Serpentine belt
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 360
Likes: 2
From: Greenville, SC
Go ahead and replace it. If you're looking for a bit of peace of mind, it won't come much cheaper or with less investment of time.
Just my two cents. To answer your question indirectly, a lot of factors go into life expectancy of components UNDER the hood and they're unique to the owner's use of the vehicle and operating conditions.
Just my two cents. To answer your question indirectly, a lot of factors go into life expectancy of components UNDER the hood and they're unique to the owner's use of the vehicle and operating conditions.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
Thanks for all of the responses. The truck's got a little over 51k miles on it. I was thinking about the getting the Gates vs the Motorcraft actually. So it matters on the mileage more than age?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
It's more of an "on condition" item really. Mileage and age can be a good rule of thumb but not the deciding factor. Heat, dirt, oil leaks all affect the life of the belt. Check the belt on the ribbed side for cracking and missing pieces of the ribs. I've read a certain percentage of the ribs may even be missing and the belt be servicable but I'm not comfortable with that. Just significant cracking is time to replace in my opinion. On our trucks, the back (smooth side) does some work also, a shiny glazed appearance there might indicate slipping and would be another reason to replace it.
Trending Topics
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
The gates green stripe is a good belt.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
All right, so I've been running the same belt. It's got a little over 60k on it now. I know aftermarket manufacturers recommend replacing timing belts at 60k. Of course I realize this isn't a timing belt but just thinking along the same lines. I haven't seen any cracks really but haven't gotten a good look at it either. I need to get a good light in there. Any other thoughts on the belt?
Chris, if I got a Gates I would really like the Green Stripe except it looks like the entire belt is green which looks a little weird, to me anyway.
Chris, if I got a Gates I would really like the Green Stripe except it looks like the entire belt is green which looks a little weird, to me anyway.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 80,535
Likes: 97
From: Norlina NC
it eventually rubs off after awhile... its what im running on my truck.. they use to call it their commercial/fleet belt. its supposed to be more "durable" than the factory belts to last longer. dont know if its true or not.. but havent seen any cracking on it since i replaced it after getting the truck.. 54K miles still looks almost like new if you dont count the green coloring being worn off half the belt.. ntm after you put all the covers back on the shrouds and pipes back in place you really dont see the belt anymore..
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
Thanks for that. That's really the belt I wanted to go with except that it was green. I'm still in a little of a quandary of when to replace it though. I need to inspect it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 80,535
Likes: 97
From: Norlina NC
i mainly did mine because i didnt know when it was last done since i bought the truck used... on all my other toys i tend to do it once every 60K or it they were showing signs of splitting/cracking... age tends to play a big factor in some of them.. for example my Mustangs on its 2nd belt (counting the factory one here).. i replaced it here just last summer because it developed a 2" long split lengthwise in the middle of the belt.. my stang only has 56K on it.. and its now 14 years old.. essh cant believe its been that long already.. feels like i just bought it yesterday too..
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
I've been through several on my fox body but it's got almost 275k on it. Anyway, it just really surprises me the amount of time some folks are getting out of theirs when I've heard it's "supposed" to be every 60k.