Serpentine Belt Replacement 4 cyl specific

Did you buy your OEM belt from the dealership?

 

Toyota oem part 90916-02708 w/AC $82.47

 

I just replaced mine at 141k. Wasnt slipping yet. Figured it was time. Its such an easy replacement, i just went with something from rockauto. No issues.

 

I use dayco or gates belts. They are cheaper and just as good as oem

 

This might be simple and I’m overthinking it, but how do you read the wear marks on the tensioner?

 

I did mine a few years ago and used a USA Dayco belt from Auto Zone- not all stores stocked it but I found one locally. IIRC it was ~$25. No issues after 20k+ miles. The belt routing is a bit challenging to remember so I printed a small pic of it and taped it to the top of the air filter cover.

 

The only way I have heard to tell when a serpentine belt needs to be replaced is to use one of these tools, which I had sent free to me after watching "The Humble Mechanic" on Youtube:

 

The two marks are the good range, if the line on the tensioner is within the two lines it’s good, if it’s outside of the two lines it’s worn out

 

Appreciate it!

 

I reached the tensioner from the top with a breaker bar and 14mm socket. The breaker bar has a pivot at the socket, but a ratchet does not. Easiest belt change I ever did.
Any of the name brand belts will be good quality: Bando, Continental, Goodyear, Gates, etc. They all have the same basic construction and use EPDM, a synthetic rubber that lasts a very long time.

 

Folks, my belt and tensioner was replaced in 2015 at 75,000, with a NAPA belt. Now at 93,000 it is squeaking, and it sounds like it is slipping, especially when accelerating and when cold. I will check the indicator marks on the tensioner this afternoon.

The mechanic who performed the work said that I should just take the slack out of the belt by adjusting the alternator on its bracket, but I see no articles on how to move the alternator. The tensioner should be good, but I welcome your suggestions. There is a NAPA just two blocks from me and I am sure they would be glad to take my money for another belt.

 

Usually you will have either a belt tensioner or an adjusting bracket on the alternator, not both.

 

So I bought belt set off Amazon and it was the correct ones, I need an AC, Power steering, and Alternator belt but what I didn’t see was that it says it fits 2.4L and I have a 2.7L am I screwed here? Or could it still fit

 

Very nice write up! My 2012 is nearing 100,000 miles but no squeaks, slipping and still looks pretty darn good. Still think I'll replace @ 120,000 miles to play it safe since pretty simple change out. AND will probably use a Toyota OEM belt......

 

Changed my out at 75000 miles with a Gates purchased off of EBay for $30.

 

Guys:

OP here, sorry for not responding, I had forgotten I made this post and lots of times I don't login to browse.

I still have the NAPA belt from the original post installed and no issues or squeals and never have in 75,000 miles. I did keep the old belt as a spare in case something happened.

 

I stand corrected on my earlier post: Just replaced belt @ 98,382 not 120,000 mi. And used a Bando belt not Toyota ($30 vs $82) purchased from NAPA. Original belt still looked good but piece of mind. Very simple procedure.

 

Nice and easy. 11 years and 113K on the original belt, threw in a new Bando just now. Better to replace it when I choose to versus waiting for a tow especially with the cold weather upon us.

 

had a weird noise coming from my front passenger side this morning after a cold night, sounded almost like the plastic fan blades hitting the fan shroud and this was while I was accelerating for about 10-12 minutes until it warmed up then everything was as normal, checked the tensioner marks and was still in play but kind of favoring the left hash mark on the tensioner arm, I have 124k miles on the original belt may be time for a new one, will have to investigate further tommorrow with the hood up to make sure its the belt, kinda thought it might be the water pump but no leaks or overheating.

 

At 124K I'd say it's time regardless, just for peace of mind. In MA it's getting colder so I figured at 11 years and 113K it was time