Replacing AC belt. Use GM or Gates? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

TSSUNAMI · 03-19-2013, 07:09 AM

Hello,

I have had to replace my AC belt going on twice now. (The smaller belt on the crank pulley closest to the engine that runs the AC compressor)

Should I spend half the day at the dealership and get it done under warranty? Or just bite the bullet, and spend 40 bucks for the Gates belt, which is supposedly more durable and less prone to breaking.

http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/Gate...S-16068-1.html

^^ link to the belt manufacturer's website ^^

Anyone have any experience with this product?

Should I be concerned that I have a bad compressor bearing? Or that something is out of whack on one of my pulleys?

Nitroman28 · 03-19-2013, 08:11 AM

I couldn't find a Stretch belt local so I just used the standard Gates belt and had no problems. And my car sees 7000 rpm a lot.. If you've lost 2 belts now, I would say something is wrong.

Alvin@PCMofNC · 03-19-2013, 08:26 AM

I agree you must have a problem somewhere. does the main belt also look like its starting to get chewed up? I might would do it under warranty just so they have records of it if something truly is bad.

el ess A · 03-19-2013, 08:38 AM

I agree, let the warranty deal with it if it's a manufacturing defect. That's why you pay for it. If it's chewing belts, it'll eat anything you buy for it.

But if you're hell bent on buying one of your own, Gates is a supplier for GM and makes a lot of belts for them. So I don't think you could go wrong using a Gates belt. I'd shop around if you want to buy the belt yourself. You can get that same part number belt from Amazon.com for $33 and change shipped to your door. Why pay more for the same part?

TSSUNAMI · 03-19-2013, 10:10 AM

Thanks for the advice guys. I will have them check it out at the dealership to make sure there's no major problem.

My belts aren't splitting or chewed. The accessory belt just keeps riding up off of the crank pulley. The other belt is fine.

I'll keep Yas posted.

Jayrcr3 · 03-19-2013, 10:16 AM

That sounds like an alignment problem between the 2 pulleys.

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

gml1998 · 03-19-2013, 02:39 PM

I think there is a TSB for this situation.

firestone_ss · 03-25-2013, 12:11 AM

there is a tsb for the crank pully,perhaps worth looking into also if you do it yourself make sure you have the special tool for stretching the belt.good luck!

BOSS_HOSS · 03-25-2013, 07:46 AM

Gates makes the OEM belt for GM.

2011 SS SLP ZL427 · 03-25-2013, 10:03 AM

It doesn't matter what belt you install on the Accessory drive you need to address the alignment problem between the two pulleys so that whatever belt you install stays lined up and on the crank pulley, the OEM belt will be fine once you correct the underlieing problem thats there.

Oldag · 03-25-2013, 04:55 PM

If you have a choice, go with Gates manufactured belts. I have never had a Gates fail.

TSSUNAMI · 03-26-2013, 11:49 AM

Just got back from the service department. Everything was lined up as it should be, somehow the belt just slipped. They replaced the belt under warranty. Sound is gone for now. Let's see how it holds up.

rontammy0 · 03-30-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSSUNAMI

Hello,

I have had to replace my AC belt going on twice now. (The smaller belt on the crank pulley closest to the engine that runs the AC compressor)

Should I spend half the day at the dealership and get it done under warranty? Or just bite the bullet, and spend 40 bucks for the Gates belt, which is supposedly more durable and less prone to breaking.

http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/Gate...S-16068-1.html

^^ link to the belt manufacturer's website ^^

Anyone have any experience with this product?

Should I be concerned that I have a bad compressor bearing? Or that something is out of whack on one of my pulleys?

i had my replaced by the dealer..the belt was split..there is a few posts on here with this problem.....the thinking is that the compressor face where it bolts up is not machined square so it doesnt align right with the crank pully..the dealer may replace the compresssor for you

DCC1464 · 03-30-2013, 09:29 PM

I've thrown three ac belts now and was told those were just defective belts......... we will see how long this one last. Hope yoh don't have this issues it is just stupid that they (gm) don't really care to find the underlying issue

03-19-2013, 07:09 AM	#1
TSSUNAMI It was ninety nine cents! Drives: 2014 Jeep Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,715 View My Garage	Replacing AC belt. Use GM or Gates? Hello, I have had to replace my AC belt going on twice now. (The smaller belt on the crank pulley closest to the engine that runs the AC compressor) Should I spend half the day at the dealership and get it done under warranty? Or just bite the bullet, and spend 40 bucks for the Gates belt, which is supposedly more durable and less prone to breaking. http://www.jscspeed.com/catalog/Gate...S-16068-1.html ^^ link to the belt manufacturer's website ^^ Anyone have any experience with this product? Should I be concerned that I have a bad compressor bearing? Or that something is out of whack on one of my pulleys? __________________ My Build Thread

