Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

[KRS]

My '00 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 has 100,000 miles on it. I think this is the original serpentine belt. I was checking it today and it appears to have a very uniform crack across it. Is this a seam or a sign that it's time to replace it?

If replacement is necessary, is OEM the best or should I just go to NAPA?

Thanks,

KRS

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Yes, all of those little cracks in the ridges mean it's past time to replace it.

Any new belt is better,...... than no new belt at all.

NAPA is fine, they're nearly all made by gates anyway...

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Looks like the original to me.
Be careful not to over tighten the new one, It'll put additional stress on those other components with 100k on them.

I get tremendous service life out of my waterpumps, idlers and alternator bearings by running a belt a little on the slack side.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Definitely new belt time. It runs on an automatic tensioner that tends to get sticky somtimes, so check it as well and replace if necessary.
--
Stan

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Definitely new belt time. It runs on an automatic tensioner that tends to get sticky somtimes, so check it as well and replace if necessary.
--
Stan

They must have changed that in '00, my Wrangler has a '99 GC engine in it and it's still a manuel adjustment.

 

[KRS]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Thanks all, sounds like it's time for a new belt. I'll check the Haynes manual and see how it's done, it should be something I can do.

KRS

 

[rwise]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Its done with bad words and scraped knuckles

 

[Coors]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Get a ratchet and put a piece of pipe over the handle for more leverage, to move the tensioner. (you need one arm to pull off the belt, while putting pressure on the tensioner).

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Should be a 1/2" square drive ratchet and it'll fit right into a square hole at the pulley end of the tensioner(silver thing just to the left of the fan pulley in your picture).
--
Stan

 

[KRS]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

I was driving by a local shop, and they had a sign $49.99 serpentine replacement.

I stood there while the guy and a helper put a new one on in less than 3 minutes!

It's done, and it wasn't too expensive... but I'll do it myself next time.

Thanks for the tips and tricks guys.

KRS

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Its done with bad words and scraped knuckles

LOL...I changed mine today, lost about a quart of blood and scared all the neighbors. My 'regular' cherokee was never designed for that long inline 6...

 

[BF]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

did you guys held onto the old belt? I always fold it up and either stick it with the spare tire, or behind one of the plastic panels in the cargo area. A broken serpentine belt is one of the things that can leave you walking... I feel better driving on secluded highways knowing I've got a spare.

 

[qaztwo]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Keep old one for spare in jeep.

 

[rndn]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Replace with any new belt. They all are manufactured to the same standards.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

Replace with any new belt. They all are manufactured to the same standards.

That's like saying all tires are the same. Not true. You can definitely buy quality vs cheap belts.

 

[KRS]

Re: Engine serpentine belt, photo, need advice

We'll watch the wear on this one and replace it as needed.