Engine And Fan Belt Lifespan

[GPGuy]

Basically like it says how old were the above mentioned belts when you replaced them? Did you replace them because of visible wear, squealing or to upgrade to a different brand belt?

 

I'm probably going to need to replace mine because at the end of the winter I was really starting to notice a squeal on really cold or cold and damp days. Just wondering if it's normal for this to happen with a truck at about 47k miles? I may have them check it out to make sure it's not something else but I'm thinking not because since the weather turned warm in the spring I haven't heard a peep out of it.

[CapitalTruck]

These are long wearing belts. I replaced mine at about 100k, which is the scheduled interval if I recall correctly. These EPDM belts last a lot longer than the rubber ones of yore. I also did the tensioners and idler pulley just for maintenance purposes. I figured that those parts should be replaced at 100k also. The OEM tensioners and pulleys are Gates.

[HawkScot]

x2 ...and I save the old belt for my underseat spare (I know it fits).

[GPGuy]

x2 ...and I save the old belt for my underseat spare (I know it fits).

That's not a bad idea. I didn't think of that.

[txab]

Jeremy hit it on the head. Belt material is good for at least 100k. If you've got a squeal check all your tensioners and pulleys for noise. Sometimes you need to replace the belt to lose the squeal.

[Black02Silverado]

Jeremy hit it on the head. Belt material is good for at least 100k. If you've got a squeal check all your tensioners and pulleys for noise. Sometimes you need to replace the belt to lose the squeal.

 

Yep, was going to post the same thing. +1

[GasHog369]

Replaced my belts at 40k or so .. Mainly due to a squeak i could not stand anymore.

While i was in there replacing belts , i found out the price of the tensioners and pulley were cheap so i did those at same time. Squeak gone , truck sounds like new, and i have a spare belt under back seat in case of anything..

[Bob D]

Replaced mine @ +/- 60K. Premature? Maybe yes, but if belt goes, you're not going anywhere.

I always have a spare belt (as do some previous posters) in ziplock bag in tool box. Easy to replace if something horrible happens.

[MikeNH]

I only have 6k on mine but out of curiosity, how do you change the AC belt on the new (2010+ I think) engines? There is no tensioner for the AC belt.

[crankman]

x2 ...and I save the old belt for my underseat spare (I know it fits).

 

 

X3 nice to have a spare belt, piece of mind on the road.

[Bronc]

I only have 6k on mine but out of curiosity, how do you change the AC belt on the new (2010+ I think) engines? There is no tensioner for the AC belt.

 

They use a stretch belt setup. You cut the belt to remove, for install you walk it onto the pulley with an installation tool by barring the engine over.

[CapitalTruck]

Stretch belt...it never ends I swear. That sounds like great fun to install.

[tanked_darren]

Stretch belt...it never ends I swear. That sounds like great fun to install.

Probably not as bad as you think.

[wavery]

Me too..... upper & lower radiator hoses too.

Replaced mine @ +/- 60K. Premature? Maybe yes, but if belt goes, you're not going anywhere.

I always have a spare belt (as do some previous posters) in ziplock bag in tool box. Easy to replace if something horrible happens.