Ford Serpentine Belt Buyer's Guide

A serpentine belt delivers power to many of the engine's accessories. It's an important part to the engine. Without a serpentine belt, many different parts, such as the air conditioner and power steering pump, won't work at all.

If you own a Ford and if you'd like to learn more about serpentine belts, you came to the right place. This buyer's guide will answer some of the most common questions about Ford serpentine belts.

What Is A Serpentine Belt And Why Is It Important?

A serpentine belt is a long belt that's made of synthetic rubber and fiber cord. The outer surface of the serpentine belt is smooth. The inner surface has ribs that help the belt grip the pulleys better.

The serpentine belt is snaked through the pulleys on the front of the engine. It powers the alternator, which keeps the battery charged. It also powers various accessories like power steering, the water pump, air conditioner compressor, and so on.

This post offers a thorough explanation of serpentine belts and why they're important.

How To Diagnose A Failing Serpentine Belt

An OEM Ford serpentine belt has a lifespan of 60,000 to 100,000 miles. But it could always fail early. Do you suspect that your engine is running with a bad serpentine belt? This diagnostic guide will help you confirm whether your serpentine belt has gone bad. In a nutshell, you would need to:

• Give the serpentine belt a visual inspection for any signs of damage
• Check the serpentine belt's tension
• Make sure the serpentine belt is firmly put on all the pulleys

How To Replace A Serpentine Belt In A Ford Engine

Image Credit: MustangForums

To replace the serpentine belt in your Ford engine, you would need to:

1. Access the serpentine belt
2. Loosen the tensioner
3. Remove the old serpentine belt
4. Snake the new serpentine belt around the pulleys
5. Release the tensioner to tighten then new serpentine belt

It always helps to find a model-specific tutorial. We put one together for the Ford Fusion.

Are OEM Ford Serpentine Belts Better Than Aftermarket?

Are you trying to decide between OEM and aftermarket serpentine belts? This comparison guide will help you reach an informed decision. To sum it up, OEM serpentine belts are better than aftermarket belts because they last longer and fit the engine better.

OEM serpentine belts are made with higher quality materials that won't get damaged by the high temperatures in the engine. Also, OEM serpentine belts are better engineered. Many aftermarket serpentine belts are made with lower grade materials, and/or come with a universal design. Many aftermarket serpentine belts won't fit the engine as well as an OEM belt would. Serpentine belts are very important to the operation of the engine. That's why it's not worth taking any risks with an aftermarket belt. You can't go wrong with an OEM one.