Cracking drive belts

vegpedlr · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:54 am Post subject: Cracking drive belts

My brand new drive belts are already cracking. The previous set (P.O.) did not last long either. What might cause this premature wear? Or, is it as one mechanic told me, that the Contitech belts are just shite?

windnsea · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:37 am Post subject:

The belts might have been new to you but NOS to the warehouse of FLAPS. I've learned to always carry an extra one or two belts under the rear seat and store them in an unfolded condition.

SCM · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:40 am Post subject:

Check your pulleys too. I had a peice of gravel stuck in my water pump pulley once and it chewed the heck out of that belt.
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'91 Westfalia GL Automatic (GTA "Turbo" Rebuild w/Peloquin) and 2.3L GoWesty Engine

the joker · Samba Member Joined: October 12, 2006 Posts: 1287

Mine to
Less than a year old
Full of cracks already

I think a lot of vw replacement stuff are knock offs with German/ Dutch labels

Remember a some time ago Chinese plaster found in US Rx's

slobrewer · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 4:52 pm Post subject:

And me as well. It seems they last six to nine months before they start cracking. I'm on my third set and I've been sourcing continentals from GoWesty so they should be high quality and reasonably fresh.
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White 1988 Vanagon Westfalia (Automatic, A/C, solar, aux battery, 15" GW wheels, 8' Fiamma awning, 63 qt. Edgestar fridge, homebrew on tap)

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 5:43 pm Post subject:

What engine, stock exhaust, and do you have your exhaust heat shields and engine tins in place?

Just curious as the muffler is closer to the engine pulleys than any engine I've owned and I'd imagine the stock WBX, exhaust and shields would be critical to belt life. Changes to any of these may affect localized heat.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

boof1306 · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 6:09 pm Post subject:

Over tensioning will cause them to crack prematurely. So often done on 2.1 alternator belts.

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50337

The quality of Contitech belts seems to be going to H*!!

IdahoDoug · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 7:56 pm Post subject:

Hmm, bummer. I was excited to have that characteristic yellow packaging and the Continental brand to put on my girlie. Now I'm wishing I'd kept the old one as a spare...

Atop that, it's the brand I sought out for my Quattro's timing belt and drive belts. Will keep an eye on them - tx.
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

rubbachicken · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 8:04 pm Post subject:

this, i've been using these for a while now, if i get 12 months from a new belt i'm doing well.

slobrewer · Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2014 9:20 pm Post subject:

Anyone have a recommendation for a better brand of belt?
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White 1988 Vanagon Westfalia (Automatic, A/C, solar, aux battery, 15" GW wheels, 8' Fiamma awning, 63 qt. Edgestar fridge, homebrew on tap)

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50337

My best experiences have been with Dayco Top Cog belts, YMMV.

AtlasShrugged · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 7:15 am Post subject:

I've had good service out the Gatorback belts

Got the Gatorbacks off the Bay, buy it now..Sinbad's Electronics..seller joe88ca..this was a few years ago so the prices may be higher

A/C belt 17456 $6.89 free shipping
WP/Alt belt 15440 $5.42 free shipping
PS belt 15430 $5.62 free shipping

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Gates, Goodyear, Dayco in this order.

All good belts.
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T.K.

kalispell365 · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 2:26 pm Post subject:

madspaniard · Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2014 2:32 pm Post subject:

Goodyear gatorbacks here.
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1991 Westy auto w/ Peloquin TBD

"The only difference between me and a madman is that I'm not mad” - Salvador Dali

vanagonjon · Samba Member Joined: July 17, 2006 Posts: 230

Continental has a huge belt manufacturing plant in Romania, that is where most of these belts come from that are sold in the US aftermarket.

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

So any belts manufactured in Eastern Europe are no good?
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T.K.

slobrewer · Posted: Sun Oct 19, 2014 10:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks. I've ordered some Gates belts from Amazon and will give those a whirl.
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White 1988 Vanagon Westfalia (Automatic, A/C, solar, aux battery, 15" GW wheels, 8' Fiamma awning, 63 qt. Edgestar fridge, homebrew on tap)

Terry Kay · Banned Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331

Real Good belts---you'll be happy with these.
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T.K.


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