for how long did your drive belts last?

[fenixus]

Most of you probably realized how much stuff I replaced on my V6 in last year, pretty much major tune up including suspension and brakes overhaul (not complete, but almost) ... just to realize on the end that I missed most of minor tune up items

To be specific:
-spark plugs, around 30k miles old, dealer installed (prev owner) - never checked them
-spark plug wires, factory OEM, never touched
-drive belts

Now this last one weird, they both carry Toyota OEM logos and the dealer service records (www.toyotaownersonline.com) are showing they got changed 30k miles ago (in '08). They are Mitsuboshi, at least the alternator one is (that I can see)... I had to re-tension the alternator belt once already before Winter as it was a tad loose (80lbs while norm is 100-120), I suspect it is getting stretched.

Anybody else having such luck with OEM Mitsuboshi belts? only 30k miles / 3 years and that's it?
On 5s-fe I had OEM belts (can't remember manufacturer) for much longer with no issues ...

Planning to replace them in a week or so with Dayco belts (Advance Auto Parts sells them at $14 each).

[71Corolla]

3 years on a belt? Wow, maybe Mitsuboshi doesn't make them like they used to? The one on my '87 ran for at least 15 years, it was still good but had some cracks so I decided it should be replaced. The 'Boshi on my Lexus is original, although the car has less than 40,000 miles.

[pmesfun]

I replaced the factory belts around 128k this time last year, they may have been Mitsuboshi belts.

[fenixus]

yeah, just 3 years ... kinda disappointing, thought that Mitsuboshi would be far superior to Bando+Goodyear I have now on 5s-fe (those are rock solid and looking brand new after 2 years) ...

I have to tell you that those Mitsuboshi belts look old and "tired" (no cracks though, but some glazing is present), I mean it's been just 3 years and 30k miles since installation, but in Florida conditions the rubber must have deteriorated much quicker then in NE temperate/transition zone ... not sure ... perhaps Mitsuboshi went down the hill with quality after all ...

Wondering if both OEM drive belts getting loosened a bit have anything to do with Power Steering feeling a bit stiffer recently and AC taking more power off the car (can feel it during acceleration)? not sure either... anyways, those belts are going to get replaced with Dayco soon.

Originally Posted by 71Corolla

3 years on a belt? Wow, maybe Mitsuboshi doesn't make them like they used to? The one on my '87 ran for at least 15 years, it was still good but had some cracks so I decided it should be replaced. The 'Boshi on my Lexus is original, although the car has less than 40,000 miles.

[fenixus]

exactly, those belts used to be the best among OEM and hard to kill. I believe I had those on wife's 5s-fe for a looong time, like 9 years before they started stretching?

seems like new ones are no more a reliable option. will give Dayco a shot (not from dealer "lottery" though).

edit:
just for lols, I tried Duralast alternator/ac belt once on wife's 5s-fe and it got stretched to hell in 6 months
was good 1-2 inches longer than new Bando replacement

Originally Posted by pmesfun

I replaced the factory belts around 128k this time last year, they may have been Mitsuboshi belts.

[pmesfun]

Originally Posted by fenixus

exactly, those belts used to be the best among OEM and hard to kill. I believe I had those on wife's 5s-fe for a looong time, like 9 years before they started stretching?

seems like new ones are no more a reliable option. will give Dayco a shot (not from dealer "lottery" though).

edit:
just for lols, I tried Duralast alternator/ac belt once on wife's 5s-fe and it got stretched to hell in 6 months
was good 1-2 inches longer than new Bando replacement

I take that back, they were Dayco belts and that is what I replaced them with, pretty cheap off Rock Auto.

We had of share of troubles with Duralast belts on our old van.

[fenixus]

cool good to know

Originally Posted by pmesfun

I take that back, they were Dayco belts and that is what I replaced them with, pretty cheap off Rock Auto.

We had of share of troubles with Duralast belts on our old van.

[dorifuto.boi]

where in florida are you ? why aren't you in new jersey

[fenixus]

I am in northern part of NJ. However I brought the car in here just a year ago from Florida (Tampa Bay) where it spent pretty much all its life.

Originally Posted by dorifuto.boi

where in florida are you ? why aren't you in new jersey

[BMR]

I replaced the original belts on my Camry at oh, around 120k miles (don't remember when, I'd have to go look in my maintenance log book). I put on Goodyear "Gatorback" belts on both the serpentine and the power steering, so those have got ~200k on 'em. BTW, the original belts didn't fail, I just replace belts as preventative maintenance. It's overdue to change 'em again. I've got a set of Gates (I think?.. not sure) belts sitting on the workbench waiting to get installed.

[fenixus]

Yeah, it seems the old original belts were able to last long years and even then they didn't have much issues... the new Mitsuboshi belt must have been either improperly tightened at dealer or got stretched in as little as 3 years.

I haven't re-checked the tension, but I think I will just replace both of them with new Dayco's.

BTW, rockauto pricing looks good until you add shipping then it's just $2-3 cheaper on total (excluding tax) then from local Advance Auto Parts (using A123 coupon giving $10 off $30).
I think I will get them locally with 1hr pickup, maybe will get them replaced on Monday (Labor Day haha!).

Originally Posted by BMR

I replaced the original belts on my Camry at oh, around 120k miles (don't remember when, I'd have to go look in my maintenance log book). I put on Goodyear "Gatorback" belts on both the serpentine and the power steering, so those have got ~200k on 'em. BTW, the original belts didn't fail, I just replace belts as preventative maintenance. It's overdue to change 'em again. I've got a set of Gates (I think?.. not sure) belts sitting on the workbench waiting to get installed.

[tef]

Replaced the drive belts on my 1995 Camry with imz-fe engine at 100,000 miles the first time and at 192,000 miles the second time. Both times coincided with a timing belt change. (BTW the timing belt looked almost new when I replaced it but the drive belts looked well-worn.) My Camry drives like its brand new.

[hill8570]

Just changed the original drive belts on my 95 5S-FE a couple months back (115K miles and an awful lot of years). At least one was a Mitsuboshi.

[fenixus]

wondering if there is anybody using newer (few years old) Mitsuboshi belts ...


the numbers for old OEM belts are awesome for everybody.
my '02 V6 did 98k miles o original belts then they got replaced at time of timing belt job (no water pump or seals touched though) at dealer in Florida back in '08.

My '00 5s-fe had original belts until like 2009, I replaced them at around 70k miles actually after timing belt job, when doing a minor tune up later.

Originally Posted by tef

Replaced the drive belts on my 1995 Camry with imz-fe engine at 100,000 miles the first time and at 192,000 miles the second time. Both times coincided with a timing belt change. (BTW the timing belt looked almost new when I replaced it but the drive belts looked well-worn.) My Camry drives like its brand new.

Originally Posted by hill8570

Just changed the original drive belts on my 95 5S-FE a couple months back (115K miles and an awful lot of years). At least one was a Mitsuboshi.

[garytho]

I have a Dayco belt on mine now as a replacement and it hasn't stretched a bit so far and the condition is excellent. Not sure exactly how many miles it will last but, theres not a bit of visual wear on it after 40k miles. I keep a new Mit in the trunk for a spare cause I'm not sure they are made the same as in 96 when my car was born,...at least they don't look the same,...so I went with Dayco.