Thoughts on serpentine belt replacement?
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I would be fine with all 3. I would feel comfortable with 75K.
My 2000 E430 with 140k miles has original serpentine belt without any crack, I don't plan to replace it until there are some cracks on the belt.
My original serpentine belt on the LS400 wasn't replaced until about 200+k miles when it started to have some cracks.
My original serpentine belt on the LS400 wasn't replaced until about 200+k miles when it started to have some cracks.
My truck's original belt was changed at about 20K miles along with a belt tensioner under warranty due to noise. The replacement is now at around 100K miles without a single crack that I can see. I have had the fleeting urge to replace it just to have something to do on a Saturday afternoon, but it looks too good. I plan to run it until I see at least one crack.
When I changed the slightly cracked belt on my old truck, I used a Goodyear Gatorback. Absolutely no complaints with that belt, but I certainly can't complain about Motorcraft belts either.
When I changed the slightly cracked belt on my old truck, I used a Goodyear Gatorback. Absolutely no complaints with that belt, but I certainly can't complain about Motorcraft belts either.
My 2005 has 242,000 miles on the original belt and still serviceable.
The 2004 has 130,000 miles on its original belt (so I think since I bought it when it had 118k and it does look OEM)
Even with some cracks remember that the belts have kevlar in side.
I do replace them though once they get some cracks. But just to change them because of x miles or x time I don't do.
Now timing belts are different because they have teeth and of they jump a tooth then you can have serious issues.
Bill
The 2004 has 130,000 miles on its original belt (so I think since I bought it when it had 118k and it does look OEM)
Even with some cracks remember that the belts have kevlar in side.
I do replace them though once they get some cracks. But just to change them because of x miles or x time I don't do.
Now timing belts are different because they have teeth and of they jump a tooth then you can have serious issues.
Bill
I like Gates, but Dayco did a Q&A for BITOG so I have bought both and have no problems with either.
Now on the other hand if Gates makes a Fleetrunner (same part #, but with a HD at the end) belt for your application I would get that without question. top notch quality IMO
Now on the other hand if Gates makes a Fleetrunner (same part #, but with a HD at the end) belt for your application I would get that without question. top notch quality IMO
I'm from the don't replace it until you need it camp. I'd use a Gates belt, I had the best luck with them. JMO
I have never had a serpentine belt break since they came out. They wear to tatters but evidently they rarely break.
We use the 'cracks per inch rule" and a depth gauge to check the ribs. You don't have to worry much about them though, they can easily go 100k miles.
We use the 'cracks per inch rule" and a depth gauge to check the ribs. You don't have to worry much about them though, they can easily go 100k miles.
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I've had Dayco on 02 explorer and have one on the F-150 in my sig. Changed mine at 60k. Didn't show signs of needing it but I like to do bellts every 60k.
I'm no true wrench turner, and maybe a belt can make ot a lot loger than 60-75k miles, but a small maintenance item just doesn't seem worth pushing. F-150 belt isn's bad at all. Plenty of access. Some other vehicles the bay is so tight I wouldn't even try.
I'd change it.
I'm no true wrench turner, and maybe a belt can make ot a lot loger than 60-75k miles, but a small maintenance item just doesn't seem worth pushing. F-150 belt isn's bad at all. Plenty of access. Some other vehicles the bay is so tight I wouldn't even try.
I'd change it.
Why don't you go ahead and buy the correct belt of your choice now. Wrap it up and put it in your truck storage box and then you will have it when and if it breaks on some lonely stretch of road in the middle of nowhere. Be sure you have the tools to remove and replace the serp. belt.
Belts nowadays wont crack.Due to the material they dont show rot like they used to.Cracks now are a bad way to check for wear.Better be safe than sorry.If you plan on keeping it for 150K miles,change them every 75K.If you plan on keeping it for 300K change every 100K.Or at the least keep a spare belt behind the seat.
you guys are getting some miles from your belts! belts here rarely get to 80 k w/o being threads.
JHZR2
Staff member
the only reason Ive changed a belt is because of the manual recommending it (at 60k, so I now have a servicable spare) and noise.
If you have a smartphone, try out the new gates app and see what it tells you when it analyzes the photo...
If you have a smartphone, try out the new gates app and see what it tells you when it analyzes the photo...
I did mine on the xB at 113k, but only because the water pump bearings were failing and I replaced the pump. If not for that, I'd have left it alone until about 150k - no cracks or glazing when I changed it.
I changed the two on my 2004 Monte Carlo SS Supercharged and one of them looked like it was the original even though it had no cracks. I was starting to get some belt noise and is why I changed them. I used Dayco belts because they have a three year warranty compared to one with the Gates.
Wayne
Wayne
Originally Posted By: yesthatsteve
I did mine on the xB at 113k, but only because the water pump bearings were failing and I replaced the pump. If not for that, I'd have left it alone until about 150k - no cracks or glazing when I changed it.
yeah that's how my vehicles usually get a belt. I have it off fixing something else and figure for a few bucks put a new belt on while I'm at it.
never had a serp belt fail either.
I did mine on the xB at 113k, but only because the water pump bearings were failing and I replaced the pump. If not for that, I'd have left it alone until about 150k - no cracks or glazing when I changed it.
yeah that's how my vehicles usually get a belt. I have it off fixing something else and figure for a few bucks put a new belt on while I'm at it.
never had a serp belt fail either.
The factory belt on my Sonata was starting to slip at around 80k miles. It wasn't making noise, but I could tell it was slipping because the power steering would stop working and I could smell the burning rubber.
I went with a Bando belt. Made in Japan and seems to work great.
I went with a Bando belt. Made in Japan and seems to work great.
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