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Serpentine Belt Question - Car at the Shop Now
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Eschmidt47
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Dec 7, 2010, 12:42 PM
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Serpentine Belt Question - Car at the Shop Now
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1999 Ford Taurus
3.0L V6 (VIN U)
89034 mi
Hello,
About a month ago my serpentine belt broke due to my A/C compressor being locked up. Intending to route a new belt without A/C, I tried to replace it myself, but it took two trips to autozone for the guys there to realize that they dont make a belt for my model that runs without A/C. I finally bit the bullet and had my car taken into a shop, but I was hoping that they could find a custom length belt for me. It seems like they should be able to measure and find a belt that fits within my tensioner's range. Is this an unreasonable expectation? I understand that I need a belt tight enough to turn my components and yet not damage them, but it seems so strange to me that there are not enough belts out there or that the tensioner's range is so narrow that they cant find one that works. Last time I spoke with the mechanic the costs for replacing the A/C compressor, even just so it turned freely without pumping A/C were around $300. I'd like to avoid that if at all possible.
Thanks in advance for any help,
Eric
(This post was edited by Eschmidt47 on Dec 7, 2010, 12:43 PM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Dec 7, 2010, 1:19 PM
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Re: Serpentine Belt Question - Car at the Shop Now
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That's not as automatic as you may assume. Many cars are not sold without A/C and the routing doesn't allow rerouting as there are things in the way. They do sell idlers pulleys that can be mounted in place of the compressor is SOME vehicles.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Eschmidt47
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Dec 7, 2010, 5:16 PM
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Re: Serpentine Belt Question - Car at the Shop Now
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First, thank you very much for the reply.
As far as rerouting a belt without A/C goes, there is nothing that clearly obstructs it, and there seems to be a fair bit of clearance between the belt and the broken compressor. I actually put on one belt myself that moved the car, but was clearly still going to be too loose (80.5in). It was after this that I had it taken in, figuring that they could measure it more effectively than me and order a new belt. I'm pretty sure i need between a 78in and 80in belt, maybe thats a huge range, but is there really such a lack of belts made in this size? How much variance can a tensioner pulley handle? Does it typically have to be precise down to the 1/8thin, 1/4in, 1/2in etc.? Should I press for them to measure it and find me a belt? Can't they run a tape measure through it while approximating the place of the tensioner? How do guys who do custom builds find a belt for their engines?
Sorry for the barrage of questions.
Thanks again for any help,
Eric
P.S. I am a student...so not spending all my rent money on my car would be a huge bonus for me.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 7, 2010, 5:34 PM
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You shouldn't have to do that. the belt length is usually incorporated right into the part number.
For example a Good year number.........
4060755 is a 6 rib belt that is 75 1/2 inches long so if you wanted to go 1/2" longer it would be 4060760. There are many increments in between too.
Dayco is using the same system but starting with a 5 instead of 4.
The gates equivalent is K060755........... see the pattern?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Eschmidt47
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Dec 7, 2010, 6:01 PM
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"There are many increments in between too."
I guess I was mostly asking if the belts came in increments. Since there are so many increments, how could there be no belt that fits my car's routing without A/C? The ArmorMark 805k6 (80.5 in, 6 rib) I bought from Autozone was slightly too big, and since 780k6, 795k6 790k6 and 785k6 belts exist, shouldn't the mechanics be able to put one of those on my car for me so long as there is no physical obstruction? (obviously the brand doesn't matter)
Im sorry if im not making sense or am misunderstanding something. I really do appreciate you taking some time to answer my questions.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 7, 2010, 6:07 PM
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Not every one of those sizes are necessarily made because there may not be a car that calls for them but there should be a bunch of choices in the range, at least enough to figure out what size you need. It's just a big hassle to keep trying different belts and they likely don't want to be bothered. It's just a lot extra work with no benefit to them unless you already know the exact size you need. You only have less than 1/2" margin for error.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Dec 7, 2010, 6:08 PM)
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Eschmidt47
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Dec 7, 2010, 6:20 PM
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Hmm, OK. That makes sense. Ill just tell them to try a few belts if they figure the labor of trying on 2-3 will be less than the cost of a new compressor.
Thanks again for all your help. I'm not in South Florida, nor am I a big Facebook person, but I do have and account and will "Like" Oceanside Automotive as a very small way of saying thanks.
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Hammer Time
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Dec 7, 2010, 6:21 PM
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I appreciate that.
Good luck.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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