New Serpentine Belt - so quiet
 

I put a gatorback serpentine in last night. It sure solved a squeak problem I was having. I could hear this squeak that started a month ago as a click-click-click and just got worse. I had no idea what was going on. Some guys on this forum said the Gatorback was preferred over others (more expensive though - +$8.00 premium). Well, it worked. Also no "chirp" at shutdown. Amazing. I'll keep the old one as spare.

I wonder how long the gatorback will go before it starts to make noise, like the old one?

The will chirp again once it gets a glaze on it.
I found that replacing the tensioner also shuts up the shutdown chirp. I grew to like the chirp, as a testimonial that the compression in the engine was still good. [whistle] But when the belt started squeaking while running, and a new belt would quickly do the same thing, I replaced the tensioner. When I did, the squeaking stopped, as did the shutdown chirp.

Chris

I replaced my original belt with a gatorback, no chirp, 5k ago still no chirp, threw an extra one in the toolbox as a spare.[duhhh]

Who sells the gatorback belt?

autozone sells them.....

do you have an autozone where you live.

autozone.com

Yes,thanks

I put some belt dressing on mine and it's in good shape.

Makes a HECK of a mess though (permatex aerosol).

Belt Dressing
 

I've always been told that once you start using belt dressing on a belt you need to do it regularly or the belt will go hard and brittle because of the chemicals in the dressing. Never found anything to confirm it so I don't really know. Kinda like Armor All dries out cab plastics I guess??

Belt dressing just masks a problem IE poor materials used in belt manufacture,belt not tensioned properly, misaligned pulley, worn belt, ect. Diagnose, then repair or replace. I've used the Gatorback belt in the past and found it to be very good. You find belt dressing at used car lots.

i've had mine for 30,000 miles no squeal yet

I SO agree with that. I tried that on my 99 bnefore I replaced the tensioner, not being able to remember why I hate that product. As soon as I put it on I remembered. It makes a heck of a mess and works for about 30 seconds, at least in my experience.

Chris

I did my belt dressing around 35K. 60Kmiles now and no problems.

YMMV

JH