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Serpentine Belt

jhm

By jhm
in Ask A GM Technician

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jhm Senior Enthusiast

jhm

Posted
Posted

I checked my manual for scheduled maintenance. Nowhere does it say to replace the belt. I can't think of any other make that dosent reccomend replacing after approx 80-100k. Must be a reason???

05GMCZ71 Enthusiast

05GMCZ71

Posted
Posted

I certainly does need to be replaced and I would suggest around 70,000 miles or 7 years, whatever comes first. Yes there are people who get 100,000+ miles on the original belt, but common sense says you don't wait that long, just like you don't wait 100,000 miles before changing the plugs. Replacing the serp belt is one of the easiest repairs you can do on your truck, go get a good quality Gates or Goodyear belt from NAPA or Autozone, and have at it! $30.00 is about all you will have to spend.

jhm Senior Enthusiast

jhm

Posted
  • Author
Posted
I certainly does need to be replaced and I would suggest around 70,000 miles or 7 years, whatever comes first. Yes there are people who get 100,000+ miles on the original belt, but common sense says you don't wait that long, just like you don't wait 100,000 miles before changing the plugs. Replacing the serp belt is one of the easiest repairs you can do on your truck, go get a good quality Gates or Goodyear belt from NAPA or Autozone, and have at it! $30.00 is about all you will have to spend.

i dont care about price or simplicity. WHY does the owners manual not adress it?

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

 

That thread is a joke IMO. Be careful what you read on the internet.

 

Belt on the silverado takes 10 minutes to replace.

 

The thread is a joke? That GM Tech was the best this site ever had. How long have you been an ASE Certified tech? I think you shoul be careful what you SAY on the internet. :thumbs:

 

 

I was an ASE Certified tech for 7 years and am now an Aerospace Engineer. I just don't go around and tout my credentials.

 

Ill state my opinion as I feel.

 

Good luck running your "lifetime" belt. :cool:

 

IMO = In MY Opinion. You're welcome to take it or leave it... but that's what these forums are for. I don't know of any belt manufacturer that would recommend not inspecting/replacing the serp belt... its not a lifelong product and its failure will leave you on the side of the road. Almost every vehicle service schedule that I have used during my time as an ASE Tech included "check belts and hoses" on a relatively frequent basis.... sometimes 15, 20 or 30k intervals.

markw8 Enthusiast

markw8

Posted
Posted

In my 08 GMC owners manual, chapter 6 page 8. Additional Required Services. At the bottom.

 

Inspect engine accessory drive belt

An Emission Control Service

See footnote (q)

 

(q) Visually inspect belt for fraying, excessive cracks, or

obvious damadge. Replace belt if necessary.

 

Mark

Jsdirt Senior Enthusiast

Jsdirt

Posted
Posted
i dont care about price or simplicity. WHY does the owners manual not adress it?

Probably because GM doesn't want it's customers doing any work to their own vehicles. It's painfully obvious with some of the designs of systems these things ... like how you change headlight bulbs, and that single stupid torsion spring on the drum brakes ... but I digress ....

 

I think they want the belt to shred, & then leave your wife on the side of the highway at rush hour ... so you'll second guess your abilities & come running to the dealer with $300 for a belt swap. :uhoh:

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

As i said in post #4 and like markw8 posted, i'm fairly certain it's an "inspect and replace" item.

 

It's just like tires, brakes and hoses... those arent listed as "to be replaced at _____ miles". Does that mean they don't need to be replaced? No. They're items that are meant to be inspected on a consistent basis and replaced as necessary.

 

GM probably felt it was a waste to specify a mileage to replace the belt, especially since belt wear isn't as much of a function of mileage as it is about engine revolutions. So instead of telling us to replace it at XX,XXX miles, they say to replace it when necessary. It's not rocket science (no pun intended :uhoh:)

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