Micro-V® Belt Troubleshooting Guide

As the Micro-V^® XF belt does a tough job in a demanding environment, it is very important to detect belt wear in time and to have the belt replaced before it fails. The recommended replacement interval is 4 years.

Heat, stress and abrasion affect Micro-V^® XF belts. Slipping belts cause heat build-up, leading to potential accessory damage and/or overheated engines.

A single multi-ribbed belt breaking on a serpentine drive can cause a costly roadside failure. An efficient belt allows the accessory drive to function perfectly. With the water pump functioning properly, the engine will not overheat and will assure a long service life. Gates recommends regular inspection and timely replacement of multi-ribbed belts. Keep in mind, however, that problems with the belt, such as noise, wear or a broken belt, are often caused by a malfunction in the drive. In that case, replacing the belt will not be sufficient. A thorough inspection of the pulleys, idlers and tensioners will be necessary to find (and solve) the real cause of the problem.

The following signs of wear indicate that a multi-ribbed belt needs to be replaced:

1. Random Cracking Across the Ribs

Appearance

Small yet visible cracks along the length of a rib or ribs.

Cause

In addition to continuous exposure to high temperatures, the stress of bending around the pulleys leads to cracking. Cracks begin at the rib top and grow to the cord line. As a rule, if cracks appear 1 or 2 cm apart, 80% of the life is gone and the belt should be replaced.

Solution

Replace with a Gates Micro-V^® XF belt, which is engineered to withstand higher temperatures and resist cracking.