03-19-2013, 08:38 AM	#4
el ess A Older Than Dirt Drives: 2010 & 2013 Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 4,563	I agree, let the warranty deal with it if it's a manufacturing defect. That's why you pay for it. If it's chewing belts, it'll eat anything you buy for it. But if you're hell bent on buying one of your own, Gates is a supplier for GM and makes a lot of belts for them. So I don't think you could go wrong using a Gates belt. I'd shop around if you want to buy the belt yourself. You can get that same part number belt from Amazon.com for $33 and change shipped to your door. Why pay more for the same part? __________________ 2010 2SS TE, 1 of 822/2013 Camaro ZL1 vert, 1 of 54

03-19-2013, 10:10 AM	#5
TSSUNAMI It was ninety nine cents! Drives: 2014 Jeep Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,715 View My Garage	Thanks for the advice guys. I will have them check it out at the dealership to make sure there's no major problem. My belts aren't splitting or chewed. The accessory belt just keeps riding up off of the crank pulley. The other belt is fine. I'll keep Yas posted. __________________ My Build Thread

03-19-2013, 10:16 AM	#6
Jayrcr3 Drives: 2011 IOM 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Chatham, Illinois Posts: 756	That sounds like an alignment problem between the 2 pulleys. Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2 __________________ American Racing 1 7/8" Headers and Hi-Flow Cats, CAI cold air intake, Flowmaster AT exhaust, Vengeance Racing Stage 2 cam, VMax ported throttle body, TEA valve springs and titanium retainers, Trick Flow hardened pushrods, 180* T-stat, Comp Trunion kit, ZL1 Fuel Pump, ADM Fuel Pump Control Module, 20% window tint, Whipple Supercharger. Tuned by Mike Norris Motorsports. 656rwhp/584rwtq @10 PSI.

03-25-2013, 07:46 AM	#9
BOSS_HOSS Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Petawawa, ON Posts: 151	Gates makes the OEM belt for GM. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS 1 7/8" Long Tube American Racing Headers w/high flow cats, Borla S-Type Catback Exhaust, Roto-Fab CAI, VMAX Ported Throttle Body, MGW Shifter, JRE 445 Street Cam Package tuned via SCT, Pedders Street 1 Kit.

03-19-2013, 08:11 AM	#2
Nitroman28 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS 416/4L80 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 1,834 View My Garage	I couldn't find a Stretch belt local so I just used the standard Gates belt and had no problems. And my car sees 7000 rpm a lot.. If you've lost 2 belts now, I would say something is wrong.

03-19-2013, 08:26 AM	#3
Alvin@PCMofNC Drives: 2010 IOM RSS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mooresville Posts: 363	I agree you must have a problem somewhere. does the main belt also look like its starting to get chewed up? I might would do it under warranty just so they have records of it if something truly is bad.

03-19-2013, 02:39 PM	#7
gml1998 Drives: 2010 Synergy Green Camaro Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Minooka Illinois Posts: 693	I think there is a TSB for this situation.

03-25-2013, 12:11 AM	#8
firestone_ss Drives: 2010 camaro ss Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 779	there is a tsb for the crank pully,perhaps worth looking into also if you do it yourself make sure you have the special tool for stretching the belt.good luck!

03-25-2013, 10:03 AM	#10
2011 SS SLP ZL427 Drives: 2011 SS ZL427 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Drums PA Posts: 115	It doesn't matter what belt you install on the Accessory drive you need to address the alignment problem between the two pulleys so that whatever belt you install stays lined up and on the crank pulley, the OEM belt will be fine once you correct the underlieing problem thats there. __________________

03-25-2013, 04:55 PM	#11
Oldag Drives: 2013 2SS Convertible, LS3 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 361	If you have a choice, go with Gates manufactured belts. I have never had a Gates fail.

03-26-2013, 11:49 AM	#12
TSSUNAMI It was ninety nine cents! Drives: 2014 Jeep Wrangler Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 1,715 View My Garage	Just got back from the service department. Everything was lined up as it should be, somehow the belt just slipped. They replaced the belt under warranty. Sound is gone for now. Let's see how it holds up. __________________ My Build Thread

03-30-2013, 09:29 PM	#14
DCC1464 COTW 5/27/13 Drives: '11 S/C SS/RS CGM Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 755 View My Garage	I've thrown three ac belts now and was told those were just defective belts......... we will see how long this one last. Hope yoh don't have this issues it is just stupid that they (gm) don't really care to find the underlying issue __________________ 622RWHP/512FTLBS on 91 octane 2.9l Whipple 4" pulley. Vengance VRSP3 cam. Lots of BMR & AAC. Body work by Gary's Customz. Nic D tuned My build thread