Better Serpentine Belt?

[wallyuwl]

Have a 2010 2.4L Chevy Equinox with 61k. Belt started making some noise a couple months ago, has gotten much worse with the colder weather. Thinking it is bad.

Have an appointment on Thursday to get it replaced. They can do with a Dayco or Drive Rite. Which is better? I'd never heard of Drive-Rite. I've had problems with Dayco in the past not lasting very long and have used Gates since, but that was a decade ago or more. I know others that like them.

Also, if something else is wrong (pulley, tensioner, etc.), is that covered under the manufacturer's 5yr/100k powertrain warranty? I know the belt would be considered a wear part, but not sure if a bad tensioner or something would be or not.

 

[SatinSilver]

How much are they charging? I need to get one installed on my 05 Matrix with 73k miles. Probably will go oem and dealer is charging $128 iirc.

I would think the pulley and tensioner would be covered under your powertrain warranty. Of course the dealer will probably say they're fine.

 

[DBMaster]

My favorites are Gates and Bando. Both are US made and long lasting. I'm sure there are other brands that are good, too, but life is too short to mess around.

 

[wallyuwl]

$85 at Ken Towery in Lexington, KY. Then they have a 20% off coupon on their web site. Dealer said they could do a belt for $75 but I also want the inspection that KT does for free (I'm pretty sure it needs brakes soon, and can do them myself, but don't want to do it until necessary). We used to have a Vibe, same engine as Matrix, you should be able to get a new belt for about 60% of what the dealer wants.

 

[Quest]

61k? so soon?

factory belt typically lasts more than that: in the case of my wifey's camry: factory belt lasted well into 120k before it got replaced with Gates....now the Gates has over 54k on the clock and still ok...anticipate approx. 2 yrs more before replacing with another gates.. (exterior rubber wear causing some "husing" sound when cold)

Q.

 

[redhat]

I love Gates belts. Also, check Amazon. You may have Free super saver shipping or if your a Prime customer... free 2 day.

I love Prime.

 

[surfstar]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Have a 2010 2.4L Chevy Equinox with 61k. Belt started making some noise a couple months ago, has gotten much worse with the colder weather. Thinking it is bad.


I agree with Quest - 61k and 3 years is WAY too soon for a belt.

Could just need a tension adjust with the cold weather. A few mins of your time and no $ spent (DIY).

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Have a 2010 2.4L Chevy Equinox with 61k. Belt started making some noise a couple months ago, has gotten much worse with the colder weather. Thinking it is bad.


I agree with Quest - 61k and 3 years is WAY too soon for a belt.

Could just need a tension adjust with the cold weather. A few mins of your time and no $ spent (DIY).


I've had it about 4.5 years, got it in Cash for Clunkers. The noise it is making isn't just at startup, it is constant since the weather turned colder (but was there, just not as bad, even a couple months ago when it was in the 60s and 70s). Has an auto-tensioner pulley so that bearing could be bad I guess. It sounds almost like a stiff bristled brush against the sidewalk.

 

[surfstar]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Has an auto-tensioner pulley so that bearing could be bad I guess. It sounds almost like a stiff bristled brush against the sidewalk.


Hope its the bearing and is warrantied!

 

[Drew99GT]

You can visually inspect the belt and grab it and check the tension. If it feels good and tensioned, it's most likely a bearing in the accessory drive system somewhere.

From what I know, Drive Rite belts are a cheapy brand.

 

[BISCUT]

I've had plenty of Dayco belts and they have been just fine. I have been using Gatorback belts from Goodyear and really like them. Smooth and so far durable. Have it in F150, Armada, and soon to be BMW.

 

[brandini]

Gates!

I had a set of continental belts start doing the squeaky thousands of miles after the install and re-tension.

Gates belt installed and re-tensioned 500 miles later and never a peep again.

(this was on a miata with a manual tensioner on a v-belt)

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Have a 2010 2.4L Chevy Equinox with 61k. Belt started making some noise a couple months ago, has gotten much worse with the colder weather. Thinking it is bad.


I agree with Quest - 61k and 3 years is WAY too soon for a belt.


True, based upon the belt appearance, but check it with a belt wear gauge and you might see how worn it really is.

 

[SatinSilver]

I think they're Rite Aids store brand.

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: surfstar
Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Has an auto-tensioner pulley so that bearing could be bad I guess. It sounds almost like a stiff bristled brush against the sidewalk.


Hope its the bearing and is warrantied!


Called the Chevy dealer and a pulley or tensioner would not be part of the powertrain warranty, and I'm outside of the bumper to bumper. So I'm going to keep my appt. for Thursday, they'll look at the belt and everything else to see why the noise is there. Will be much cheaper getting any tensioner or anything replaced at this shop than the dealer. Hope it is just a worn belt. Will go with the Dayco option if it needs it.

 

[The_Jeff]

Drive Rite is the cheapy from Advance auto. Many are made in USA though. I have run them and they work good, can't comment on longevity yet.

If I were paying to have it done, I'd get a gatorback or OE. Is this the new car dealer?

 

[wallyuwl]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Drive Rite is the cheapy from Advance auto. Many are made in USA though. I have run them and they work good, can't comment on longevity yet.

If I were paying to have it done, I'd get a gatorback or OE. Is this the new car dealer?


I'll ask if they can get a Gatorback, not sure if they can. They might use Advance as their supplier. Dayco should be fine if that is what it needs. If it is the belt that is bad already I don't want to go OEM.

 

[Artem]

Originally Posted By: Quest
61k? so soon?

factory belt typically lasts more than that: in the case of my wifey's camry: factory belt lasted well into 120k before it got replaced with Gates....now the Gates has over 54k on the clock and still ok...anticipate approx. 2 yrs more before replacing with another gates.. (exterior rubber wear causing some "husing" sound when cold)

Q.


Weird why its calling it quits so soon. The one in my 07 Civic EX had 145k on it at the time the car was totaled.

The current one on my wife's Scion tC has 115k on it and is in great condition. No visible cracking on the inside and outside looks to be in good shape, apart from some discoloration. We have been bouncing off the rev limiter since it had 10,000 miles (that's when we bought it) and all is perfectly fine as of 12/10/2013

 

[Turk]

Originally Posted By: redhat
I love Gates belts. Also, check Amazon. You may have Free super saver shipping or if your a Prime customer... free 2 day.

I love Prime.


This.

Love Prime as well...

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted By: BISCUT
I've had plenty of Dayco belts and they have been just fine. I have been using Gatorback belts from Goodyear and really like them. Smooth and so far durable. Have it in F150, Armada, and soon to be BMW.


+1 on the Goodyear Gatorback belt.