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When to replace the serpentine belt?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Markcal, Oct 28, 2016.

  1. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:35 PM
    #1
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

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    My Tacoma is 10 years old, with 37,000 miles and has the original serpentine belt. The serpentine belt looks OK after inspecting it. I don't have many miles, so how long should I keep using this belt, even if I don't see any cracks/glazing or fraying?
     
  2. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:47 PM
    #2
    Blockhead

    Blockhead Well-Known Member

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    I wouldn't do anything with it unless it starts to crack etc...37,000 miles? It ain't even broke in yet!
     
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  3. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:48 PM
    #3
    ABA180

    ABA180 It burns when I pee....

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    Blockhead is right. I'd say give it a visual twice a year now, especially with our cold weather months coming up..ugh.
     
  4. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:50 PM
    #4
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Would removing the belt be a better method to inspect, as I have been leaving it on and try to just manipulate it to inspect?
     
  5. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:50 PM
    #5
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    As long as it's supple and not weather checked/cracking around the edges, leave it alone.

    If something dies that requires it's removal, you might put a new one on then.
     
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  6. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:51 PM
    #6
    ABA180

    ABA180 It burns when I pee....

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    The more thorough way yes, but if you're going to do that it may not be a bad idea to just replace it.
     
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  7. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:53 PM
    #7
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

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    When I replaced my water pump a few years ago, it looked great and didn't realize removing was so easy.
     
  8. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:54 PM
    #8
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have been thinking about that, but then again I'm very frugal.
     
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  9. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:57 PM
    #9
    Crom

    Crom Super-Deluxe Member

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  10. Oct 28, 2016 at 12:59 PM
    #10
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I wonder how common that belts manufactured today with higher quality, that a belt breaks through use or would you notice the belt slipping first/squealing?
     
  11. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:03 PM
    #11
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

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  12. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:06 PM
    #12
    AZBACKCOUNTRY

    AZBACKCOUNTRY Well-Known Member

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    I have a 2011 @ 40k .
    I'm replacing mine. Az and the heat is enough for an afternoons work and another 50,000 miles.
    Az
     
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  13. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:06 PM
    #13
    Crom

    Crom Super-Deluxe Member

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    Yes it does.

    Since the late 1990s, automotive manufacturers have phased out Chloroprene (neoprene) serpentine belts and are now installing ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM for short) belts on current vehicle models.

    While it's hard to tell Chloroprene and EPDM belts apart visually, EPDM belts far outlast and outperform their predecessors. Chloroprene belts have a life expectancy of 50-60K miles and as they wear out, cracks, chunk-outs, and other visual signs of wear will occur. EPDM belts rarely show these symptoms, even at 90K+ miles. Instead, as EPDM belts age they gradually lose rubber material similar to the way a vehicle’s tires wear out. Over a period of 100,000 miles, a belt can lose up to 10% of its rib material. While this may not seem like a lot, the consequences can be significant. Just 5% wear can begin to negatively impact vehicle performance.

    http://www.gates.com/products/autom...ds/belt-wear-diagnosis/neoprene-vs-epdm-belts
     
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  14. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:09 PM
    #14
    Crom

    Crom Super-Deluxe Member

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    I swapped out my belt in 30 minutes in my drive way at 50K miles because my truck sees an abnormal amount of dust from off-road.

    I used a Bando 7PK2120 belt, 18K miles and zero issues. WOrks great.

    Kept the OE one for an emergency spare.
     
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  15. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:10 PM
    #15
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Your reply was really informative and helped a lot, I learned something I have always taken for granted and hope others here was helped too.
     
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  16. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:11 PM
    #16
    Blockhead

    Blockhead Well-Known Member

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    Interesting....I have 112,000 miles on my 2015, original belt. Maybe I should think about replacing it before I get stuck this winter....hmm. I'll be lazy and ask you all instead of searching; what is the difficulty of this job? I may do it myself.
     
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  17. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:11 PM
    #17
    ABA180

    ABA180 It burns when I pee....

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    As am I when it comes to this type of stuff.

    I'd say just take a quick peek at the ribs on it every day for a few days. Not 100% but you'd get a better shot of hitting random areas each time.
     
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  18. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:13 PM
    #18
    Markcal

    Markcal [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good advice about random checks if you decide not to remove the belt when inspecting.
     
  19. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:16 PM
    #19
    robssol

    robssol If it ain't broke, leave it the eff alone!

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    I changed mine at 90K. It still looked good, ribs were just starting to show signs of wear.
     
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  20. Oct 28, 2016 at 1:17 PM
    #20
    Crom

    Crom Super-Deluxe Member

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    You have 112,000 miles on your 2015? That's remarkable. I would change the belt.

    It's 30 minutes and cost less than $20.

    I never done it before the Tacoma, so I followed someone elses thread and it was easy.

    how do you change belt?


    bando_055ee4bcb591078cea4417bce7bf4e49b4cff9de.jpg

    Routing diagram for 2nd Gen Tacoma

    2005_Tayota_Tacoma_4.0_Serpentine_Belt_0_3e2669bc055b020503b40262e0f94e46fcaf28b2.gif

    Used a ratchet on the belt tensioner to align the hole to place a screwdriver in. Then take the belt off and replace.

    Install is very straight forward after reading Derk's instructions.

    IMG_20140830_090157_4f83cb8dfd2f171a27764bcab1be9430d825f9fc.jpg
    A closer view of the screwdriver locking up the tensioner.
    IMG_20140830_090209_a2d60714f0825a8bfcfb4f049a4d03ec88db1956.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2016
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