Forum Discussion

MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Dec 09, 2018

What Brand Is The Longest Lived Serpentine Drive Belt?

Even if the correct size existed down here, I would have to settle for "Jolly Dragon" or some such from Happy Commune People's Factory No 39

Car has a nasty habit of immediately throwing the drive belt when it goes through a puddle of water. Replaced all three idler & tensioner pulleys with OEM and there is no wobble in the fixed pulleys. The belt to be replaced is a Dayco. Part number ribs and length verified to be correct. It was noiseless. Thank goodness the water pump is driven by the inner timing belt. And yes the tensioner pulley strength was verified correct by a shop.
  • free_radical's avatar
    free_radical
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2018
    My Silverado is 10 years old and the belt still looks functions like new..

    Have second new one just in case,but if it aint broke why change it
  • time2roll's avatar
    time2roll
    Nomad
    Dec 09, 2018
    Changed my OEM at 100k and about to change again at 200k. At this rate it is really hard to test very many brands. Need the experience of a fleet manager. IMO any recognized name brand is fine.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Dec 09, 2018
    free radical wrote:
    My Silverado is 10 years old and the belt still looks functions like new..

    Have second new one just in case,but if it aint broke why change it
    I tend to agree with that in theory, but my experience is that it will break at the most inopportune time, probably a mountain road with no shoulder and a line of traffic behind me. :)

    I've used Gates brand belts for years and been happy with them.
  • azrving's avatar
    azrving
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2018
    I usually buy Gates. They seemed to be a top brand years ago but who knows what the content is now. How much water are we talking about, I mean I did hydroplane a 1959 VW and ended up on a lawn next to a huge oak tree so I just thought I'd ask. I go through water pretty slow.

    Are all the plastic shields in places?
  • ItsyRV's avatar
    ItsyRV
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2018
    Gates, Dayco and Continental probably make the top belts for non specialized applications. Just be careful as they all make a range so there are low and high quality belts in their lineups. I switched to Continental's Elite due to the staggered cog configuration and alignment stable backing. I do change the belt more frequently than required, but even with it's premium $30 price, it is still pretty cheap maintenance.
  • All_I_could_aff's avatar
    All_I_could_aff
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2018
    Is your car running the 3.0L or 3.3L V6?
    I used to see them regularly with thrown belts after going thru minimal road puddles.
  • MEXICOWANDERER's avatar
    MEXICOWANDERER
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2018
    It's a 3.0 and yes it is a familiar PITA. Would not this have been easy to design against? Like add a 1/16th inch height to the outboard ridges of the pulleys? This is exactly the kind of stupidity I growled and snapped about a few posts ago. MoPar made an ice and snow shield to help with this problem but no one else made them and this model is a red-headed orphan with MoPar.

    Mitsubishi! Original manufacturer of the self-lighting Zero fighter.
  • Skid_Row_Joe's avatar
    Skid_Row_Joe
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2018
    While I don't know the true answer to your question, I can tell you that I have had less service from a non-factory brand on my Mercedes Benz turbo diesel sedan.

    I always request that that vehicle's OEM serpentine belt be used. Whether Ford, GM, or Mercedes Benz. The three brands of vehicles I presently own.


    .

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