fan-belt replacement & other maintenance

spikefish · August 22, 2005

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra with 60,000 miles and has been great.

My question is, when do I replace the fan-belt? I am about to go on a long trip and checked the manual and there was no help there. Are there any "tricks" on replacing it? Also, what other items should I check, or look for, for on a truck five years old?

asepgrad98 · August 22, 2005

fan belt should be ok, look for fraying or excessive cracking.

May be a good time to change the tranny, rear end, front end, transfer case, coolant fluids.

Bish · August 22, 2005

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra with 60,000 miles and has been great.

My question is, when do I replace the fan-belt? I am about to go on a long trip and checked the manual and there was no help there. Are there any "tricks" on replacing it? Also, what other items should I check, or look for, for on a truck five years old?

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I replace my serpentine belt (and AC belt) every 50K. Cheap insurance if you ask me since you cannot drive without the belt. I also had to replace both belt tensioners and the serp pully at 100K as they were squealing.

Regarding relacing the belt....put a socket on the tensioner and crank clockwise to remove belt. To install I put the belt on everything except the alternator. Crank the tensioner and slip the belt on the alternator pulley.

kdm101 · August 23, 2005

I did both of the belts last summer (5 years old at the time). My mileage was also somewhere in the 50K range then too.

The main belt is pretty easy, but the AC belt was a PITA! Even if the belt still looks OK, 5 years is pretty much an acceptable life span. Better to spend the $20 for a new belt than get stuck on the road. You can always keep the old belt for a while as an emergency spare, or just keep the new one with you on your trip in case the original decides to go.

spikefish · August 23, 2005

Thanks for the replies.

I looked at my belt and it seems to be OK. Talked to my wife and she reminded me that we will driving about 2000 miles in the desert. Think I'll change the belt and keep the old one for insurance. I've changed them on other vehicles so it shouldn't be a problem.

Again, thanks.