1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Serpentine belt defective or something else

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by mvparadise, Jun 1, 2020.

  1. Jun 1, 2020 at 10:51 AM
    #1
    mvparadise

    mvparadise [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2020
    Member:
    #323979
    Messages:
    66
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 Toyota Crew cab 4x4
    30 days ago I had the serpentine changed due to age and minor cracking. Today about 300 miles later the new "Gates" belt is fraying on the inside edge. The old belt had minor cracks but no fraying. Could the reason be the install or the new belt being defective. 2013 4.0
     
  2. Jun 1, 2020 at 10:54 AM
    #2
    TheDevilYouLove

    TheDevilYouLove You can’t polish a turd, but you can polish a TRD

    Joined:
    May 26, 2016
    Member:
    #187953
    Messages:
    2,877
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Marylandistan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma TRD Sport Access cab 4x4 silver streak
    Did you change any idler/other pulleys or just change the belt?

    Gates is normally pretty good, but for a serpentine belt, I’d get OEM Toyota. Bando makes it for Toyota, but after comparing them side by side, the Toyota branded one is better.

    5133A5F6-CBFC-4FE4-878D-7DA0933B5108.jpg
    3BB1234D-DD8B-4495-857E-9BE254A945BB.jpg
     
    mvparadise[OP] likes this.
  3. Jun 1, 2020 at 10:58 AM
    #3
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2017
    Member:
    #216032
    Messages:
    8,654
    First Name:
    bill
    Vehicle:
    2014 SR5
    or could be the GATES idler pulley is not positioned to where the belt rides off center and prematurely fails
     
  4. Jun 1, 2020 at 11:03 AM
    #4
    TheDevilYouLove

    TheDevilYouLove You can’t polish a turd, but you can polish a TRD

    Joined:
    May 26, 2016
    Member:
    #187953
    Messages:
    2,877
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Steve
    Marylandistan
    Vehicle:
    2010 Tacoma TRD Sport Access cab 4x4 silver streak
    I’ve had that happen. You can smell burning belt for a few days before it fails (at least in my case). After that I installed brand new Toyota idlers and Toyota branded belt. No probs after that.
     
  5. Jun 1, 2020 at 11:05 AM
    #5
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2017
    Member:
    #216032
    Messages:
    8,654
    First Name:
    bill
    Vehicle:
    2014 SR5
    from what I've read the idlers need to have perfect alignment in order for the belt to properly function, which using aftermarket branded idlers are off vs. OEM, even slightly causes failure
     
    mvparadise[OP] likes this.
  6. Jun 1, 2020 at 11:06 AM
    #6
    mvparadise

    mvparadise [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2020
    Member:
    #323979
    Messages:
    66
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 Toyota Crew cab 4x4
    Just had the belt changed. I am about 35 miles to dealer. Repair shop said bring it by. Is it safe to drive or should I have it toed. I ordered new gates belt to pick up later today at Oreillys.
     
  7. Jun 1, 2020 at 11:07 AM
    #7
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2017
    Member:
    #216032
    Messages:
    8,654
    First Name:
    bill
    Vehicle:
    2014 SR5
    too bad Toyota just had a big Memorial day with free shipping ended 5/31 tho, I'd highly recommend using OEM parts whenever possible
     
  8. Jun 3, 2020 at 7:11 AM
    #8
    mvparadise

    mvparadise [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2020
    Member:
    #323979
    Messages:
    66
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2013 Toyota Crew cab 4x4
    Just ordered the Toyota brand belt from Amazon. Should get it a few days. I put the old belt back on and yes seems better than the one that was installed for some reason.
     
    TheDevilYouLove likes this.

Products Discussed in

To Top