I have a 96 CTD with 80,000 miles and my serpentine belts looks great. Should I replace it anyway, just to be safe, or do they last for a lot longer time? Thanks.

 

I personally would change it on a truck that old. Heat and time are harder on the belt than mileage.

 

sold my 96 with 196,000 and original serpentine belt.

 

I changed mine at 154K

PAIN IN THE ****!! well if you use a jack, and some square tubing, and remove the coolant resivoir, i can change a belt in under 2 mins... But heat will kill them, i inspect mine every oil change..

Tx

 

I SWEAR TO GOD that I knew somebody's who lasted just shy of 300,000 miles.

Whether or not it was in very good shape at that time... I doubt it...

 

you would be amazed at the life they have , just check a lot of the class eight trucks and you will still have original belts belts with over half million miles and still going.

 

Both my trucks have 200k plus on the stock belts.
Why fix it if it isn't broke?
I do carry an extra though.

 

Mine just broke racing a stang, didnt realize it was gone till I got the pick slip from the owner, and looked down and it was hanging from the stab bar, so turned motor off and installed new one as you can see I do have some miles on mine have had a new one waiting to put on since 250k, now at little over 750k it required one. Guess I shouldnt of race that stang,NOT.

Have one as a spare and keep the pedal down. By the way the motor does keep running and being I dont run a thermostate I quess she didnt bother her during the race.

 

Carry a spare belt but carry the one for non air conditioned engine. If the A/C freezes up and snaps the belt you can still get it home.

 

Get a Gatorback - mine is 100K miles and still no shut-down squeak. I carry the 90K mile original as a spare.

 

Why does the truck squeak when you shut it down?

 

It's because the engine stops suddenly due to it's high compression, and the accessories such as alternator, water pump, fan, etc try to keep turning and produce the belt chirp. This is normal and will not cause any trouble.

 

Ok thank you

 

Well, that's a good reason for why not to get a Gatorback. Thank's for the advice.

 

A buddy at work had an oil change shop tell him his was badly worn and cracked. He bought a new one and kept it in the truck for 3 years. Finnally changed it, just because.
The belt can withstand a lot. My tensioner pulley siezed up on my 99, made a horrible sqealing noise. I kept driving to closest shop. The belt had worn a flat spot on the tensioner pulley, almost halfway through. The belt was a little shiny, but still very much intact.
I just replaced my belt a couple months ago with a "gatorback." It's queter now. The old belt had a lot of cracks.