Has anyone tried a serpentine belt other than Mitsu brand on their Mirages?
Mine started vibrating and making weird noises and I'd like to change it out for a high quality version.
Any recommendations?
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Has anyone tried a serpentine belt other than Mitsu brand on their Mirages?
Mine started vibrating and making weird noises and I'd like to change it out for a high quality version.
Any recommendations?
I've been using this one with no problems. Attachment 10178 Damn picture spun sideways on me.
Dayco def make great belts. I've been a fan of Gatorbacks for a long time.
We should have a service parts "sticky" for quick reference on this kind of stuff. You know, belts, hoses, tires, spark plugs, filters, etc.
If there is a gates belt that would be an excellent choice too.
I'm hoping for local availability of Gates brand.
Gotta make some calls.
FYI.. Gates has two belts avavailable:
K060483 micro-v
K060483HD fleetrunner micro-v
Thanks for the input everyone.. Hopefully I can find a brand mentioned here.
http://www.autozone.com/cooling-heat...150283_0_23769
this is what I got. Really happy with it - quiet.
What has lead to you folks replacing your serpentine belt? Is it mileage or wear? I'm only at 35k and haven't given any thought to belt replacement.
Mine has been vibrating between the alternator and crank pulleys at certain engine speed/load conditions which sounds like a rattle. (at least that's what dealership service tells me) It ranges in pitch from low note to something akin to marbles in a can depending on conditions.
Dealer service "adjusted" it about a week ago to get rid of a high note rattle but now the highway rattle is back with a vengeance. I checked under hood yesterday and they've got the belt so tight you could play music on it.
No deflection, none.
If I leave it this way the alternator bearings will fail prematurely so I'm looking for a high quality replacement that will do it's job without the vibrations and at the proper tension.
Doesn't sound like a bad belt. Sounds like a tensioner issue
The tensioner isnt spring loaded its old school bolt and nut
I would consider the consequence of replacing the belt yourself carefully. If the real issue is the alternator is failing, or water pump (whatever) and you replace the belt and the real issue fails, then they can deny your warrantee claim because "you were at fault screwing with the belt"
Nobody else really has this issue Have you considered a factory replacement? They won't know, then
There are plenty of reputed belt manufacturers, and they all make good belts!
The Mirage belt is properly designed, has ample reserves, and has a simple and excellent tensioner.
If you really do want to do it yourself, you may want to look at the following thread:
Belt Tension, Howto
It tells you how to get the tension exactly to factory specification, and shows you how to check the exact tension. You want that tension to be exactly right!
According to your description, there is probably something else wrong that even the most inexperienced mechanic could identify in minutes! For crying out loud, go to some other place!
I'd take it to another dealership for a second opinion and to get a new belt that is adjusted properly.
There is no other dealer within 350 miles so...
As for easy diagnosis I just came from the dealer. They simply cranked the adjuster a full 1/4" of thread on the bolt. It's tighter than a guitar string right now.
This is all part of the "unacceptable rattle" issue which dealer and Mitsubishi Corp. refuse to resolve and are denying warranty. Mitsu Corp. "is adamant that this is a normal characteristic". If it's normal then why are none of you experiencing it?
Whatever. Typical car company. They're all the same when money's on the line.
Been keeping an eye on mine. It has always been my experience that simple age is far more detrimental to rubber belts than usage. I just take a peek at my belt every oil change, looking for cracks or fraying. I'd much rather take a chance on running a 2-year-old timing belt with 80k on it than a 12-year-old timing belt with 15k on it, just as an example.
I have just under 80k on mine and the serpentine belt looks fine. Just make sure there is no physical damage to your belt and you will be fine, too. If it ain't broke...
On a side note.. I could not find a single reference to the serpentine belt or it's proper adjustment in the so called owner's manual. Am I missing it?
I don't know about the owners manual, but I doubt it will have it.
The service manual shows one weird way using a tool with a microphone. Page 11A8-11A11. Or by deflection. I don't know how to copy the pages and post them.
I just go by feel and make sure it doesn't squeal at all under load with the ac on.
Look at this thread:
Belt Tension Howto
It explains how to get it to proper tension, and includes an mp3 audio recording you could play outside on your mobile phone, for example. You just "twang" it until it does so in the correct pitch to match the recording. Actually very simple.
Wonder why that thread isn't sticky...
Thread: Belt Tension, Howto
Link added
I think I've got a recording good enough to hear the "rattle".
Let's see..
Turns out I dunno how to attach audio file here so here's a link to hear it from Google Drive.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kl-...w?usp=drivesdk
I've had a loud squeal for the past 2 weeks in the morning when starting my car. I decided a dealership visit was not necessary. I swapped out the OEM serpentine (I know, I could've tightened it, but eventually would have gone Gatorback anyway), to a Gatorback. It may just be me, but it sounds a little quieter too. Below is the difference in the way they are manufactured.
I've had belt squeal issues with both Mirages right from new. Usually at startup if it's wet/raining or if car was parked after driving in the rain. It's happened while driving if I run through a puddle or heavy rain where there's excessive water on the pavement.
Most vehicles will squeal if the belt gets wet but I find the Mirage with stock belt to be more prone to it than most.
After dealership and I sort out my exhaust rattle issues I plan on swapping out the stock belt to further quiet things down.
Gatorback looks like a good option if I can find them here.
I love Gatorback. If you need help getting one to you let me know, would be no problem. Belt was only $15.
Are all 5060485's the same?
Dayco's 5060485 is listed at Amazon to fit the Mirage but Continental Elite's equivalent 4060485 is not.
Dayco 5060485 Serpentine Belt
Continental Elite 4060485 Poly-V/Serpentine Belt
http://www.partfinderelite.com/
I'm pretty sure I used that dayco number. It had a ford belt routing on the back of the package. I use an acdelco belt now. Part number is 6k483 20mmx1241mm
http://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/m...rive,belt,8900
It looks like I need to replace the belts on both my car and my GF's. We are hearing some noise on startup and when driving through water. It is nothing like the old Geo Metros but figure it is better to replace these sooner than later.
Is there any brand that is coming up better than the others?
I see there is a guide to tensioning the belt by plucking it. You couldn't really overtighten the Geo Metro belts. I was always amazed at how tight you could get them and not hurt anything. Is it bad to be a tad on the tight side?
Conor
These belts do not get longer/bigger with age, just a little of the rib surface gets worn off. The bolt and nut tensioner is simple, reliable and does the job perfectly. A spring loaded tensioner would also bring reliability issues. I've had them break off or the roller running crooked on many Mercedes for example. I had to overnight in a Mercedes truck in the most remote place of Europe because of that.
At first squeal a simple retightening is usually fully sufficient, but it is worthwhile to check the belt for cracks or obvious signs of wear. Then I would replace it with one from the very many brands available.
We have a belt tensioner how to in this forum:
https://mirageforum.com/forum/showth...-Tension-Howto
When they start to get noisy I just tighten them up with it running under load, ac on headlights rear defrost, heater on high....., tighten it. Rev it up, it it squeaks, tighten it up some more.
I’ve used Dayco, ac delco and now gates brand. They all do the same thing. Black, rubber, spin around. Never had one break yet, I replace them after tightening them a few times.
Just loosen the 12 mm nut before you start engine(obviously) then tighten the 12mm tension bolt. There’s usually no need to loosen the 14mm/9/16” bolt at the bottom unless you’re replacing the belt.
My 82 Toyota trucks used the bolt and nut to adjust all three belts. Nice to see the mirage carrying on the four decade tradition