NAPA/Gates Belts

[ruralcarrier]

Not sure if this is the proper place but I wanted to acknowledge a local NAPA store and the replacement of a NAPA/Gates serpentine belt.

Buick Century (1995) w/3.1L and 175,000 miles. Serpentine belt (NAPA/Gates) is 5.5 years old with about 50,000 miles on it. Looks ok but with the wife driving several hundered miles away with the dog for a competitive event, I am concerned about the belt. My local NAPA is out of stock on the belt so I call a store about 10 miles away. Explain the situation and indicate I want to replace the belt. The counter person suggests I bring the old belt in and if it is a NAPA/Gates belt he can measure the wear and if worn beyond a certain point it will qualify for a n/c replacement. I took the belt in, he measured it and said it met the minimum specs for replacement and handed me a new belt. He indicated Gates was very good about warranty replacement and even offered me a free belt guage so I could check belts on other vehicles at home.

I am a very loyal NAPA customer and this transaction today is another reason why I will remain a loyal NAPA customer.

 

[Lead Shoes]

The gates belt that was on my 3.4L grand am still looks great 2 years and 30k later, still has the lettering on it and all.

 

[wallyuwl]

Does Gates make Napa branded belts?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Does Gates make Napa branded belts?
Most of them. Ocasionally we get a Napa belt delivered thats not a Gates.

 

[ruralcarrier]

Originally Posted By: wallyuwl
Does Gates make Napa branded belts?


In my case, yes, it was a Gates belt and had the Gates name on the back of the sleeve.

 

[bmod305]

Napa has two grades of belts. Top line is Gates premium belt. Second line is labeled "Power-Fit". Both are supplied by Gates but the second line is sourced from Mexico & Korea(not made by Gates). Top line is EPDM belt while the second line is neoprene belt.

Dave