Long awaited fix kit for 3.3L/3.8L now available

[Spit]

Stevo...I respect your opinion you make some good points.

Pesonally I don't smoke or drink and Mr. Happy still "gets her done" without any pharmalogical help... nor am or my daughters single monthers . Although I have been called a mother-____ on occasion.

I haven't seen or installed the Gates kit and I would assume that you have given your strong endorsement? I have installed the Dorman kit, 2 years ago and it works fine. I said in my earlier post hat the rest of the components tensioners, idlers etc. must be working properly. If anyone feels that the $129 is the way to go. Go for it!!!

They should be aware that once they install this custom kit That they may have difficulty getting the kit belt replaced in an emergency situation as it will be a special part and the standard belt may or may not work properly with the grooved idler pulleys. They will have to get it from Gates/Gates Dealer which a lot of places are.... but not everywhere...it may not be an in-stock it...have to be a special order due to relativley low usage.

So a further fix might be to keep a spare belt in the van so add another couple cases of beer, cartons of smokes, or woodies in a bottle to the $129.
But what the heck it's only money right?


Spit

[appstech]

Originally Posted by Spit

Stevo...I respect your opinion you make some good points.

Pesonally I don't smoke or drink and Mr. Happy still "gets her done" without any pharmalogical help... nor am or my daughters single monthers . Although I have been called a mother-____ on occasion.

I haven't seen or installed the Gates kit and I would assume that you have given your strong endorsement? I have installed the Dorman kit, 2 years ago and it works fine. I said in my earlier post hat the rest of the components tensioners, idlers etc. must be working properly. If anyone feels that the $129 is the way to go. Go for it!!!

They should be aware that once they install this custom kit That they may have difficulty getting the kit belt replaced in an emergency situation as it will be a special part and the standard belt may or may not work properly with the grooved idler pulleys. They will have to get it from Gates/Gates Dealer which a lot of places are.... but not everywhere...it may not be an in-stock it...have to be a special order due to relativley low usage.

So a further fix might be to keep a spare belt in the van so add another couple cases of beer, cartons of smokes, or woodies in a bottle to the $129.
But what the heck it's only money right?


Spit

Actually, Mopar has started stocking the 3.0L kits and soon will start stocking the 3.3/3.8L kits, so there will not be a problem getting an extra belt if something goes wrong. It is nice to see that Mopar is starting to stock these kits. You mentioned that there would be relatively low usage....Do you realize how many of these vans are out there? Also, goodyear is stocking these as well. Places like CSK and Murrays and Napa also. So....all this to say, don't worry about availability of parts.

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by appstech

Actually, Mopar has started stocking the 3.0L kits and soon will start stocking the 3.3/3.8L kits, so there will not be a problem getting an extra belt if something goes wrong. It is nice to see that Mopar is starting to stock these kits. You mentioned that there would be relatively low usage....Do you realize how many of these vans are out there? Also, goodyear is stocking these as well. Places like CSK and Murrays and Napa also. So....all this to say, don't worry about availability of parts.

I can understand why many repair shops will be stocking this kit. They will be pushing these on everybody whether they need it or not. Instead of a little diagnosis they will sell the kit and get rich. The kit will be $150.00 2 1/2hours labor at $85.00 per hour. Every job will be a $400.00 home run.

[Spit]

MrBiz,
You go that right. I can't see the value in a $129 kit when a $10 one has worked absolutely perfectly for me. If I tried the $10 kit and it didn't work, I'd gladly go for the $129...I wonder if Dayco came up with a $259 kit if some would say that's the way to go any we are only be cheap to use the $129 kit?

[Mrbizness1]

Originally Posted by Spit

MrBiz,
You go that right. I wonder if Dayco came up with a $259 kit if some would say that's the way to go any we are only be cheap to use the $129 kit?

The reason I feel this way is because this happened to me the first time the belt came off. The dealer sold me a TSB dated back to 7/99 for $250.00.
It worked a little better, intead of it coming off around the corner it came off after a several miles of driving. I should have known better after not having any problems for 96k miles until they replaced the belt.