'm asking. I thought most newer cars had only a serpentine belt these days. Is $400 the going rate on an import?...

Answer 5

A serpentine belt is NOT the same as a timing belt. The serpentine belt is a belt that runs the water pump, air conditioning pump, smog pump, and alternator, instead of two or three different belts running these things. The timing belt is very important and if your car has that many miles on it you would be smart to have it changed. If that belt should break you are looking at $1000. in repairs. A new timing belt job is somewhat costly but VERY well worth the cost.

Answer 6

I don't know anything about Kia's, but I have a 2001 Ford Escort ZX2. It has both a serpentine belt (aka drive belt) and a timing belt (which you can't see). The timing belt is responsible for synchronizing various parts in your engine so that it has the correct firing times for each cylinder, while the serpentine belt only provides power to the accessories (power steering, a/c, etc). In some cars, the water pump is run by the serpentine belt, which usually means it is fairly accessible and easy to change. In my car, the water pump is actually installed in the lower part of the engine and is driven by the timing belt. So if you have to get the timing belt changed, you should consider having other parts in that vicinity changed (to save on future labor costs) if you have a high mileage car. For my car, it would cost an arm and a leg (and possibly a kidney) to have only the water pump changed...so I will definitely have it changed when I get a new timing belt.

$400 sounds reasonable for having the timing belt replaced, assuming your car does have one....and also assuming that it's an ordeal to change the timing belt. In my car, various plastic covers/guards have to be removed, motor has to be dropped slightly (which could mean it has to be disconnected from the tranny...not sure). So in my car, it is an ordeal. Luckily, the service manual for my car says the timing belt should be changed every 130,000 miles...so not such a big deal. You should definitely check your service manual and see when it recommends changing the timing belt...and compare it to your actual mileage.

One last thing...some engines can be completely ruined if the timing belt breaks while driving. The term to describe this is interference. Some engines are interference engines, and some are non-interference engines. An interference engine (which you might have) would most likely be ruined if the timing belt breaks, so don't go too far over the suggested mileage before replacement...you definitely don't want it to break on you. Call a couple of independent car shops and ask them if they know what the mileage rating for your car's timing belt is. Dealerships are usually less than honest. If your car is under warranty, the timing belt should be covered if it fails under the suggested mileage. Otherwise, I would have an independent garage do the work. But do your research and find a decent and reputable mechanic. Ask them if there are any other parts that you should change that are in the timing belt area (like water pump, tensioner pulley, etc)...assuming it would save you a significant amount of money in future labor costs.

Answer 7

$400 dollars to change a Timing Belt is probably about right.

A timing belt needs to be changes every 60K - 70K miles. This belt is inside the engine and is the mechanism that opens and closes the valves. If it breaks while you are driving, you're looking at a seriously damaged engine and major repairs. So all car makers recommend timing belt changes at a regular interval.

A serpentine belt is what we used to call a fan belt. But now they are longer, wider and one belt runs everything. If it is wearing out you should be able to see the stress on the belt. It shouldn't cost more than $75 to change a serpentine belt.

Answer 8

serpentine describes the type of belt. It's flat with ribs as opposed to a V belt. It can be used for different applications. Also many timing belts are very difficult to access, so $400 may be reasonable. A timing belt change isn't included in a tune up.

Answer 9

Serpentine belts drive A/C alternator and power steering. Camshaft belts have teeth that engage cogs. to keep the valves opening at the right times. Tune-up term these days is a set of spark plugs replaced at 60 to 100,thousand miles only when the check engine light turns on. $400 actually sounds like a good deal for timing belt job guaranteed at dealer. But what else can they find under the timing cover while there in there? Three engine oil seals for starters... Add $100 seals and labor... Water Pump sir you really must think that the water pump could fail soon costing you all this labor lets do it now while the front is off the engine...$200 more And our technician noticed the top and bottom radiator hoses look soft brittle cracked add $90...Then for the culpable emissions service injector flush designed to flush money out of your wallet into there's (not required maintenance) look at maintenance in your owners manual. KIA and parent company Hyundai get real weird about we recommend it and you don't do it! We Void your limited 100000 mile power train warranty. That is why it is limited

Answer 10

No. A timing belt is used to keep the engine crankshaft and valve train properly sequenced or timed. A serpentine belt runs engine accessory drive items like the water pump, alternator,power steering pump, air conditioner etc. I,m not a KIA mechanic but timing belt installations can be tricky and expensive.