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Belt Stretching - Are Some Brands Better Than Others
I installed a Sanden Compressor on my 617 engine and have been experiencing what I believe to be excessive belt stretch. I've had to re-tension the belt 4 times and if I adjust it any more the compressor will contact the subframe. I've never experienced a problem with a belt on any car over the last 50 years so I'm assuming I just got a bad one - not surprising perhaps with all the discussion about the quality deterioration in aftermarket parts overall.
So my question is, are there particular belt brands that are recommended for higher than average quality and longevity? And I suppose the corollary - are there belt brands to definitely stay away from? Thanks
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I've always heard good things about Goodyear Gatorback belts
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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges $110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges No merc at the moment |
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I use mostly conti or MB OEM, my 190d has a gatorback serpentine. Good results with both...
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
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Continental....period
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD????? 1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013 100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership |
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belts don't stretch... they wear into the grooves of the pulleys. if they are wearing they are either slipping, or they are not aligned properly and they are wearing on the side.
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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
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DO NOT use belt dressing it's snake oil. Helps for a bit but you will hate yourself later on when you have to clean the pulleys
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$60 OM617 Blank Exhaust Flanges $110 OM606 Blank Exhaust Flanges No merc at the moment |
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Cheaper belts do indeed stretch....
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD????? 1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013 100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership |
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Well I have to say that the belts I provide with the Sanden retrofit kits are in fact cheap belts. I was told they were made by Goodyear, but I am sure they have different grades of belts. I have had to adjust the tension only once so far on my 240, and have not needed to do it yet on the 300 (7 cyl Sanden). I do know by experience that once they start to squeal and slip, they are not the same. I imagine that the cheaper belts are softer rubber, and probably won't last as long even in the best of conditions. It would be nice to know how the other buyers of the kits I have sold are doing with the belt provided.....Rich
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All Diesel Fleet 1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL 2005 E320 CDI (daily) LOTS of parts for sale! EGR block kit http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html 1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This! Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst. Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11): http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html |
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Agreed although NAPA is pretty good as well. I think they may be rebranded Continental.
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Quote:
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Quote:
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Did you just pass my 740 at 200 kmh in a 300SD????? 1978 300SD 'Phil' - 1,315,853 Miles And Counting - 1, 317,885 as of 12/27/2012 - 1,333,000 as of 05/10/2013, 1,337,850 as of July 15, 2013, 1,339,000 as of August 13, 2013 100,000 miles since June 2005 Overhaul - Sold January 25th, 2014 After 1,344,246 Miles & 20 Years of Ownership |
#12
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Contitech belts are the best. They are supposed to slightly shrink as it is in use.
I had good results with Gatorback Serpentine belts though. .
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1983 123.133 California - GreaseCar Veg System |
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Long story short, my word on automotive belts: Gates Greenstripe. The best belt made period. Bar none. End of any debate. There may be other belts as good. Maybe. Absolutely none better. Never heard of one stretching. Ever. I am a convinced believer that automotive belts can and do stretch. Once a belt has started to slip and squeal, game over, replacement time. It's been glazed or burned and will always continue to slip. Ditto if the belt ever does a twist or flip. The "back has been broken" and it will never stay on and run true after that. If that ever happens to a belt, that is sure fire confirmation you got the cheapest p.o.s. belt that could ever be made!
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Dedicated to the preservation of antique Mercedes Benz's, one rusty ol' bucket of bolts at a time! Last edited by gear-head; 07-25-2013 at 11:26 PM. Reason: addendum |
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brands to stay away from...
Brands of automotive belts I would recommend not ever buying are: Autozone store brand and Dayco. There are probably other brands that are just as lame, I just can't recall who's they are.
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Dedicated to the preservation of antique Mercedes Benz's, one rusty ol' bucket of bolts at a time! |
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Quote:
Quote:
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1983 123.133 California - GreaseCar Veg System |
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