Back again...Best serpentine belt?

[Carol K]

Hi, Ford Fans!
My 2000 Exp is running well now, no longer stalling but looks like belt needs to be replaced. Soon.
Can you guys please tell me in your experience what is the best serpentine belt? I see Goodyear, Dayco, Duralast, Valuecraft...
(Found a Goodyear Gatorback Poly V online for less than $20 with shipping...)
Thanks--Appreciate your input!!

 

[SoNic67]

Goodyear is a good brand for belts. Gates is good too. Dayco is supposedly just OK - but I had no issues with the one in my Sable - lasted 80k miles and then... the transmission died

The main thing is that the belt tension is correct and no slippage happens - IMO the tensioner, rollers need to be replaced after 100-150k miles.

 

[Sogsnakebite]

I swear by the Gatorback

 

[Bretton65]

I have had good luck with the oem belt. I second replacing the tensioner at the same time.

 

[toypaseo]

My ex-Ford mechanic neighbor recommended Goodyear Gatorback belts and OEM tensioners.

When I replaced my belt and tensioner, I dug around online. The tensioner I got off eBay from a Ford dealer. Motorcraft brand. The Goodyear Gatorback belt I got from Rockauto. I was digging on eBay for a low price, but kept thinking about how old the actual belt might be. Didn't really think that buying a belt that was 10 years, for example, old sounded like a good idea. I don't know if the age of the belt matters, but I figured old tires are not ideal, so old rubber belts might not be ideal. I figured Rockauto pry does have some sales movement of that particular belt, so I would not be getting one that is New Old Stock.

 

[koda2000]

Goodyear Gatorback

 

[Carol K]

Thank you, everyone!!

 

[lobo411]

Old thread I know, but...don't get Dayco. I've never had a belt chirp before, so when my Explorer started chirping last month, I figured it couldn't be the belt. The chirp, btw, only occurs under acceleration in drive and usually above 1500 RPM.

I was running a Dayco belt that was about 3-4 years old, no glazing, looked brand new. So I replaced the tensioner and the idle pulley, to no effect. Finally, I did what I should have done in the first place: I replaced the new-ish Dayco belt with the 10 year old, worn out Goodyear or Gates (can't remember which) belt I had in the trunk just in case. Problem solved.

I've also had problems with the Dayco hoses I installed. I have to keep tightening the hose clamps because they seem to leak otherwise. Too bad, because I specifically bought Dayco products due to the Made in USA thing.

Dayco, you are dead to me!