Is this serpentine belt OK?

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rationull

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I was checking fluids on one of our cars today and noticed something on the serpentine belt. The little threads that are visible at the belt's "seam" seem to be coming up a little:

IMG_20120528_162540.jpg


The belt (and the car) only have about 50k miles and is only 4 years old, and otherwise the belt looks good. I have a Gates serpentine belt tester tool (the kind with the little plastic "pin" that fits between the ribs and is supposed to verify that the belt is not too worn) and it passes that test.

Is this just a cosmetic thing or should I be replacing this belt?
 
I would be unloading that belt.Its coming apart at the joint.Remember,when they went serpentine,they claimed they were maintenance free for 100K miles.Yea right,dont believe a thing carmakers tell you...they only make things cheaper not necessarily better or longer lasting.
 
I've never had a serpentine belt go on it's own. Bad idlers, tensioners or alternators always took them out for me.

Joel
 
Some engines required belt replacement at 30,000 miles. My 2000 Forester belt looked almost new at 110,000 when I replaced it. Much depends on the manufacture as to when it should be replaced. I think I would inspect this belt at every oil change to see if it gets any worse. What is the recomended change interval for this engine?
 
The car gets 5-6k oil changes and I can certainly keep an eye on it. I was just surprised to see the belt looking like it's not in great shape considering the belt on my previous daily driver looked fine at 75k miles when I traded it in. But, that was a different model than this car.

If the back side of the belt IS wearing, I'm not sure what would cause that. The back of the belt only drives the water pump I think. Maybe it just runs high tension or something?

Not looking forward to replacing this. The car is a Mazda3 and it has a separate AC belt that's a stretch belt and has to come off first. Maybe time to order one of those stretch belt mounting tools.
 
Those threads are not very signifigant. I have seen belts worse than that go over 200K, but I myself change the belt every 60K. Its up to you. If you worry about it, change it, if not let it go. How much is a new belt?
 
Originally Posted By: NHGUY
I would be unloading that belt.Its coming apart at the joint.Remember,when they went serpentine,they claimed they were maintenance free for 100K miles.Yea right,dont believe a thing carmakers tell you...they only make things cheaper not necessarily better or longer lasting.


Some last 100K and some do not. It is still a periodic inspection item in most maintenance schedules.
 
Originally Posted By: Rocko1
Those threads are not very signifigant. I have seen belts worse than that go over 200K, but I myself change the belt every 60K. Its up to you. If you worry about it, change it, if not let it go. How much is a new belt?

+1
 
I guess I'm just a little weirded out because on all the searches I've done about serp belt wear, the only mentions of things to look for are about cracks in the ribs and chunks coming out of the ribs; nothing about the back really. My gut says that it's probably not critical but I wish I knew more about the construction of the belts so I could ascertain how big a part the little threads play (or at least the outermost pieces of the threads).
 
Originally Posted By: Bgallagher
Cheap insurance. I would replace it and also check the system to make sure there is nothing else wrong.


+1 good chance to spin idlers ect.
 
What is the rib depth? That is the main determinant, IMO.

The back looks OK to me, but are there signs of cracking in the ribs?

if no cracks, Id probably consider waiting until I found a Gates on really good sale, and then a really nice day when I was feeling ambitious to install it...
 
Originally Posted By: KrisZ
What you see is a start of belt deterioration, but it is nothing that needs immediate attention. If the belt doesn't chirp during cold starts it still has some life left.


Not necessarily. Many Goodyear belts look like that after a very short time. It's largely dependent on it's composition. For instance, a Gates belt probably won't ever look like that.
 
I feel for the poster because changing the belt is simple and cheap....its the darn stretchy belt that has to come off (and be replaced) first to get to the serp. belt!
 
Originally Posted By: stephen9666
What is the make/model/year of the car?


It's a 2008 Mazda3.

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
I posted pics of my belt that I changed recently at 90k miles and 6 years.
What you see is a start of belt deterioration, but it is nothing that needs immediate attention. If the belt doesn't chirp during cold starts it still has some life left.


Awesome, I hadn't seen your thread. Convenient since it's very nearly the same car
smile.gif
Good info there.


Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What is the rib depth? That is the main determinant, IMO.

The back looks OK to me, but are there signs of cracking in the ribs?

if no cracks, Id probably consider waiting until I found a Gates on really good sale, and then a really nice day when I was feeling ambitious to install it...


The rib depth is fine according to my Gates tester, and there's no sign of cracking anywhere as far as I can see.


Originally Posted By: GMBoy
I feel for the poster because changing the belt is simple and cheap....its the darn stretchy belt that has to come off (and be replaced) first to get to the serp. belt!


This is 100% the problem. I just have to get off my lazy butt and find a tool for the stretch belt. My Subaru has a stretch belt too, but at least it's behind the other drive belt. Not sure how I feel about stretch belts...



I guess I won't worry too much about it then, and just pick up a belt and replace it when it's convenient.
 
Originally Posted By: rationull
My Subaru has a stretch belt too, but at least it's behind the other drive belt. Not sure how I feel about stretch belts...



I guess I won't worry too much about it then, and just pick up a belt and replace it when it's convenient.


I have seen people work with stretch belt tools and frequently break them.
 
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