Belt and possible pulley replacement

[Napalm]

Wasn't sure where to put this.

so at 122970 miles, I'm getting ready to replace both belts on the car and thinking about getting idle pulleys too. one it making minor noise on when starting.

First question - is there a belt that's better than the others and why? I'm leaning towards DAYCO since they will be cheaper in my hand (autozone coupon) and they are supposedly made in america. they say the same things others do with the EDPM rubbers, and the Kevlar fibre weave etc etc.

Gates is a few dollars more in hand - and my obvious second choice.


Second question - pulleys. what flavor and has anyone replaced them or just replaced the whole tensioner assembly?


Anybody have any other belt or pulley issues that aren't related to the AC belt slipping off issue?

OK so that's 3 questions. Thank you.

[Crazy Paul]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/LS304Labelled_zpse86sozj3.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/LS304Labelled_zpse86sozj3.jpg.html)

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/Ps1010599.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/Ps1010599.jpg.html)

[bowtiefan]

Nice post Paul! Do you have to remove one of the belts to do the other (i.e. can you just do and remove serpentine without removing A/C belt and vice versa? I guess you probably want to replace both at the same time, but was just wondering.

[Crazy Paul]

You can remove and replace the main serpentine belt while leaving the A/C belt in place.
It's near on impossible to fit a new A/C belt without taking off the main belt.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/routing700.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/routing700.jpg.html)

Here's a stock L76 without the revised A/C bracket fitted.
See how the A/C belt runs parallel to, and between the main belt and the front of the engine.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/L76/L76-belt-routing_zpsnwtq00jx.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/L76/L76-belt-routing_zpsnwtq00jx.jpg.html)

[bowtiefan]

Thank you!

[Napalm]

Thanks Paul.

Is there any particular brand that's worse that the other? who makes the delco version.

also Do you have to replace the idler assembly? or does the pulley drop off easily?

My AC belt hasn't slipped off or done any of those other problems I've heard about. being an 09 model I assume I have the revised setup.

[Crazy Paul]

being an 09 model I assume I have the revised setup.
Nope. None of the G8's got the revised bracket fitted on the production line.
Cars built after 19th November 2009 had the better bracket from factory.

[Napalm]

huh - so you're saying it's just dumb luck I don't have AC belt issues?

wonder if the previous owner had it fitted? anyway to tell easily without taking the thing off to know.

[G8V8]

huh - so you're saying it's just dumb luck I don't have AC belt issues?

wonder if the previous owner had it fitted? anyway to tell easily without taking the thing off to know.

Look in Paul's first photo. See the tensioner and idler pointed to in the lower left? This is rhe revised bracket system. The original bracket system only has one of those two, the tensioner, not the idler.

[Crazy Paul]

anyway to tell easily without taking the thing off to know.
With the engine off & the key out of the ignition, get your head in there and have a look.

With Stock G8 V8 A/C Bracket fitted.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/L76-3700_zpsa4qliafy.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/L76-3700_zpsa4qliafy.jpg.html)

With the Upgraded A/C Bracket from Holden fitted. V8 VE Series cars built after November 2009 looked like this from Factory.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/routing7000_zpsy5geubuv.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/routing7000_zpsy5geubuv.jpg.html)

[bowtiefan]

Nice comparison pictures! Will a/c belt be the same with both applications?

[Crazy Paul]

Will a/c belt be the same with both applications?
No.
When you introduce an idler that wasn't there before (by installing the revised A/C bracket), the A/C belt path gets longer.
With a stock diameter crank pulley the stock A/C belt is 4PK1101.
With a stock diameter crank pulley & revised A/C bracket, the required A/C belt is 4PK1108.

[Napalm]

Thanks again paul.

So any thoughts on brand of belt? I suppose it doesn't really matter.

[Crazy Paul]

Any reputable name belt will be fine.
The size won't be all that common, so just get whatever you can.
4PK1108= 92244381 from GM.

[Napalm]

it's seems to be very common here. since the 6.0 and the LS2/3 are in many things over here. Any store has the items - and they usually have their brand and a major.

Thanks for that size cross reference I was starting to wonder about optional sizes for anything that might have the updated pulley setup.

Anyway - dayco's bought. hope to put them on soon. (made in america and cheaper than the gates).

Still think I might need an ideler pulley. Will I need to pull the bracket off to get that off or can I just bump the bolt out?

[Crazy Paul]

Still think I might need an ideler pulley. Will I need to pull the bracket off to get that off or can I just bump the bolt out?
With the belt off, just take out the central bolt of the idler and it comes off.
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y20/PerthPurplePenguin/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/Copy-of-P7060339_zpsda5f1604.jpg (http://s2.photobucket.com/user/PerthPurplePenguin/media/car%20parts/AC%20belt%20fix/Copy-of-P7060339_zpsda5f1604.jpg.html)

[Napalm]

thanks again. awesome pics.

[Chewy]

You know Paul, all you have to do is put a smaller AC belt on and is solves ALL the problems with it falling off. I don't know why the GM engineers went through all the trouble of putting an idler in there.

:facepalm:


I sure do love my updated tensioner assembly! :)

[pir4te]

Yep I just changed my accessories for VVT (truck) snout, couldn't believe that L99 and LS3 use an AC belt that solves problem without idler.