Drive Belt Application Help

[The Critic]

Neighbor's 2008 Elantra needs a new set of drive belts. The originals are horribly cracked and are making noise.

Due to price concerns, we'll be going with aftermarket on this car. Also, the belts on this car are manually-tensioned, so that probably gives me a big more room to work with.

However, I have some serious concerns about getting the correct length belt for this application. Here is what I'm finding so far.

Dayco:
A/C belt: 33.86"
Alt & WP belt: 35.04"

Bando (from their electronic catalog):
A/C belt: 33.9"
Alt & WP belt: 35"

Bando (from their paper catalog):

A/C belt: 34.45"
Alt & WP belt: 36.61"

Gates:

A/C belt: 34.13"
Alt & WP belt: 35.63"

As you can see, there are some serious differences in belt dimensions amongst the various brands. Especially Bando, who lists a very different dimension in their paper catalog compared to their electronic catalog.

Dayco and Bando's electronic catalog are matching. Gates seems to be a bit on the longer side, which was also the case for their Honda applications. Dayco's paper catalog just doesn't seem right for this model year, though they list the absurdly long belt for the 2007-2008, but then list the shorter belt for the 2009-10; the other brands list the same belt from 2007-2010.

Can anyone comment on this?

Thanks.

 

[Jay1981]

I don't know about the variety of different lengths, but I can tell you I usually use gates when they are available and they have always fit perfectly in any application I used them for.

 

[bourne]

Get Gatorbacks from RockAuto.

GOODYEAR Part # 4040335 Gatorback; Poly-V; 4 Ribs / Effective Length 33.5" / Outside Length 35.25"
Poly-V; Air Conditioning

GOODYEAR Part # 4040350 Gatorback; Poly-V; 4 Ribs / Effective Length 35" / Outside Length 35.75"
Poly-V; Alternator and Water Pump

 

[chad8]

Not sure about length , but I just replaced a squealing serpentine belt on my taurus that was on the car when I got it. I knew that the belt had maybe 30000 miles on it. I took it back to my local gates dealer. After i told them it was a lifetime guarantee , they looked it up and i walked out with a $38 belt for FREE.
They are the only major manufacturer with a lifetime warranty. They Sure gained consideration in my book.

Gates Corporation Limited Warranty


Goods are warranted to be free from defects in material or workmanship for the life of the Goods (or the published recommended replacement interval specified by Gates). Gates will replace or repair, at its option, any Goods proved defective in material or workmanship during the warranty period. This is the sole remedy for breach of warranty. Color fade and color difference is not warranted. This warranty is void if the defect is caused by improper installation, use or maintenance of the Goods, or used for racing or competition. Goods are not warranted to comply with laws that may apply to uses of the Goods not stated in related materials, e.g., use in manned or unmanned aviation or life support applications. ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. FAILURE TO REPLACE TIMING BELTS OR OTHER GATES PRODUCTS AS SPECIFIED MAY RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE OR EQUIPMENT DAMAGE, FOR WHICH GATES DISCLAIMS ALL RESPONSIBILITY, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW

 

[scurvy]

Never had an issue with Gates or Dayco belts; I would use either with complete confidence. I trust the belts in their boxes moreso than I trust the catalog dimensional information published.

 

[SLCraig]

I wouldn't worry either way if manually tensioned. I have no idea why not all auto makers use manual tensioners, they are so much better.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: SLCraig
I wouldn't worry either way if manually tensioned. I have no idea why not all auto makers use manual tensioners, they are so much better.


Actually, I've noticed that manually tensioned belts have a significantly shorter service life than belts with an automatic tensioner.

But you're right - on a manually tensioned belt, there's usually a ton of slack. However, shorter is still better, as you want to limit the amount of adjustment you have to make IMO.

As I posted in another thread, all of the Gates belts appear to be about 1/2" longer than Dayco or Bando for their respective applications. I ran into a problem once with a Gates Belt not being tight enough (as I could not tighten it enough I think)...replaced it with an OE/Bando and all was well. As it turns out, the Gates belt was also about 1/2" longer on that application!

 

[stephen9666]

I assume aftermarket companies use one belt size that's "close enough" for a bunch of applications to reduce the amount of part numbers.

I've been in a situation where an aftermarket belt couldn't be tensioned enough after it broke in. It was just too long. That was on my Nissan. I switched to a different brand and it was smaller and closer in size to the OE belt.

 

[artificialist]

Originally Posted By: stephen9666
I assume aftermarket companies use one belt size that's "close enough" for a bunch of applications to reduce the amount of part numbers.

I've been in a situation where an aftermarket belt couldn't be tensioned enough after it broke in. It was just too long. That was on my Nissan. I switched to a different brand and it was smaller and closer in size to the OE belt.

I have dealt with that problem on many Toyota cars, especially ones with 2AZ engines.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: artificialist

I have dealt with that problem on many Toyota cars, especially ones with 2AZ engines.

On those applications, or for any auto-tensioned application, is the shorter belt always a better choice?

 

[cchase]

Is there a chance they measure the belt at different points? For example, belt A is an inside length, belt B is an outside length?

I noticed in the specs for the Goodyear belt above they give multiple dimensions that are labeled.