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#1
11-16-2006, 01:08 AM
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124 Serpentine belt - too tight?
I just replaced the serpentine belt on my 603 engine with an off the shelf McParts sourced Goodyear belt. The replacement was the right size according to the book and is an exact copy of the belt that was on there already but it sure seems tight. I know these can stretch a bit but what has me concerned is that I'm doing this project as part of replacing my alternator due to a bad bearing. It makes me wonder if the OEM belt is just a tad longer and the Goodyear belts are too tight and are stressing the bearings. By the way, the old belt was only on there for a couple of years but I nicked it taking off the old alternator so thought it best to replace it.
__________________
LRG 1987 300D Turbo 175K 2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul 1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold 
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#2
11-16-2006, 01:10 AM
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The automatic tensioner will keep it where it needs to be. It can be +/- 1/2" length and probably be fine.
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#3
11-16-2006, 01:18 AM
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That's what I thought too but the spring is stretched about to the limit so I don't think there's much play left, if any.
__________________
LRG 1987 300D Turbo 175K 2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul 1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold
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#4
11-16-2006, 02:01 AM
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Shouldn't be that tight. An overly tight belt WILL put an early death to alternator bearings, I learned that the hard way on a Jaguar.
Is the Goodyear a 2145 mm long belt? I always use Conti and never had a problem on the 124. The 123's have a myriad of lengths and its easy to get the wrong ones if your aren't careful.
__________________
'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
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#5
11-16-2006, 02:12 AM
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Yup. The box says it's a 2145. Maybe it'll stretch some and I'm just being paranoid.
__________________
LRG 1987 300D Turbo 175K 2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul 1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold
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#6
11-16-2006, 08:02 AM
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uh if that belt stretches 1/16 of an inch, its bad. If the tensioner is near the end of its travel, you may want to verify that everythng is positioned properly. The tensioner on a 603 is one of the simpliest and by my thnking best designs ever. Oh, and the shocks do go bad. Just replaced shocks on both 603s and the tensioner arm on the SDL. The pivot bearing was going bad and allowed pulley to tilt aboout 20 degrees-yikes.
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#7
11-16-2006, 08:40 AM
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It's technically possible to install the belt with an improper routing pattern, which makes it extremely tight, and will put the tensioner at the outer limits of travel. Ashamedly, I did this once. Once I discovered the error, I also found out it needed to be cut off prior to removal due to the extreme tightness...d'oh!
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#8
11-16-2006, 10:09 AM
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I have had a Goodyear belt on my 603 for three years without any issues. Make sure its routed properly and the tensioner is in good shape, they work fine.
__________________
1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200
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#9
11-24-2006, 08:36 PM
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Thanks for your help guys, I guess I was just being paranoid. My belt "settled in" after a few days so the tension seems about right now with the spring on the tensioner less tight than it was when I first put it on. I also double checked with the dealer and although there is a break in the engine numbers listed for the part, all the later 603 engines use the 2145mm belt. All is well. Thanks again.
LRG
__________________
LRG 1987 300D Turbo 175K 2006 Toyota Prius, efficent but no soul 1985 300 TDT(130K miles of trouble free motoring)now sold
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