Radiator hoses and serpentine belt

Register to hide this ad
There really isn't a set expiration date/mileage on those two items.

For the rad hoses, do a visual and a feel for any bulges.
For the accessory belt, look for visible cracks or noise.

Quick google with give you more details on how to determine if replacements are needed.
 
No real service interval, an "unofficial" one that got used at my old dealership was 10yr/120k for the hoses.

Realistically you're looking for seeping from the hoses as they break down, the edges will show dried coolant and you'll see pink coolant wicking out of the cloth reinforcement that sticks out of the hose at the ends where it's cut. At that point the hose should be replaced. Another indicator is if the hoses start swelling excessively around the clamps, that indicates it's weakened and requires replacement as well. Otherwise if they feel good and look solid, you're probably fine.

Here's two examples I grabbed from Google.

Swelled hose:
SBF%20heater%20hose.jpg~original


Seeping Coolant Hose:
DSCN0354_zpssnpw6ztg.jpg
[/URL]~original[/IMG]

As for the drive belt, if it looks cracked or very glazed it should probably be replaced. Otherwise you should be good. Depending on the area the belts can last a decent amount.
 
Thank ya Sir. My hoses definitely look more like the top hose. Need to verify the serpentine with a flashlight. At a quick glance, no obvious cracks on top of the ribs.
 
I'm going on 175k miles on the original serpentine belt and it still looks good. I think I'll replace it in a few weeks and keep the old one in the truck as a back up.
 
2003-4x4runner said:
I'm going on 175k miles on the original serpentine belt and it still looks good. I think I'll replace it in a few weeks and keep the old one in the truck as a back up.
Click to expand...

175k? That belt should look pretty cracked up by then. Most of the time by about 70~80k they start getting small cracks in them.
 
don't just look for cracking on the belt but you should see how much material is left on the ribs. there could be no cracks but the belt can split between the ribs and break. buy a belt wear gauge.
 
Tech405 said:
don't just look for cracking on the belt but you should see how much material is left on the ribs. there could be no cracks but the belt can split between the ribs and break. buy a belt wear gauge.
Click to expand...

That's a good point, though honestly I haven't seen any Toyota belt really wear that severely enough before cracking or looking obviously glazed under normal conditions.
 
Holy cow! Only 35k miles? I think I put that on mine within the first year of owning it.

As for the belts and hoses, I would look for signs of cracking, especially since it seems like it may do a fair amount of sitting.
 
Tech405 said:
don't just look for cracking on the belt but you should see how much material is left on the ribs. there could be no cracks but the belt can split between the ribs and break. buy a belt wear gauge.
Click to expand...

That's great advice on using the wear gauge!

Here's a video from one manufacturer on using one, which is so easy even your kids or wife can use it, and they're cheap, so everyone should have one!!

https://youtu.be/GZvPMnE50UM
 
Last edited:
I got one of those Gates belt testers for free last year. Scotty Kilmer had a video and link for a freebie.

Looks like you can still request them for free directly from Gates. Link Here.
 
Last edited:
ZebRuaj said:
I got one of those Gates belt testers for free last year. Scotty Kilmer had a video and link for a freebie.

Looks like you can still request them for free directly from Gates. Link Here.
Click to expand...

THANKS, now they're even cheaper, there's no reason now that every member here shouldn't have one!!
 
2003-4x4runner said:
No cracks on the belt so far. I'm surprised that its still looks good.
Click to expand...

With that many miles on it I doubt it's still a good belt, a belt can be worn, i.e. the teeth/grooves, and still not have any cracks in it, get one to the belt tester mentioned and linked above and see if it's indeed stll good or not!
 
AuSeeker said:
With that many miles on it I doubt it's still a good belt, a belt can be worn, i.e. the teeth/grooves, and still not have any cracks in it, get one to the belt tester mentioned and linked above and see if it's indeed stll good or not!
Click to expand...

I know you don't believe me but I'm telling you the belt is still in good shape! No cracks, No teeth/grooves missing or worn, No squealing. On my 150K mile service I asked my mechanic to replace the belt and said it looks great and I shouldn't replace it.
 
2003-4x4runner said:
I know you don't believe me but I'm telling you the belt is still in good shape! No cracks, No teeth/grooves missing or worn, No squealing. On my 150K mile service I asked my mechanic to replace the belt and said it looks great and I shouldn't replace it.
Click to expand...

There's no way to tell if the belt is worn beyond it being useable without using a belt tester that is why they started making the testers, you mechanic can't tell either unless he use a tester!!
 
It's obviously a spelling error, should read "your mechanic",
just trying to keep you from possibly using a worn belt, do what you want!
 
Last edited:
With BANDO 7PK2120 belts going for $16 and change on RockAuto, why risk running on an old belt?

$16 + common hand tools and 10 minutes. Done. Peace of mind.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 6,428 (members: 4, guests: 6,424)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,316
Messages
3,554,120
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top