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I am about to change the cracked assessory (serpentine) belt on my daughter's '95 2.0L, manual transaxle, 108,000 miles.
Will be using a Gates belt ($28 vs. $46 Ford belt)
What other parts should I consider changing or checking during this job?
'95 GL, 108K, stock
(newly acquired & totally unfamiliar)
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 731
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Check your belt tensioner; I know I had to replace mine when I did the belt. Also, you might want to replace the idler pulley as preventitive maintenance. My belt would squeal like a banshee until I replaced the idler pulley, because the bearings were shot and the belt would slip horribly. They're only $20 anyways! I believe the tensioner assembly shouldn't be more than $30-40 and it's easy to replace, just 3 bolts and easy to get at.
(Edit: When you do the idler tensioner pulley, you'll need an odd-end ratchet. I believe the bolt is a 10mm or 12mm, but I could be wrong.)
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Do you mean cracks on outer side of belt or little evenly spaced cracks on the inside v sections? The latter are normal and only become serious if chunks have fallen off.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 110,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 125,000km
stock CD on LS, cass on LX
spoiler, tinted windows on LS only
4 wheel discs on LX only
All other available options on both
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10
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Originally posted by Rynn:
Check your belt tensioner; I know I had to replace mine when I did the belt. Also, you might want to replace the idler pulley as preventitive maintenance. My belt would squeal like a banshee until I replaced the idler pulley, because the bearings were shot and the belt would slip horribly. They're only $20 anyways! I believe the tensioner assembly shouldn't be more than $30-40 and it's easy to replace, just 3 bolts and easy to get at.
(Edit: When you do the idler tensioner pulley, you'll need an odd-end ratchet. I believe the bolt is a 10mm or 12mm, but I could be wrong.) O.K., thanks. Is aftermarket OK, of should I buy Ford parts in this case?
'95 GL, 108K, stock
(newly acquired & totally unfamiliar)
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10
Junior Member
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10 |
Originally posted by horseydug:
Do you mean cracks on outer side of belt or little evenly spaced cracks on the inside v sections? The latter are normal and only become serious if chunks have fallen off. Yes, I just received my Haynes repair manual and see the part about the "normality" of cracks in the serpentine belt. Maybe I panicked. Will need to re-inspect the belt to see what's up. Thanks.
'95 GL, 108K, stock
(newly acquired & totally unfamiliar)
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 113
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Sorry, cracks are not "normal" if they were they would come cracked out of the package...your belt probably is original..plan on buying the tensioner with the belt as it will probably explode like mine did....do the regular maintenence like your doing and you'll be happy with the car..
96 zetec gl.dynomax exhaust(self bent) KKM intake..Bridgestone Potenza RE-910's...other mods also
87' Ford Thunderbird..Now my daily driver ( the wife uses the contour mostly) true dual exhaust with the super mystery mod.(hey there not even there!) tinted windows and stereo upgrade. the $200 car is starting to be a great car
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Joined: Jun 2001
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O.K., thanks. Is aftermarket OK, of should I buy Ford parts in this case?
The tensioner is a dealer part. If you have trouble getting it for a good price, let me know. They shouldn't charge you more than $30-40. The idler tensioner pulley, I was able to get at a local parts store. I tried Advance Auto and Autozone, and none of them had it. Advance said I had to call a number and order it, and have them ship it; shipping was $10.00!
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Originally posted by Gregg C.:
Sorry, cracks are not "normal" if they were they would come cracked out of the package
...your belt probably is original
..plan on buying the tensioner with the belt as it will probably explode like mine did
....do the regular maintenence like your doing and you'll be happy with the car.. Seems like common sense , but it's not. Check how quickly these inner cracks develop on a new belt, you'll be surprised. No way to check unless you get all maintenance records for a used car. Only if current belt is non-Ford do you know it's not original. One owner's unfortunate experience does not make the tensioner a must replace item. If only this was true; but former does not guarantee the latter (due to mechanical breakdowns).
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 110,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 125,000km
stock CD on LS, cass on LX
spoiler, tinted windows on LS only
4 wheel discs on LX only
All other available options on both
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