Just started up my car, heard a loud thunk, battery light came on, wheel wouldn't turn. Is that my timing belt? It was on the wheel thing in the center of the picture.

4/7/2011 2:17:58 PM

Not timing belt, serpentine belt. You can replace them for about $20-30, just go to Autozone or Pep Boys or whatever. Pretty simple if you have basic hand tools.

4/7/2011 2:23:08 PM

"Wheel thing in center of picture" is your alternator. It stopped providing juice when the belt let go which is why your battery light came on.

I wouldn't run it until fixed unless you know that there is a different belt for the water pump. If this belt services the water pump the car will crank, but you'll overheat.

Also, You could have a locked up pulley which will shred the belt pretty quick. See if they'll turn by hand and if they grind or have lots of play.

[Edited on April 7, 2011 at 2:35 PM. Reason : s]

4/7/2011 2:32:12 PM

Don't drive it; the water pump's driven by the serp. belt. '04 4-banger Camry doesn't have a timing belt (it's a chain).

Takes about a half hour to install a new belt if all goes smoothly.

4/7/2011 2:55:02 PM

They all spin smoothly. This belt was really old. I think I'm gonna take a whack at this myself and see how it goes.

4/7/2011 2:55:26 PM

Do yourself a favor and buy a Haynes manual for your car while you're at the parts store. If you don't have much experience with auto repair it'll save you a lot of head scratching.

4/7/2011 8:43:15 PM

haynes manuals are terrible, just take your laptop and google what you need if you get caught up. that cars popular enough where you should be able to find what you need.

4/7/2011 8:44:51 PM

I'm curious how many miles it broke after.

4/7/2011 8:52:54 PM

I've got 188k on my original belt. It's looking a little dry and cracked like an 80 yr old twat. Maybe I should replace it.

4/7/2011 9:51:32 PM

Spend the money and get a gates belt.

4/7/2011 10:31:09 PM

Gates is decent...but Dayco's Top Cog is better. Goodyear and Kelly Springfield make good belts as well.

Go get you a factory belt for ultimate longevity. Mitsuboshi (yes, that's correct) for the win.

4/7/2011 10:56:37 PM

I thought gates or kelly bought goodyear

4/8/2011 7:32:49 AM

Tried and failed to put on the belt. Tow truck driver tried and failed to put on the belt. Turns out the cause was a fucked up tensioner. Took it to the shop, got it replaced, and now I'm poor.

4/8/2011 6:00:42 PM

Wow!

4/8/2011 10:48:19 PM