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Thread: Anyone tried Gatorback serpentine belts for Tdi300 squeals?

  1. #11
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    pic of European made Gates belt.

    D5500_DSC_0325.jpgD5500_DSC_0334.jpg

    grooved side is just std grooves, no funky patterned design like the Gatrobacks.
    The usually smooth side with the crosshatch has a very slippery feeling to it too .. like a plasticky/nylon/poly type feeling .. not sticky like rubber when you run your finger on it.

    I'll try to fit 'er up this morning before I head out.


    EDIT: I lied!
    surface finish on the crosshatched side is now sticky like rubber!
    When I first opened the package, it was definitley smooth-slippery like a hard nylon plastic, but not I took it out to try fit it, it's definitely gotten more rubbery/sticky.
    I'll assume some packaging anomaly .. maybe some transfer of stuff from inside the wrapping or whatever .. but definitely feels different now(a few days later) than it first did.
    Arthur.

    '99 D1 300Tdi Auto
    '03 D2 Td5 Auto

  2. #12
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    looks like a wafer cross hatching.

  3. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by AK83 View Post
    no funky patterned design like the Gatrobacks.
    I'm tempted to take a discarded squeaking Dayco belt and cut the 7 ribs 'gator' style. Issues will be selecting the cutting method and holding the belt while it is done.

    The idea that it is the edge of the belt rubbing the pulley is interesting, but how does that explain the squealing stopping when I take that belt to another D1 Tdi300 that has no history of squealing and where the pulley system looks the same.

    I've not found an explanation of why we need a dynamic belt tensioner on these type of engines.

    Granted, the tensioner arm rises when the belt goes from stationary to running.

    My understanding is these belts have almost no stretch.

    I'm guessing the drive force received from the crank harmonic balancer pulls the first half of the belt through quicker that the rear of the belt can keep up with. This would 'shorten' the belt on one part of the belt circuit, reflected in the rise of the belt tensioner arm.

    Compare that to the older method of getting under a vehicle and winding a belt tensioning bolt to a fixed position, with no allowance for whether the belt is not running or running under full power. What is the difference? Is it because the modern serpentine route is longer than the older systems and requires a dynamic tensioner?

    Does anyone know of a serpentine system that uses the older fixed style of tensioning?

    I can only reason that the Tdi300 dynamic type of tensioner is used because it is easier to manipulate when changing belts, and auto adjusts for slight variance in belt lengths from new or where the belt ages and stretches slightly. Under the old system, if a new belt is slightly different in length or a belt has aged and stretched you have to make a manual adjustment to the tensioner.

  4. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by workingonit View Post
    ....

    I can only reason that the Tdi300 dynamic type of tensioner is used because it is easier to manipulate when changing belts, and auto adjusts for slight variance in belt lengths from new or where the belt ages and stretches slightly. Under the old system, if a new belt is slightly different in length or a belt has aged and stretched you have to make a manual adjustment to the tensioner.
    I'd say assembly(at the plant) must be a factor too.
    Easier and quicker to just bolt one thing up, and wrap the belt around.
    Alternative with a tensioning bolt setup would be (time factor) wind in bolt, place belt, wind bolt, check tension, adjust if necessary .. etc, etc..

    as they say time is money .. and one more part that LR can rip the bejeezus out of it's customers with!
    Arthur.

    '99 D1 300Tdi Auto
    '03 D2 Td5 Auto

  5. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by AK83 View Post
    I'd say assembly(at the plant) must be a factor too.
    ...more than likely.

    Here's an interesting photo off wikipedia 'Tensioner'. Seems to be a fixed rather than self adjusting tensioner on a serpentine system AND seemingly using a GatorbackBelt if you look closely. Credits for the photo simply say a 1999 7.4 litre engine.



    Edit: have now seen very similar tensioner types on a few clips and seem to be auto adjust.

  6. #16
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    Interesting. Gates laser alignment tool. Wonder how you can tell tensioner misalignment given there are no grooves.

    YouTube

  7. #17
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    Update on the Gates belt:
    Fitted the other day, fixed the crickety sounding squeak(as I'd expect).
    Note on the still new looking Dayco belt removed that was causing the squeak, it's smooth top side is definitely more slippery than the cross hatched side of the Gates belt.
    It had one small (maybe 2-3" inch section of the smooth side that was 'more smooth'. Looks like a small area where it slipped a little, almost certainly causing the squeak noise(dunno??)
    Arthur.

    '99 D1 300Tdi Auto
    '03 D2 Td5 Auto

  8. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by AK83 View Post
    Update on the Gates belt
    I was sent a Gates belt, the supplier thinking it was a GatorBack - not so much because of the similar name, but that it had cross hatching on the back of the belt. Might fit it today to see what difference it makes.

  9. #19
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    Tried the belt. Squeal went way for a while, but came back eventually.

    But now I have something else that can be added to the list of 'may fix the sqeal'. Replaced the manifold gasket which was leaking oil, which also requires taking off and then putting back on and re-tightening the turbo hoses etc. Belt went quiet and has been so for about 6 months now. Oil is normally thought of as a lubricator. But could oil vapour on a belt, from whatever source, be an issue...who knows.

    The other three D1s don't have gasket issues and don't squeal.

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