Better Serpentine Belt?

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Originally Posted By: 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
27.gif



I agree. I think in my owner's manuals, they generally specify 60k for the change interval on the serp belt, but they sure look like new when Ive swapped them at that age...
 
I am pretty sure gates is the OEM supplier for AC Delco belts. That being said, I recommend you use a Gates or Dayco belt if they replace it. Both brands offer excellent quality and value, easy to find also.
 
I have seen ACDelco belts which appear incredibly similar to Dayco belts, so I am not sure if getting a Dayco is really an improvement. That in mind, some Dayco belts have redesigned rib patterns that are supposed to make the belt quieter and more durable. I don't know if that actually works. I have dealt with some Dayco belts that snapped prematurely, so I avoid them.

Bando is good, but I hardly ever see any.

Many cars that were built in Japan used a Mitsuboshi belt, and those lasted an amazingly long time. However, I know of no aftermarket place that sells them.

I hardly ever see Gatorback belts, but I never find negative reviews of them.

I don't Conti-tech belts. They seem to need more frequent replacement, and I usually only see them on VWs.

Anyway, belt life is determined by 2 things:
1. Belt quality
2. The engineering of the belt drive system.

The Toyota 2AZ-FE engine has what might be the worst system of them all. I frequently end up with belts squealing at 30,000 mile intervals.
 
I ordered Bando belts for a 1999 Infiniti I30 on Rock Auto. Of course, that was four years ago.
 
Originally Posted By: BISCUT
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.

+2 on the Gatorback!
I put em in all my vehicles, they seem to outlast the other brands, IMO.
 
+3 Gatorback. The ONLY serpentine belt that won't squeal in my 7th gen Celica after one year. Gives me five years of cold, damp squeal free starts.
 
Originally Posted By: satinsilver
I need to get one installed on my 05 Matrix with 73k miles. Probably will go oem and dealer is charging $128 iirc.


The belt on my '06 Matrix started squeaking on cold mornings after 5 years and 27K miles.
Replaced it myself with a Gatorback from Amazon. ~$30 iirc.
 
Originally Posted By: circuitsmith


The belt on my '06 Matrix started squeaking on cold mornings after 5 years and 27K miles.
Replaced it myself with a Gatorback from Amazon. ~$30 iirc.


I might try replacing it with a Gatorback if it continues to make noise during the winter. I think it is just to do with the cold. Had it inspected today and they said it is fine. And it didn't make noise after being in the warm shop for two hours.
 
Originally Posted By: cutter
+3 Gatorback. The ONLY serpentine belt that won't squeal in my 7th gen Celica after one year. Gives me five years of cold, damp squeal free starts.


I had a Gatorback shred on me. That and it's made in Mexico. I can get Dayco and Gates made in USA. Why should I pay a made in USA price for a belt that's made in Mexico?
 
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: cutter
+3 Gatorback. The ONLY serpentine belt that won't squeal in my 7th gen Celica after one year. Gives me five years of cold, damp squeal free starts.


I had a Gatorback shred on me. That and it's made in Mexico. I can get Dayco and Gates made in USA. Why should I pay a made in USA price for a belt that's made in Mexico?

The belt shredding has NOTHING to do with the belt itself. Either an issue with pulley alignment or an issue with the installer of the belt.

I don't know or care where the belt was made, all I know or care about is that it works better than other belts that Ive tried... viva la Mexico!
laugh.gif


It costs more simply because it's better, regardless of where it's made.

In all seriousness, I of course prefer a "Made In the USA" product, but I wont sacrifice consumer(my) satisfaction in the name of country pride.
 
Originally Posted By: babyivan
Originally Posted By: zzyzzx
Originally Posted By: cutter
+3 Gatorback. The ONLY serpentine belt that won't squeal in my 7th gen Celica after one year. Gives me five years of cold, damp squeal free starts.


I had a Gatorback shred on me. That and it's made in Mexico. I can get Dayco and Gates made in USA. Why should I pay a made in USA price for a belt that's made in Mexico?

The belt shredding has NOTHING to do with the belt itself. Either an issue with pulley alignment or an issue with the installer of the belt.

I don't know or care where the belt was made, all I know or care about is that it works better than other belts that Ive tried... viva la Mexico!
laugh.gif


It costs more simply because it's better, regardless of where it's made.

In all seriousness, I of course prefer a "Made In the USA" product, but I wont sacrifice consumer(my) satisfaction in the name of country pride.

I'm with you're statement on shredding and the comment on quality. Heck, Delco is Chinese anyway. That was GM forcing the hand same way Walmart dictates price.
 
Alright, I decided to replace the belt. The noise is back after the vehicle sat in the cold for a while, so I'm thinking that while still performing fine (no cracks or anything), the belt has lost some flexibility and that is why it is making noise in the cold.


So the question is which one?

Gatorback: about $18 shipped from Rock Auto.

Gates: $15 shipped from Amazon (2-day shipping, I have Prime)


Never used Gatorback before, but hear good things. Have used and liked Gates.
 
All famous brands are decent but I always pick Gatorback or OEM.

Gatorback is an excellent product and you can't go wrong. I would say it is an upgrade from OEM. It takes care of many noise issues if pulleys aren't perfect, older tensioners or poor designs. I know it stops noise on the 07ish Corollas which are notorious for making belt noise. I'm sure you can find issues with ANY belt, the problem is often with the pulleys.

Keep your old belt as a spare.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: BISCUT

I'm with you're statement on shredding and the comment on quality. Heck, Delco is Chinese anyway. That was GM forcing the hand same way Walmart dictates price.


I installed an Acdelco water pump the other day and it's a d@mn shame to see "Made in China" stamped on it!

Walmart set up camp in China a years back teaching US manufacturers how to move production over there in order to reduce costs to help meet Walmart's ridiculously low price point!

Hel1, they put the original Rubbermaid out of business... a once great American made product!

Corporate greed is what destroyed the US manufacturing industry.
 
Got the Gates. Figured I'd pay the $50 labor to have someone put it on so I didn't have to mess with it. It isn't easy to get to. Vehicle runs much, much quieter now, and even accelerates better. The belt may not have been cracked but it was clearly in need of replacement.

Now tires next week...
 
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