2014 kia Rio 1.6L Serpentine belt oddity

[Urshurak776]

Hi all. Found something odd. Gathering everything to swap spark plugs and do serpentine belt for the Kia Rio. The belt, bought a year ago, I have used the same brand and part number before. I have two belts (one for another car) so looked it up real quick to make sure I had the right belt, and it says it doesn't fit the car. It used to....

Looked on amazon, doesn't fit (no shock there,) but when I went to Rock Auto (where I bought it) it also says it doesn't fit. How could that have changed?

It's a

Continental OE Technology Series 4060495 6-Rib, 49.5" Multi-V Belt​

Also checked Autozone. Doesn't fit. Weird? It definitely used to fit. Bought the same belt before.

So, Bando 6PK1255 says it fits everywhere. It cross references to the Continental 4060495......

 

[zzyzzx]

I have seen this happen before. The serpentine belt tensioner was revised, and the new part uses a different sized pulley. The belt length is adjusted and nowhere under either part is this mentioned.

 

[dubber09]

Continental itself also lists 6PK1256 belt which is 49.45" long, as well as 4060498 which is 49.8" long.... hmm.

 

[Urshurak776]

Thanks all. I don't think I'll have an issue, I was just surprised. There is no tensioner on these cars. Just a sliding braket on the alternator mount. Very weird.....

I did buy a new idler, so, wonder if it's the same size as the old one? Not doing the work until tomorrow, but will be interesting to see.

 

[dubber09]

Good luck! Just don't overtighten the belt.

 

[Urshurak776]

Good luck! Just don't overtighten the belt.

Replaced idler and belt. I think you’re correct about not over tightening. I tightened it to about 3/8” deflection between too furthest points (best I could tell anyway.) So, belt is “looser” than the last one. I’m pretty sure the last one was too tight. Car runs fine and no noise, but if it chirps when it gets cold, I’ll just tighten the belt slightly. Does that seem good to you?

 

[dubber09]

IMHO, the belt will tighten up itself when it gets cold.
It'll stretch a bit with use thou, very little if quality belt.
Thing with too tight belt is you abuse bearings in alternator, AC compressor, idlers, tensioner if there is one.