Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) serpentine belt replacement

[JCyrbok]

How long are u guys getting out of ur belts? Mine is the original with about 70K miles/5. 5 years on it. SHould I just go ahead and change it out to be safe? What about the tensioner pully, change too or wait until the bearing goes?



Idea?



Thanks



J-

 

[PC12Driver]

I'd say just go ahead and change it. For the price, it's cheap insurance. And it's fairly easy to change, too. I replaced mine at about 40k because it had a odd looking crack starting to form. And I replaced it again at 80k because I had the front of the motor apart.



Or if you want to make an afternoon out of it, pull your radiator and give it a good cleaning at the same time. You wouldn't believe the amount of gunk and bugs they collect behind the intercooler. And with the radiator out, you'll have all kinds of room to swap the belt and the pulley (why not if you're already there?). And that'll take care of the 24 month coolant change, too. You'll be all ready for summer.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Serpentine Betls

We replaced our belt at around 100K. Dutch was noticing small cracks along the belt and felt it was time. If you have no cracks, you are probably ok. As far as the pulley is concerned. If you start hearing a squealing sound, that is a signal that the bearing is going and it is time to replace it. We replaced ours after it started quealing at around 120K. Diana

 

[JCyrbok]

thanks guys/girls,



I ordered a new belt and pulley from Genos. I'm gonna change out the belt, as I do have some cracking on the stock one. I have no noise from the pulley so I will either just change it out or throw it in the tool box for the inevitable time when the bearing does wear out.



Thanks again



J-

 

[BlakeDavis]

I changed my belt at around 95k, I had to put on a water pump so I thought I'd might as well change the belt too, went ahead and changed the thermostat too since i had most of the water out of it.

 

[randrade]

I just changed my belt at 119K and the old one had some cracks but nothing major. Put it in the tool box for a spare. Changed the t stat at the same time, and now I have a small leak It isn't coming from the t stat housing, it seems to be coming from somewhere between the fan shroud and the radiator. any ideas? thanks

Rafael

 

[JFlagg]

I'm not sure where I read it, but somebody posted on here that their shroud rubbed a small hole in a fin on the radiator. Not sure how he fixed it, though he put spacers between the shroud and the radiator to prevent it from happening again. Good Luck

 

[JCyrbok]

tensioner pulley bolt torque

What would the torque for the tensioner PULLEY bolt be?



My service manual only lists the torque for the actual mounting bolt for the entire assembly, which is 30ft/lbs and says that the whole assembly has to be replaced, not just the pulley, which we all know is not true.



Any idea's? Also does the entire assembly have to be removed to replace the pulley? or would it just be easier to remove the whole tensioner assembly?



Thanks planing on doing belt and tensioner tommorow.



J-

 

[JCyrbok]

OK changed out the my belt today and it went real easy. Took about 10 minutes and about 30 seconds of extra hand help from my wife. I did not change out the tensioner pulley as I was kinda of pressed for time. After the new belt the tensoiner seems to move (oscilate) side to side (left and right when looking at front of engine) and I dont recall it doing that prior to change. Checked the tracking of the belt and all seemed well to me.



Any ideas or is this something that I had just not noticed before?



Thanks



J-



PS sure am glad that I changed it when I did. Had 2 full width and nearly all the way thru cracks in the belt. Thinking that it would not have lasted to much longer!

 

[JFlagg]

OK changed out the my belt today and it went real easy. Took about 10 minutes and about 30 seconds of extra hand help from my wife. I did not change out the tensioner pulley as I was kinda of pressed for time. After the new belt the tensoiner seems to move (oscilate) side to side (left and right when looking at front of engine) and I dont recall it doing that prior to change. Checked the tracking of the belt and all seemed well to me.



Any ideas or is this something that I had just not noticed before?



Thanks



J-



PS sure am glad that I changed it when I did. Had 2 full width and nearly all the way thru cracks in the belt. Thinking that it would not have lasted to much longer!

Had to change mine today, the whole forwardmost rib had cut off. Found pieces slung up on my turbo, exhaust manifold, battery. Luckily I had my spare bought already, but after replacemnet I noticed my tensioner kind wiggling side to side like you mentioned. Not sure if it did it before though, I don't think it will be a problem though.

 

[AFoulk]

The pulley wiggling side to side might be what caused your belt to loose the forward most rib. If the belt was "walking" on the pulley this could have easily caused that. Check the shinny spot on your tensioner pulley where the belt normaly rides on it. If its wider than the belt, I'd change it, if its the same width, I'd say its ok.

 

[JFlagg]

That makes sense, I'll check out in the morning. Can't complain though, went 130K on this one. Check it fairly regularly, just started to come apart in the last few hundred miles I would say. Thanks for the tip.

 

[JCyrbok]

I found that the "wiggle" that I had with the new belt, went away after a couple of days. I caulk it up to the belt settling in. I have no weird wear.



J-