Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Serpentine Belt life? (Read 730 times) previous topic - next topic

Serpentine Belt life?

 At 123,700 miles and 24 years old, I changed both my belt tensioners as a maintenance program. 2 serpentine  belts look  good with no cracks. Ac belt is newer. Should I change anyway? I don't know how old they are. Are the green hd Gates belts worth the money over standard belts?
Thanks
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #1 –
I change my belts every 3 years or so. Yes Gates green had belts are worth the extra money.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #2 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
Are the green hd Gates belts worth the money over standard belts?
Yes.  Buy the best belt you can find and afford.  Cheap insurance against premature and inconvenient failure.

And, just in case, carry new spare belts in your parts bin.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT0jn1HPy34
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #3 –
My personal experience with the Gates green belts in heavy-duty applications (lawn mowers, wood chippers, etc.) is that they are excellent belts.
David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #4 –
"Some of the older serpentine belts, made of Neoprene, need replacing every 4-5 years.  One source I found, however, said many 2005 and newer vehicles have serpentine belts made of a superior product (EPDM – ethylene propylene diene monomer) that can last the life of the vehicle.  These EPDM belts are not expected to need replacement before 10 years or 150,000 miles of normal use.  A skilled technician can measure the wear on these newer belts and then recommend replacement based on that measurement.

Though recommendations for replacement are often made based on a mileage interval, keep in mind that how your vehicle is used can also be a factor.  Operating your car under conditions termed "severe" accelerates the wearing on belts (as well as on other components) and will probably be noticeable on inspection.  Winters with freezing temperatures and summer heat in the triple digits would be classified as "severe" and become a factor in belt life."

And carry a spare.

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #5 –
Just get the number off the belt and order the Gates Green Stripe Fleet Belt online. They cost half as much that way. Make sure the pulleys are in alignment if the belt is showing any wear on the edges or tensioner is jumping at idle.

Serpentine belts max at one crack per inch per groove. Eight groove belt could have 8 cracks for every inch. In my estimation, probably good to replace before then. I have never seen a crack in a Gates Green Stripe. I don't plan on replacing our belt but check it and check the two bearings on the tensioner to make sure they are not dry or have a rough spot. Keep a couple of spares onboard.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #6 –
The orange plastic "belt wear tool" mentioned in the Gates video I posted above is apparently NLA, or at least very hard to find.

DAYCO makes a similar tool that seems more commonly available.

DAYCO® aWEARNESS Gauge

Costs only 22 cents at Ryder Fleet Products.............plus $8 shipping!  :o

Belt Gauge and Instruction Card, 047337BK, Dayco Products
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #7 –
Ok. Good info. Thanks
1996 U295-36, Cummins 300hp, 8.3. Build number 4864. Vin number 1F97D536XTNO54271. Purchased October 31, 2019.

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #8 –
I've never paid extra for a belt I changed early, during the day I choose, without traffic buzzing by, without having to repair/replace other victims. Never had any other belt related problems either come to think of it or had a tow charge. Maybe I'm missing out on all sorts of memorable adventures. Maybe not. I do have belt adventures thou.
Scott

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #9 –
Quote from: dsd –
I've never paid extra for a belt I changed early, during the day I choose, without traffic buzzing by, without having to repair/replace other victims. Never had any other belt related problems either come to think of it or had a tow charge. Maybe I'm missing out on all sorts of memorable adventures. Maybe not. I do have belt adventures thou.
Scott
If you have misaligned pulleys/tensioners like your coach may have come with, you can easily ruin a belt in a short time. If you don't have a spare, you will be out of luck as the old one is several miles behind you. This happened to the PO of our coach a couple of times and to us on the way home from purchasing it. Fortunately, I had two spares with us.

Don't know about CAT or Cummins but ours is the outside belt and can be fitted in as little as 7 seconds, yes seven seconds. No other belt or accessory can be damaged with a failed belt.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Serpentine Belt life?

Reply #10 –
My Cummins owners manual has pictures showing serpentine failure modes.  Basically, cracks across the belt are no problem.  longitudinal cracks or belt edge fraying or tears require belt replacement.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R