Question about serpentine belt...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 25,058
Likes: 1,265
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '11
Question about serpentine belt...
This coming spring I will have had my 2004 Vette for 5 years. I now have a little over 24,000 miles on it(I have several other vehicles that I drive so I haven't really driven it to the max)...the serpentine belt looks like it did when it was brand new but I don't think looks tells the whole story on condition...haven't taken it off to examine it closely for stress cracks on the grooved side...whats the general rule, if any, on determining if a new belt is needed?...I don't want to wait until it fails. Would appreciate your opinions. Thanks
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
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From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I ran mine for over 100K miles before I changed it. It was still in good shape at the time. Basicallly, a simple inspection for cracks or abnormal wear on it and that's it. When they wear out, you'll hear them starting to slip or screech. Time for a Gatorback or similar then.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 241
Likes: 1
From: Chesterfield MO
Was just reading through the original marketing brochure (ordered on eBay) for my '99. Noticed they mention 100,000 mile life for the serp belt.
I just put a new Gatorback on mine because my original was cracking - even though it only had 47k miles. I'd guess yours has plenty of life left.
I just put a new Gatorback on mine because my original was cracking - even though it only had 47k miles. I'd guess yours has plenty of life left.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 5
From: Orlando,Fl,USA
I just changed mine (6 yrs old). I started to see cracks across the ribs so I changed them. There is a small a/c belt and the larger serpentine belt. Hint: You can get the a/c belt off and on much easier from the bottom with just a 15mm wrench for releasing the tensioner. You can also visualize if its on right from underneath. It is really worth the effort to get it up in the air to do that a/c belt. The serp belt is a piece of cake from the top side.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
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