Not Happy with how this serpentine belt looks,

[Chris142]

According to the receipt I found this belt was installed 12000 miles ago just weeks before we bought the Trooper .

It's a Duralast and says Made in India on it.

I would think that AutoZone would not sell total garbage but maybe I'm wrong or it's nothing to worry about .

It has several spots on the outside,non ribbed side that looks like cracks. More likely where it was put together at the factory.

Just don't look right to me and I have never seen this on a belt.

Thoughts?

 

[Jim_Truett]

It's probably natural rubber and not EPDM. I would assume it's just poor quality. Unfortunately I have purchased many items from Autozone that are total garbage, and all had the duralast branding. Bando, Continental, or Gates HD green are all I really trust anymore.

Amazon Bando

 

[Chris142]

It's probably natural rubber and not EPDM. I would assume it's just poor quality. Unfortunately I have purchased many items from Autozone that are total garbage, and all had the duralast branding. Bando, Continental, or Gates HD green are all I really trust anymore.

Amazon Bando

After being burned by Amazon more than once Buying parts from them scares me.Dayco should be ok too?

I'm not familiar with a natural rubber belt. What the life of one of those? We always used an Epdm belt

 

[Nukeman7]

After being burned by Amazon more than once Buying parts from them scares me.Dayco should be ok too?

I'm not familiar with a natural rubber belt. What the life of one of those? We always used an Epdm belt

Per the Autozone listing, that Duralast belt is EPDM, not natural rubber. I don't think any modern vehicle has used a natural rubber belt since the 1960's.

 

[Jim_Truett]

After being burned by Amazon more than once Buying parts from them scares me.Dayco should be ok too?

I'm not familiar with a natural rubber belt. What the life of one of those? We always used an Epdm belt

I understand. I have bought a lot of Bando belts off Amazon and not had a bad one yet. I have had fitment issues with Dayco, but I can't speak for your application.

 

[Jim_Truett]

Per the Autozone listing, that Duralast belt is EPDM, not natural rubber. I don't think any modern vehicle has used a natural rubber belt since the 1960's.

They have only been making belts out of EPDM since 2001 or so. Cracking is extremely unusual out of an EPDM belt that early in its life unless there are pulley alignment issues or it has been attacked by solvents or other chemicals.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Really hard to judge based on the backing. You would need to take it off and inspect the ribs - see if there cracking or look worn.

Does it appear to run true and smooth? Not very scientific but in my experience worn belts wobble a bit.

I am also a big fan of Bando belts, if you decide to change it.

 

[Nukeman7]

They have only been making belts out of EPDM since 2001 or so. Cracking is extremely unusual out of an EPDM belt that early in its life unless there are pulley alignment issues or it has been attacked by solvents or other chemicals.

I believe that after the natural rubber belts <1970, most V-belts were made of synthetic neoprene rubber compounds. As you stated, EPDM became the standard around 2000 along with serpentine belts.

 

[BrendanC]

i don’t purchase duralast parts whatsoever. been burned too many times. Gates Green HD belts for my truck due to the high output alternator loads. the fleet and anything else i touch gets Carquest red belts. millions of trouble free miles on these.

i change OEM belts at 50k, install a carquest red and never think about it again.

 

[AZjeff]

If you don't like the look of it change it out, money well spent for peace of mind. Pretend it looked old when you got the Trooper.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Someone will post a belt making video from that Pakistan channel

Yeah, the problem with the house brands is that you don't know who supplies them or where they get them from

 

[Chris142]

Really hard to judge based on the backing. You would need to take it off and inspect the ribs - see if there cracking or look worn.

Does it appear to run true and smooth? Not very scientific but in my experience worn belts wobble a bit.

I am also a big fan of Bando belts, if you decide to change it.

Ya it runs true and the ribs look fine. It's just got those "cracks" across the outside.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Ya it runs true and the ribs look fine. It's just got those "cracks" across the outside.

Are they visual only - or is the belt deformed / have an indentation at those points?

I agree its a bit un-nerving. When in doubt.

 

[Chris142]

Are they visual only - or is the belt deformed / have an indentation at those points?

I agree its a bit un-nerving. When in doubt.

I can't tell if indented.

 

[Lubener]

If it bothers you, take it back to Autozone for an exchange.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I don’t know what my shop used last time in my daughters CRV. I’m pretty sure they changed it last year when AC compressor was done. She started having noise at startup like VTC actuator or other. Mechanic said they have been having issues of late with belts stretching, not cracking. Wreaks havoc on the tensioner and makes noise. This was in conversation before I brought it in to get checked.

Today I passed by and he showed me the issue. As soon as he turned A/C on it sounded just like that rattle and I could see the tensioner going crazy. It’s getting a new tensioner and new belt tomorrow.

 

[50yr Street Mech]

Got burned many times with house brand serpentine belts. They never look right, and start cracking fairly quickly. I don't even use Dayco or Gates anymore. Don't know where there coming from either. My 1st choice is Bando, 2nd is Continental. Learned my lesson. They are a PITA to change on transverse engines, and that's all I have are transverse 4 bangers. No room to work. They got them so close to the frame it's insanely tough to swap them out. Bando's can easily run for 80k. I've seen some with 100K and still were not cracked.

 

[tmorris1]

It doesn't look that bad to me, but it is hard to tell from that pic. Cracks are normal as long as they don't go all the way through.
I have always bought Goodyear Gatorbacks or Continental. I just took a Gatorback off my Ford Focus that had been on for about 180K and it still looked OK. It seemed the rubber was a little harder than new. I changed it just because winter was coming and I didn't want to be stranded. Replace with a Continental from RockAuto.

 

[zzyzzx]

Did the vehicle come with mismatched Chinese tires as well?

 

[Chris142]

Did the vehicle come with mismatched Chinese tires as well?

No. 5 new bfg t/a's.