Check it out. Order a feel gauge on the right side of the page. You just lay it in the groove and run your finger across the belt. If the gauge is not above the ribs the belt is worn out. Wonder how worn the pulleys are?
You try to do a good thing for for everyone and you get you foot stepped on...
LOL !
Just was reading a magazine and ran across it and thought it was interesting. Didn't know these new belts where even out. I ordered one. With 7 cars with sep belts and high miles they are all probably worn.
[This message has been edited by Dodgerunner (edited 05-16-2010).]
I found out that Gates is one of only a couple or three manufacturers that make their belts in the US. I ordered mine though Checkers and paid nearly twice what the Chinese belts cost but hopefully they will wear better.
I think this is just a sneaky self advertisement for your tensioner kit... And if it wasn't, it now is.
I don't understand that at all. The article had nothing to do with tensioners, or tensioners wearing the belts out. It was about belts being worn and the operator not knowing. So to say DR was advertising his belt tensioner is a load of crap.
Allow me to thank you DR, as I didn't know manufacturers changed the belt composition before, so this was a great public service announcement. I have a gauge on the way.
Some are very bad... Some not... No easy way to measure it that I've seen.
On L4 Fiero... Charge crack pulley to a Harmonic Balancer. Slows/stops some kind of vibration in crack and give you a new pulley. New or very good rebuild alt get new pulley. AC clutch is same. Water pump... I don't know if you can buy new. Try gm dealer, etc.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
The Gates one is easy to use with one hand and on car... Good thing since I have one hand... See doc Gates provided.
Dayco one is good for some front engine and bench test. Look like it can be hard to use it on fiero engines.
I ordered Dayco one. should be here in 2 week to a month...
Want I wish... Free pulley gauge. So I can tell if pulley is bad.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
I got my Dayco one today... Not bad since there was a 3 holidays. Stamp for 1st class postage. It came in a #10 envelope. Ouch. USP machine hates that. Don't be surprise if they get lost in the mail. Mine came with some envelope damage but OK otherwise.
------------------ Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should. (Jurassic Park)
Update.... Gates has a free Apple app that says can show wear of belt using a picture of belt in question. (I don't use an apple phone...)
quote
Sharpen your Accessory Belt Drive System (ABDS) diagnostic skills with Gates new Parts Image Capture (PIC) Gauge Belt Wear App. The first-of-its-kind smartphone App delivers accurate measurement and evaluation of automotive and heavy-duty K-section serpentine belt wear.
Using state-of-the-art digital imaging technology in concert with industry-standard specifications for serpentine belts, the PIC Gauge utilizes a photograph taken with the smartphone's built-in camera, which is then analyzed by patent-pending software to determine the degree of rib wear detected.
PIC Gauge allows you to: • Quickly perform important maintenance inspections for your customers. • Show customers the degree of belt wear detected, educating them as to why a belt replacement is being recommended. • Be confident in your recommendations.
As part of good ABDS maintenance practice, technicians are encouraged to also replace the tensioner when replacing a serpentine belt to ensure optimum system performance.
Download PIC Gauge for free from Apple's App StoreSM. For more information or to access training materials and special offers visit GatesBeltWear.com.
With gates belt, the gauge is the only way to tell how much wear the is, until it breaks. The wont crack like the old belts so you can never see failure coming. You should be able to get the gauge at you parts store. We had a counter display full of them.
Review: I find the Gates gauge is much easier to use on the car. Hole goes on tip of ring finger then you can feel the gauge area to pass/fail the belt w/o seeing. Dayco Gauge is good when testing used belts on the bench. That can save good ones and junk bad ones. No guessing needed.
After watching PIC 2.0 videos... The apps won't help Most owners. For one, Gates recommend that the belt removal is needed. Is a good for shops replacing parts that needs belt off. A good shop hates to put a bad belt back on... many times ends return call, bad review on a blog/list, etc.
Another Dayco video shows Krikit tension gauge and Laser alignment tool. krikit gauge has 2 versions... 1 for V belts, 1 for Serpents. Both under $30 That tool stops over/under tension for V6 Fiero. Both will cause belt wear and noise. Google: krikit gauge Amazon has both under Goodyear and Gates brands <$20 each
Belt tension... For use with Krikit tool etc. Note that a belt is "used" after engine runs a few seconds.
2.5 VIN R New, alt 145lb, AC 165lb Used, alt 70lb, AC 80lb
2.8 VIN 9 New, alt 145lb, AC 145lb Used, alt 70lb, AC 70lb Source: 86FSM but apply to all engine w/ manual belt tension. (Last page in Engine Cooling section)
V6 uses small Krikit tool because its test range, 30-150lb, even tho Dayco says V belt. Tool is rated 7/8(0.875)in wide belt. V6 belt is ~11/16(0.68)in wide.
Sorry, GM gives No data for 87 and later 2.5 VIN R. See my Cave, Serpent Belt for VIN R belt tensioner.
