Serpentine belt replacement.

Huney1 · #1 11-09-2006, 02:49 PM

45,500 miles on our 03 and the belt looks good but for $27. I can get a new one and put it on myself. I think the manual says replace at 60K miles but has anyone had experience with them breaking early on? Few months ago someone said the Good Year Gator Back is good.

EDIT: HAHA! I checked the manual and for the 150,000 mile service it says if the belt hasn't been changed in 100,000 miles it should be changed. Well, . . . DDUUHH . . .

65comet · #2 11-10-2006, 01:03 PM

I don't know about breaking early. On my 98 Duratec I changed the belt at 60,000 just to be safe. Now I'm at 200,000 with a new belt in the trunk that I'm hoping to change this weekend. After 140,000 miles it definitely looks old. If I didn't have winter weather to contend with, I'd probably keep it on a little longer just to see if it could go 150,000.

medicmandan · #3 11-10-2006, 04:28 PM

I've got almost 90K on my original belt on my 99 Taurus. Found some cracks when replacing the water pump so I'm replacing it soon too.

Huney1 · #4 11-10-2006, 05:40 PM

Thank ya'll for replying. I like to play it safe with critical items and rather than break a belt and be broke down on the side of the road I'd rather spend the $25. bucks or so and replace it at my liesure.

mwt878991 · #5 11-12-2006, 06:58 AM

I travel a lot of very rural areas and I have always changed my serpentine belts in the 35 to 40 K range. It may be overkill but peace of mind is worth it for me.

The Gatorback is an excellant choice and while you have it off I would also change the idler pully. I have had several Taurus and they have failed a couple of times.

Mike

mrflint · #6 11-13-2006, 01:39 AM

I changed my belt at 65K. The old belt was good, no cracks, it goes to the spare tire well as an emergency belt. I installed a dayco, but saw one at walmart for $15 marked Prestone.

Huney1 · #7 11-13-2006, 05:25 AM

Prestone belts: Here's a bunch. http://shopping.msn.com/results/shp/...2,av=2-4707425

I scoped out the route of the belt out and considering the twisting and turning, bending and flexing, it is really hard to understand why they don't get hot and fly apart the first hundred miles on the Interstate. Must be made out of good stuff. . . . .

MyTaurus8AChevy · #8 11-13-2006, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwt878991

The Gatorback is an excellant choice

Are these sold only at Goodyear stores?

Huney1 · #9 11-13-2006, 11:49 AM

"Are these sold only at Goodyear stores?" No Sir. Locally they have them at Auto Zone. http://www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com/cars/gatopoly.html
Look at the top menu, "Where To Buy," and you'll see who carries them. At the time I had never heard of Gator Back and all I asked was how much is a serpent belt for a 03 Taurus and best I recall they said $27.00 didn't say what kind and I didn't ask. Don't recollect who it was, but somewhere in our discussions it was said they are the best belt going.

I used the forum search engine and got a heck of a lot of hits, so check 'em out. http://www.automotiveforums.com/sear...RID%3A11&hl=en

WHOA! Quite a long html and I hope it works for you.

http://www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com/...hZwNE:uur6d6ic
That's for my 03 with the Vulcan screamer. <Grin>

Punch in your zip code and there you go.
http://www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com/...buy/index.html

MyTaurus8AChevy · #10 11-13-2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huney1

Punch in your zip code and there you go.

Hehehe... this is funny. We punched in our zipcode and it gave us a long list of places. We called each one but not one said that they carried the Gatorback

We will just go to AutoZone. I did a search on the Goodyear Gatorback belts and everyone seems to really love them, especially those with high performance engines. Seems the belts lasts 3 times longer and has a special v-grove design that grips the pulleys better. I figure if I'm going to replace it, I might as well use the best possible parts

Huney1 · #11 11-13-2006, 02:05 PM

I punched in my zip again and this time it didn't show ANY place here that has them. I can order on line for $26.99 part no 4060855 or wait until I go to the big city and get one. OK, going to catch me a little nap before the boss lady comes home. <Grin-Yawn>

MyTaurus8AChevy · #12 11-13-2006, 04:32 PM

We just bought our Gatorback but just our luck the parts guy tells us that we needs TWO of them

One for power steering/AC and one just for the water pump.

Do you guys think we should also replace the pulleys? It's got around 90K miles on it.

mwt878991 · #13 11-13-2006, 05:31 PM

It was me that said they were great. I have used them for a long time.

I previously said I probably change them too often but if you are gonna go long periods without changing that is the belt I would do it with.

Also if I remember correctly even my 94 only had one belt.

AZ is not known for having the brightest of help but I ahve purchased them for 3 different Taurus, Isuzu Rodeo, F150,Chevy P/U Olds 88.

The pulleys usually will start making noise for a few hundred miles before they fail but with my job I am always a few hundred miles from home. For under $20.00 it is pretty good peace of mind.

Mike

Huney1 · #14 11-13-2006, 06:53 PM

MyTaurus8AChevy = If I were you I replace both but there's only one on my 03.

mwt878991 - Thanks for turning us on to the GatorBack, you done good there Bro'. While I was Googling & researcning I saw where NASCAR race cars and other high performers use them, so I reckon if it's good enough for them it's good enough for my screaming Vulcan.

I sure have learned a lot in this forum and it's good when folks get together and share their knowledge.

MyTaurus8AChevy · #15 11-13-2006, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huney1

there's only one on my 03.

I found it. It's on the back of the engine, but no visible way to install it

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