Forum Discussion
31 Replies
- 4X4DodgerExplorer II
Elwoodj wrote:
I still have the original belt and hoses on my 2004 truck with 120000 miles. Would you change them or say if it ain't broke don't fix it?
I would first inspect them to see if there are any problems:
If your belt is cracked at the edges, and "checked" (small hairlline cracks on the wide part of the belt) I would replace it and keep the old one as an emergency backup.
As for the hoses; make the same inspection look for checking and cracking and bulging (especially around the clamps) but before they get warmed up squeeze them. If they compress readily and easily they have probably reached a state of "work" that had degraded their ability to hold their shape. I'd replace any of those. Hoses and belts are cheap and easy to replace, "Preventative Maintenance" on these types of things is a good idea to my mind. - pianotunaNomad IIIHi,
I would do the belt. - jerem0621Explorer III replaced the Belt on my Town Car about 10k miles ago. Mine was probably the original belt. The hoses still look good and feel good...but I will probably change them when I flush the cooling system again in about 30k miles.
Change the belt...it's just good practice.
Thanks!
Jeremiah - jbresExplorerPersonally if I could eliminate one more chance for a breakdown while on the road by changing the belts, well worth it in my opinion.
- jbresExplorerFor how inexpensive and easy it is to change serpentine belt and a/c belt, its well worth it I think. I just changed mine on an 2007 with 77,000 and they were showing signs of cracking and wear.
If you need help doing it, find a youtube video of someone changing it on your specific vehicle and it is pretty easy. - Sport45Explorer III didn't intend to come off as bragging. I just don't change hoses if they pass my inspection. I never changed oil at 3000 miles just because that was the recommended interval either. Why throw away good parts (money)?
- BenKExplorerNothing to brag about...like tires going way more than others
Breaking or snapping one can cause damage
Hope you folks don't do that with rubber timing belts...especially on interference engines
Why go past the recommended service ??? - BenKExplorerWhat does our service manual say?
- mdamerellExplorerSince the serpentine belt drives most the important stuff (water pump, alternator, power steering) when it lets go you're stuck. Personally, I'd rather just change it than wait for it to just let go and strand me.
- trop-a-calExplorerIf you're going for a long trip or keeping it, go for the new belt and hoses, plus new clamps and replace the belt tensioner. You won't want the power steering to go with the belt breaking, and on some vehicles the power steering is used to power your brakes by hydraulic boost. By the way flush the power steering fluid as if you have break boost from it, the fluid needs to be clean and flowing without hesitation to the brakes for boost, as it has to have 1200 PSI to open and close the boost valve on the brakes.
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