Gates Belt tool question

[maverickfhs]

So I received the plastic belt tool from Gates. I tried to use it on my Honda Civic and for some reason, I can't make it fit on the belt ribs, as per direction which came with it.

Planning to head out for a 1000 miles trip and wanted to make sure belt is good.

Any tips about it? Or should I just go ahead and replace it? No squeaking or abnormal noises and I don't see any cracks or anything either.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Rand]

Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
So I received the plastic belt tool from Gates. I tried to use it on my Honda Civic and for some reason, I can't make it fit on the belt ribs, as per direction which came with it.

Planning to head out for a 1000 miles trip and wanted to make sure belt is good.

Any tips about it? Or should I just go ahead and replace it? No squeaking or abnormal noises and I don't see any cracks or anything either.

Thanks for the help.


you leave out most of the information anyone would need answer your question.
examples of needed information

Type of vehicle, age of belt, miles on belt, etc

In general I'd say you are good to go belts last quite well now.. not like the days of 10000mile v-belts.

 

[maverickfhs]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
So I received the plastic belt tool from Gates. I tried to use it on my Honda Civic and for some reason, I can't make it fit on the belt ribs, as per direction which came with it.

Planning to head out for a 1000 miles trip and wanted to make sure belt is good.

Any tips about it? Or should I just go ahead and replace it? No squeaking or abnormal noises and I don't see any cracks or anything either.

Thanks for the help.


you leave out most of the information anyone would need answer your question.
examples of needed information

Type of vehicle, age of belt, miles on belt, etc

In general I'd say you are good to go belts last quite well now.. not like the days of 10000mile v-belts.


My apologies, here you go:


Type of vehicle: 2006 Honda Civic EX, age of belt: Not sure, since I bought vehcile used a few months ago but belt does look to be in good condition, a bit brownish though. Miles on belt: No idea either, I would say 80 or so thousand miles? Vehicle has 191,500 miles etc

In general I'd say you are good to go belts last quite well now.. not like the days of 10000mile v-belts.

 

[FowVay]

let's try this:

So, I got this free tool from Gates that is used to measure wear on serpentine belts (see pic). I can't get it to work right on my '06 Honda Civic DX serpentine belt. Any suggestions:


My suggestion is to throw that free tool in the trash and visually inspect the belt. If it shows signs of cracking then replace it. It it still looks good then run it. Replace it at your next major service for piece of mind.

 

[maverickfhs]

Thanks FowVay, I'll try this method.

Previously, I tried where belt was underneath the tool and I was trying to fit the plastic grove form top.

Will try this bottom approach too.

 

[SHOZ]

I sent in for the freebie but never got it.

I usually consider changing the belt if it's slipping of chunks or ribs are missing.

 

[WhizkidTN]

I sent in for the free tool and got two this week. Haven't tried using it but one of the comments about belts is that the ones in use today you can't just go by cracking. They can be "worn out" without showing signs of cracking and hence the tool to help determine if it is worn out or not.

 

[Kira]

The old style Gates tool (the long tang which laid into the belt's grooves one at a time) was better.
If it was higher than the groove, the belt was worn.

This new one carried instructions to be rocked side to side. If it sets in solidly, the belt is OK.
If it can be rocked side-to-side the belt is said to be worn.

What seemes REALLY WRONG is the illustration which comes with the tool. Sharp, pointed (in profile) ribs don't allow contact with the tool so it wobbles.
That's a NO GO.

But, the GO illustration shows worn ribs which hug the tool solidly by allowing it settle into the belts grooves.

Not well explained at all. Kira

 

[Superflop]

Newer epdm belts should not crack or chunk out if so it should be replaced. These belts should wear like a tire.

Check the belt for cracks and visible wear/ breakage. If there isnt any and the belt does not squeel or slip i would run it.