A dumb question about belts

[Jimmy9190]

I have a Napa serpentine belt for my truck that has been hanging up on the wall in my tool shed for a little over 2 years now. I ran it only for a few miles but ended up getting the higher quality (more expensive) Napa belt because of a problem with the tensioner. I curled it back up and put the cardboard package on it and it has been hanging since Feb. 2006 in a non-climate controlled shed. It's time to change the belt out now, and I am asking if anyone knows whether the belt is OK to use or does moisture, heat, humidity and a little cool weather have any affect on the belt? It looks OK but I am wondering about it.

Thanks for your help.

 

[John_K]

I replaced one on my Dakota once because it was squeaking. There was nothing visibly wrong with it so I kept in the shed for a few years. The new one squeaked too, so when it wore out I put the old one back on with no problems.

John

 

[pbm]

I'd have no problem using it. I still have the original belts in both of my cars which have seen 6 and 7 NY winters. I'll change both soon but they have seen variations from 0*F to probably > 150*F for years. I doubt your belts have ever seen below freezing.

 

[glennc]

I think a belt should be fine until it shows visible signs of wear. That might happen faster with one that's been stored for years, but I wouldn't have a problem using it. Realistically there will probably not be much difference.

 

[Bob The Builder]

It should be ok, but to be safe, look at it closely for signs of cracking. If you bend the belt in either direction, you will see cracking if for example, it was in a very dry/hot environment.

If you do see any sign of cracking, I wouldn't use it. If there is no cracking, then the belt is still pliable enough to be installed.

 

[SHOZ]

Cracking is not a reason to change a belt. It's when the ribs start to chunk out when you need to change it.

 

[Mr Nice]

As long it was not stored outdoors in the sun, that belt is good for another 10 years.

 

[Matt_S]

I'll throw another vote toward "go ahead and use it". The constant bending and un-bending of the belt as is travels around the pulleys and the heating-cooling cycles of the engine are what will cause the most wear. I doubt that storing it in a shed will come anywhere close to replicating what goes on under the hood.

 

[Jimmy9190]

Thanks guys. The belt looks OK, no cracks or any damage, just some light markings on the smooth side from a few miles of use. I figured it would be OK but I have a few trips planned in the next few months provided gas doesn't hit $10 a gallon. Even though I still have the original CarQuest belt that was on my Dakota when I bought it and I carry it in my truck for a spare, I'd hate to have the belt break on the interstate in the middle of nowhere.

 

[MrCritical]

Use it.

 

[PT1]

I say read the "healing drawer" post before you decide to re-use a part you rejected previously.

 

[Jimmy9190]

I don't have a healing drawer but I do hang on to parts till I am sure the new part works OK. I have about 3 sets of spark plugs in my tool box now from trying different brands and types until I got the ones that worked best. Nothing at all wrong with them. When I do my next tune up I might even put in the set of NGK's I had tried last time. They don't have many miles on them either and could easily be cleaned up and used like new. I have other parts in my shed that I could not or did not get rid of. I am sure many of us would rather hang onto it because we "might need it one day". Just look at the $22.99 I saved by keeping that belt.

Anyone here need a throttle body for a 3.9 Dodge V6?