Gates serpentine (test) belts
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth. Fl.,USA Fl
Gates serpentine (test) belts
By now the recipients should be receiving the new Gates prototype belt designed for the C-5. I have installed mine and have noticed a remarkable difference..quieter and no "garage shift " or low idle vibration/ rumble. Please keep a record of your installation and results for future reporting. Good luck
Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 712
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clarita Ca
Re: Gates serpentine (test) belts (JCR)
By now the recipients should be receiving the new Gates prototype belt designed for the C-5. I have installed mine and have noticed a remarkable difference..quieter and no "garage shift " or low idle vibration/ rumble. Please keep a record of your installation and results for future reporting. Good luck
what is "garage shift"?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: South Lyon MI
Re: Gates serpentine (test) belts (JCR)
By now the recipients should be receiving the new Gates prototype belt designed for the C-5. I have installed mine and have noticed a remarkable difference..quieter and no "garage shift " or low idle vibration/ rumble. Please keep a record of your installation and results for future reporting. Good luck
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Albany OR
Re: Gates serpentine (Racer1x)
Got mine on today. It was fine for most of the day. Tonight it started making quite a bit of noise, not the rumble though, almost like dry bearings. I'll run it tomorrow and see if it is temperature related. So far I'm not impressed. I was having as good or better luck with a gatorback. I'll throw the second one on there and see how it does.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth. Fl.,USA Fl
Re: Gates serpentine (vettatude)
Thats interesting.. Sounds like the new belt is so quiet you are now hearing engine /mechanical noises. You may have to replace your tensioner or idler pulleys. You stated that the rumble is gone and that is a very significant improvement.. I don't think you need to change the belt as this is a positive result.. good luck.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 4,174
Likes: 15
From: Florida
Re: Gates serpentine (JCR)
sorry to interupt, both those of you running Gatorback belts, where did you get the ones for a Vette and what are the part numbers. (When wet I get some belt squeal, so would like to replace)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 0
From: Taylor TX
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Re: Gates serpentine (Killrwheels)
Here's what I did to fix mine:
1) Remove the belts
2) Scrub all pulley surfaces with brake cleaner and a small wire brush to remove any debris/rust/grease
3) Install new Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt ($29 from local parts store, much cheaper than OEM).
I tried a new GM belt, and it squealed just like the original. I also replaced the idler pulley, but upon inspection I don't think it was a problem.
The Goodyear belt is very unique. It has the pulley grooves, but then it's also cut at an angle across the belt every 1/10th inch. It makes the belt very pliable, and there's probably less surface area contact to the sides of the pulley grooves.
I haven't had any squeaking at all since then, nor any problems with belt slippage even at WOT.
The Goodyear belt numbers are:
4060802 Serpentine belt
4040420 AC belt
1) Remove the belts
2) Scrub all pulley surfaces with brake cleaner and a small wire brush to remove any debris/rust/grease
3) Install new Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt ($29 from local parts store, much cheaper than OEM).
I tried a new GM belt, and it squealed just like the original. I also replaced the idler pulley, but upon inspection I don't think it was a problem.
The Goodyear belt is very unique. It has the pulley grooves, but then it's also cut at an angle across the belt every 1/10th inch. It makes the belt very pliable, and there's probably less surface area contact to the sides of the pulley grooves.
I haven't had any squeaking at all since then, nor any problems with belt slippage even at WOT.
The Goodyear belt numbers are:
4060802 Serpentine belt
4040420 AC belt
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 46,763
Likes: 5
From: Boynton Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '07-'12, '20
Re: Gates serpentine (16Again)
:confused: What "new" belt? What is the difference between the regular one and this one?
Bob
Bob
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Albany OR
Re: Gates serpentine (16Again)
The belt is made with a different core material, don't remember right now what it is. This material has different vibrational harmonics than the engine at the rpms that belt rumble most commonly occurs. So I guess its supposed to help offset those vibrations at the low rpms.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 947
Likes: 1
From: Lake Worth. Fl.,USA Fl
Re: Gates serpentine (16Again)
In answer to your question , the C-5 has a significant design problem relating to the span, and tension applied to the serpentine belt. The long span coupled with the GM (Dayco) belt after 5000 miles begins to stretch which causes a vibration rumble (see TSB #99-06-08029). GM tried to resolve this issue by redesigning the alternator with decoupler pulley, but the vibration returns after the belt stretches. Most techs like to put a tensioner with higher force , but this only increases the stretching . Gates company has asked me to test a new aramid belt that would hopefully not stretch and start rumbling as the current ones do. I do not think its on the market yet as it is in testing. I volunteered along with several other forum members to be the guinea pig. So far it works great We'll see.
