Serpentine Belt Change Interval

[AHarris]

I'm thinking of changing the serpentine belt at around 50K . When are you guys changing yours?

 

[Slow Six]

I don't replace them until they need to be changed. I never changed the belt on my 03 and it had over 150,000 miles on it. That being said I did carry a spare just in case. I had the Jacobs Ebrake so it took a different belt which no one usually kept in stock. The serpentines last a long time if nothing damages them. I drive a Western Star hauling oil where we run all gravel roads and once in a while a small piece of rock gets stuck in a groove and cuts the belt.

 

[AEdelheit]

I did mine at 100k, I think it's good practice. I'd recommend the Goodyear gator back when you do.

 

[BigPapa]

I changed mine at 100K. Belt looked OK so I kept it as a spare. Didn't change it until I pulled the motor to swap trucks last year at 375K miles. As long as you have a spare I'd let her go till it breaks UNLESS you have a newer truck with the electric fan clutch.



Also, FYI, I never replaced a hose in those 375K miles.

 

[JLandry]

I did mine at 100k, I think it's good practice. I'd recommend the Goodyear gator back when you do.

Ditto...



I feel comfortable with a 100,000 mile change interval (but inspect it periodically for cracks and wear), use ONLY a GatorBack belt (to prevent any squeaking, squealing, or chirping problems), and always carry a spare.



John L.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

I, too, will go along with the 100,000 mile replacement group. (Add a milestone tag - change a belt ) Over a "few" years I have had three 5. 9 gassers, one 5. 7 Hemi, and three Cummins, all having in excess of 100K before I changed the serpentine belts. Even then, all but two appeared to still be serviceable at that interval; the two that were bad had "road debris" damage - small rock imbedded on the groved side which was cutting into the cords. The good used ones go under the back seat as a spare. One of the most important things is to employ a thorough periodic inspection schedule. I usually replace with OEM MOPAR belts since I have had outstanding service life from them (and "help" from $ome good parts guy$ and gal$ - make me really )

 

[dualsportin]

While pulling my 5er with my 07 6. 7 up a mountain pass I got a brief squeal out of something up front, didn't know if was the serpentine or the tensioner. Trucks got 45k on it and spinning 2750 rpm @ the time. Any thoughts?... ... ... ... ...

 

[AEdelheit]

I'd guess the belt squeals as the fan clutch engages, at 2700rpm that eng fan takes up some good hp

 

[dualsportin]

Thanks AEdelheit, that makes more sense than the tensioner going bad @ such a low mileage. Having to change the belt on the road would be bad enough let alone the tensioner pulley.

 

[AHarris]

Thanks all--I might as well wait. I've got a new gatorback belt that I'll throw on at 100K... the belt that's on the truck looks fine at 52K.

 

[KLauber]

I changed mine at 117K, it was starting to squeak at shut down. Wasn't cracked, just old looking. I kept it as an emergency belt!



Ken

 

[goodguys75]

from my understanding, the materials that these belts run, dont show cracks, like the old stuff did... it is the wearing of the grooves of the belt that make it fail... that is what i read at one time. But I always still do check for cracks and tearing... but i have 65,000 on my truck and I was going to change... just because... I will pay the cost of a belt anytime and change when i want too, over doing it on the side of a road. .