Your Nissan Altima engine relies on a many intricate, connected parts that get you the characteristic Nissan drive you cant live without. Many of these components connect via a series of belts, and the Serpentine Belt is among the most important ones.
Your Nissans Serpentine Belt is a strong, cyclical strap that transfers power to the power steering pump, alternators, A/C compressors, and, in some models, to the water pump, too. Sometimes the Serpentine Belt is called an accessory belt because it powers your Nissans peripheral devices.
Serpentine Belts are usually made of ultra-sturdy rubber thats specially designed to endure the heat and friction of transferring power from one part of the engine to the next. But, like other car parts, Serpentine Belts are subject to wear and tear.
Serpentine Belts can tear or crack with age, or they can malfunction if they become soaked due to coolant or oil leaks. Additionally, they can slip, lose tension, or become misaligned due to faulty tensioning mechanisms, which may result in needing to replace both the tensioner and the Serpentine Belt, or re-adjusting the belt, depending on its condition. A few signs that you might have Serpentine Belt problems include: weird rattling noises coming from the engine, lackluster A/C or power steering performance, engine sweltering, and visible signs of wear on the belt.
Generally, your Nissan Altima Serpentine Belt can last many thousands of miles, but its useful life can be shortened due to coolant leaks, oil leaks, and old tensioners. You should get your Altima Serpentine Belt inspected when you change your oil, or get a professional inspection from a Nissan service center in your area.
The Serpentine Belt replacement procedure varies depending on the type of tensioner mechanism it relies on. Consequently, its best to check your Nissans manual before replacing the Serpentine Belt yourself.
Without a doubt, youll need a Serpentine Belt thats designed to fit your Altima model and year, and a belt tensioner tool. If your Nissan has a hydraulic or manual tensioner mechanism, getting a Serpentine Belt replacement at a Nissan service center near you is highly recommended.
When youre ready to get started, take a photo of your Serpentine Belts current positioning and how it winds around your engines components. Then, detach the tensioner using a ratchet and gently unravel the Serpentine Belt, taking care not to mess with any accessories.
Once youve undone the old belt, check it for signs of engine oil or coolant leaks, tears, and breakage to identify any other issues that may not be resolved by just replacing the belt! Re-wind the new Serpentine Belt in the old ones place and re-activate the tensioner, tightening it with a wrench. Lastly, crank the engine and allow it to idle while you observe the new belts operation to ensure it is installed correctly.
Whether you choose to DIY your Nissan Altima Serpentine Belt replacement or get professional replacement services at your local Nissan service center, ensuring proper fitment of all your replacement parts is crucial. Why not buy Altima parts from the people who made your vehicle? Purchase a new Nissan Serpentine Belt guaranteed to fit your Nissan Altima 2007-2013. See the What This Fits tab for more details.
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