serpentine belt and hose replacements

[Snomas]

When do you replace serpintine belt and radiator hoses on
diesel engines? Last year I replaced all heater hoses & tank radiator hoses. Autos are generally 5 years.

[Kayteg1]

Love the pulley where package says "Made in Canada" and mold on the bearing "CHINA"
Technology change and when some things improve, some go downhill.
I had cars with 200,000 miles and factory serpentine belt and hose.
But idle pulley bearing gave up in the mean time.
Bearings used to be lifetime items on the cars, were they not?
So when it comes to belts and hoses >>> Inspect, Inspect, Inspect.

[Canadian_Rainbi]

We have replaced the serpentine twice in our DP. Both times on the side of the highway, both times in Mexico. :E

The second time at least we had a spare belt. 🙂 According to the mechanic, the second failure was due to the tensioner coming loose. I now have added this to the list of things for our at home mechanic to check during the annual service.

[rgatijnet1]

Snomas wrote:
When do you replace serpintine belt and radiator hoses on
diesel engines? Last year I replaced all heater hoses & tank radiator hoses. Autos are generally 5 years.

Don't forget to keep any eye on the bearings in the belt tensionors and idler pulleys when you replace your belts. They can fail and wipe out the best belt in a matter of a seconds and altho you may be able to find a belt at most parts stores, the pulleys might be more difficult.
If you believe in the OEM being better, you may want to consider what GM does with their parts. I bought an OEM ACDelco idler pulley from the dealer that proudly announced on the package that it was made in Canada. The real truth was that ONLY the pulley itself was made in Canada. The only part of the assembly that ever fails, the bearing, was made in CHINA.
I carry a spare idler pulley and tensionor in my coach.

[pointrow]

Funny I have hoses on diesel engines that are 35+ years old. Belts that go 15 years and run in a lot harsher conditions than any rv. Oh and they set for 9 months between seasons.

[Gjac]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I've had Dayco belts fail at 15,000 miles and I have had Gates belts last twice as long. An inspection to check for cracks should tell you when it is time.

. My OEM serpentine belt was replaced at 10 years and 50,000 miles with a Gates belt it now is 10 years old and still looks new no cracks. The old one had longitutnal cracking and separation. I changed the transmission, rear end,and brake fluid 3 times in 10 years because I can't see what is happening inside. The radiator hoses and other belt has 107,000 miles on them and are 20 years old and show no signs of deterioration. As Ron said they are easy to inspect.

[imgoin4it]

I replaced the serpentine belt on our coach at about the 6 year mark. Did it on recommendation of a mech at the dealer as he said it was developing fine cracks. Did the compressor belt at same time. I now carry it as a spare and I cannot see any fine cracks in it. Had a trusted mech at place where I get coach serviced nowadays check the radiator hoses. He said they were getting a little hard on our 2007 motor home and that could probably go some longer. We were starting a 5000 mile trip and a friend just had a hose replaced on his same year motor home after being towed to a repair shop. I had him replace all the radiator hoses.

[Trackrig]

usersmanual wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:

I have found that when it comes to belts and hoses OEM are best

Nothing wrong with OEM parts, but especially on hoses and belts, you can buy better. I keep my vehicles for a long time. When it comes to hoses I go to silicone hoses, much more expensive, but I've never replaced one of them and I kept my 1983 Chevy diesel for 29 years. If the mfg can save a dime, they will as long as the part will fail after the warranty is off.

Bill

[Jim_Norman]

Hmmmm, I don't know what to expect as to the life of working belts, however I will be purchasing and carrying a complete set of belts and filters. Still working out the Spare Tire. Also carrying 2-1/2 Gallons of DEF. Not sure what else I'll load yet.

[theoldwizard1]

50 years ago, that was the norm. One of my "daily drivers" has 19 year old radiator hoses and 10+ year old serpentine belt (the old one is stored with the spare tire; looked good when removed).

