Serpentine Belt

[JNUVX]

Ack. So according to my mech, the water pump wheel would not go back into place and he didn't want to force it for fear of breaking anything. The wheel will have to be replaced...nooo! Anyone have ideas on where I could get a new water pump wheel??? Or if there's a fix someone knows of??

[Ldub]

If your VX is anywhere near 65-80 k on the odo, your timing belt is due to be replaced soon anyway, replace the water pump when that's done.
All the same stuff has to be removed either way...

[JNUVX]

I am in agreement w/you Ldub. After I looked at it this morning the mech said the cast aluminum water pulley bracket is what needs to be replaced (about $320 + shipping from Seattle, WA to Juneau, AK agh!). He was unable to realign the pulley and didn't want to force it for fear of breaking it entirely. It almost looks as if someone had done the timing belt and tried to remove the pulley attachment off the bracket....my mech also noted that this wasn't a recent change in pulley alignment which means i've been driving around w/a 3ridged serpentine belt instead of 5 ridges. Weird..and quite ignorant of me. Anyways, i'm hesitant to drive the vx anywhere until I get the bracket installed...I guess i'm learning the hard way. Anyone know of where to find a bracket for less? And again thanks ldub.

[etlsport]

Just a word of caution..some of the new kevlar and other non rubber belts don't crack but they do still wear.

One of our suppliers gave us a few tools that looks like a toothpick that kinda measures how deep the grooves are in the belts. When they are too deep its time to replace.

[deermagnet]

...measures how deep the grooves are in the belts. When they are too deep its time to replace.

Good point! It probably should get replaced every 50K miles, even without cracking. I do like the idea of non-cracking belts.

Mark

[voyeur]

So your belt is 90" (5060900)... that is 2286mm ...All i can find in UK is 2280 OR 2290... so which way to go 4mm bigger or 6mm smaller.... any suggestions??

[deermagnet]

Our belt is 2288 mm.

Yeah, I just did my own search for UK Dayco Poly Rib belts and they only have 6PK2280 or 6PK2290. No 6PK2288, so, I guess you go with the 2290.

Mark