Serpentine Belt??!

[Chris142]

I replaced mine about 3 years ago while I was replacing the alternator. I had to remove it anyway, and a replacement was only around $30.00 at the time. So why not? I couldn't see the sense of putting the old one back on. And for a lousy $30 bucks, the peace of mind was well worth it.

Have you priced a belt lately!

 

[jeepman3071]

I find 100k is usually safe, but like anything else it varies based on environment and use case.

 

[wander2039]

Changed most of my belts 75-100k and they look terrible. Granted most of those belts were around 15 years old.

 

[PF52]

Have you priced a belt lately!

Really short belts, like for my Chevy Cobalt, start at $3.37 on Rock Auto..... But I'm inclined to splurge and get a Dayco or Gates which costs in the double-digits.

 

[billt460]

Have you priced a belt lately!

This one fits my truck. $27.00.

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/belt/p/duralast-belt-910k6/152301_0_0

 

[Chris142]

This one fits my truck. $27.00.

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/belt/p/duralast-belt-910k6/152301_0_0

Wonder how good it is? In the past we had ok luck with duralast belts then they became off shore made and started giving trouble.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

This one fits my truck. $27.00.

https://www.autozone.com/cooling-heating-and-climate-control/belt/p/duralast-belt-910k6/152301_0_0

$30-39 for my BMW.

https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/11287628661
https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-drive-belt-335i-535i-11287628661

 

[rcs]

Keep an ear open to older pulleys (tensioner/idler) losing their lube.
A previous owner could have replaced a belt and left the original pulleys.

What does that sound like when they are loosing their lube?

 

[Kira]

They get loud and sometimes squeak.
My truck is an '05 and I can hear a ton of noise -some of which is plain whooshing air from the fan. Some is mechanical.

 

[rcs]

They get loud and sometimes squeak.
My truck is an '05 and I can hear a ton of noise -some of which is plain whooshing air from the fan. Some is mechanical.

Ok thanks...I am going to look for a video

 

[PF52]

What does that sound like when they are loosing their lube?

I had an idler pulley that made a chirp-chirp-chirp while warming up. It stopped making noise after a few minutes.

 

[Kira]

^^Yes, and these things chirp more when it's cold. Cold morning chirps is how I learned of my bad U-joints ('76 Chevy Nova).
The shaft 'refresh' (2 u-joints and a balance) was the best money ever spent on planet Earth.

 

[rcs]

I had an idler pulley that made a chirp-chirp-chirp while warming up. It stopped making noise after a few minutes.

Yes!!! I have this on some mornings,..and it seems after 10 seconds it goes away. So the serpentine belt has and idler pulley also? I have to look at a diagram. I thought only the timing belt had one. I am taking my car to the dealer next week. I had the serpentine belt changed 2 months ago but my mechanic said the pulleys "felt" okay so he did not put new ones on. So now I have this issue/noise on occasion.

 

[rcs]

^^Yes, and these things chirp more when it's cold. Cold morning chirps is how I learned of my bad U-joints ('76 Chevy Nova).
The shaft 'refresh' (2 u-joints and a balance) was the best money ever spent on planet Earth.

So are you saying they chirp "because" it is cold? Or because they are going bad? Because I never heard this noise before.

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

Some people with timing belt vehicles have had their serpentine belt break and get tangled up and jump/break the timing belt somehow. And of course that's really bad. So, another reason not to leave an old serpentine belt on there.

You can just say it. “BMW owners”

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

So are you saying they chirp "because" it is cold? Or because they are going bad? Because I never heard this noise before.

Chevy trucks and vans do this soon after production. We have a fleet and cold wet mornings vehicles less than 1 year old are chirping away.

 

[rcs]

Chevy trucks and vans do this soon after production. We have a fleet and cold wet mornings vehicles less than 1 year old are chirping away.

Good to know...would this also happen on a damp morning even if your car is in a garage?

 

[Kira]

So are you saying they chirp "because" it is cold? Or because they are going bad? Because I never heard this noise before.

Both. I'm not saying it's guaranteed to chirp more when the cold hits, just more likely.

 

[rcs]

Both. I'm not saying it's guaranteed to chirp more when the cold hits, just more likely.

Thanks! I am going to have them replaced. What specifically do I tell the dealership as to what parts for the serpentine belt?

 

[Kira]

Say, "belt, idler(s) and tensioner, please". Ask if there's a "kit" featuring all the necessary parts.