I traded in my other car after 10 years with the original hoses and belts. Heck, I only changed the antifreeze once !

Admittedly, neither were diesels.

Carrying spares and clamps is not a bad idea, especially when you can buy the parts online for deep discounts.

[lc0338]

usersmanual wrote:

lc0338 wrote:
I guess it all depends on whether you want to replace on side of road or at your convenience. Belts are rubber just like tires and they break down over time. The engine compartment is a pretty harsh environment so I would think 5 years to be a pretty good number... at least to do serious inspections. Serpentine belts are easier to inspect and when you see cracking on the groove side it indicates the rubber has lost it's flexibility. If you believe think 5 years is too often then you are probably one who don't mind replacing on side of road. Remember also that failure modes follow a bell curve shape. Few parts fail at the low side of the curve and a few fail at the high side of the curve... so there will alway's be someone who has a belt or hose that has made it 300,000 miles and 20 years 🙂

Its rather obvious I was referring to the 5 year deal in my opinion is not a given in the car world. MH as said is more of a inspect and decide on a yearly basis.His 2002 to "repeat" should be replaced
if original. to insinuate that because I may go more than 5 years I like to replace stuff on the side of the road is plain stupid comment on your part.

I don't personally know you so you may be pretty stupid

[usersmanual]

rgatijnet1 wrote:
I've had Dayco belts fail at 15,000 miles and I have had Gates belts last twice as long. An inspection to check for cracks should tell you when it is time.

I have found that when it comes to belts and hoses OEM are best

[usersmanual]

lc0338 wrote:
I guess it all depends on whether you want to replace on side of road or at your convenience. Belts are rubber just like tires and they break down over time. The engine compartment is a pretty harsh environment so I would think 5 years to be a pretty good number... at least to do serious inspections. Serpentine belts are easier to inspect and when you see cracking on the groove side it indicates the rubber has lost it's flexibility. If you believe think 5 years is too often then you are probably one who don't mind replacing on side of road. Remember also that failure modes follow a bell curve shape. Few parts fail at the low side of the curve and a few fail at the high side of the curve... so there will alway's be someone who has a belt or hose that has made it 300,000 miles and 20 years 🙂

Its rather obvious I was referring to the 5 year deal in my opinion is not a given in the car world. MH as said is more of a inspect and decide on a yearly basis.His 2002 to "repeat" should be replaced
if original. to insinuate that because I may go more than 5 years I like to replace stuff on the side of the road is plain stupid comment on your part.

[rgatijnet1]

I've had Dayco belts fail at 15,000 miles and I have had Gates belts last twice as long. An inspection to check for cracks should tell you when it is time.

[lc0338]

I guess it all depends on whether you want to replace on side of road or at your convenience. Belts are rubber just like tires and they break down over time. The engine compartment is a pretty harsh environment so I would think 5 years to be a pretty good number... at least to do serious inspections. Serpentine belts are easier to inspect and when you see cracking on the groove side it indicates the rubber has lost it's flexibility. If you believe think 5 years is too often then you are probably one who don't mind replacing on side of road. Remember also that failure modes follow a bell curve shape. Few parts fail at the low side of the curve and a few fail at the high side of the curve... so there will alway's be someone who has a belt or hose that has made it 300,000 miles and 20 years 🙂

[usersmanual]

Snomas wrote:
When do you replace serpintine belt and radiator hoses on
diesel engines? Last year I replaced all heater hoses & tank radiator hoses. Autos are generally 5 years.

really who said autos are 5 years? seriously never heard that before?
My belt on my ISL is 8 years old 26000 miles looks and feels like new.I carry a spare though. I looked at the hoses and seem pretty decent yet? at 2002 most likely well overdue
also on edit after thinking about it gassers actually have full upper and lower rad hoses that see extreme pressure from high RPM and heat where as my DP has 80% metal pipe with the blue silicon short hose connecters - big difference in this case