| Author |
Message |
Tim Urbin
Guest
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 Posted:
Sun Jan 09, 2005 8:28 pm Post subject:
Catera serpentine belt- help needed |
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My daughter has 1 2000 Cadillac Catera 3.0L FI.
The serpentine belt broke. Took it into Advanced Auto Parts and matched it
for size. When I went to put it on, it was to small- even with the tensioner
fully compressed. So I checked online and all the parts stores I checked had
the same size belt listed but it was different from the one that came off.
So I picked one up and compared it to the one I had. Turns out the one they
listed is even smaller than the one I matched to the belt that came off of
the car.
Any suggestions on what the problem is? Should I just ask for a belt that is
an inch longer than the one they gave me? Are there different size belts
used on this engine?
I have double checked the routing of the belt around the pulleys. It is
correct. I have also made sure that the belt isn't going around anything it
shouldn't!
Thanks in advance for any help on this frustrating problem!
Tim Urbin
Bluff City, TN
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shiden_kai
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:20 pm Post subject:
Re: Catera serpentine belt- help needed |
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Tim Urbin wrote:
| Quote: | My daughter has 1 2000 Cadillac Catera 3.0L FI.
The serpentine belt broke. Took it into Advanced Auto Parts and
matched it for size. When I went to put it on, it was to small- even
with the tensioner fully compressed. So I checked online and all the
parts stores I checked had the same size belt listed but it was
different from the one that came off. So I picked one up and compared
it to the one I had. Turns out the one they listed is even smaller
than the one I matched to the belt that came off of the car.
Any suggestions on what the problem is?
|
You haven't been to a Cadillac dealer yet?
Ian |
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Wendy & John
Guest
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| Posted:
Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:57 pm Post subject:
Re: Catera serpentine belt- help needed |
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"Tim Urbin" wrote:
2000 Cadillac Catera 3.0L FI Serpentine belt broke.
New recommended belt from auto parts store is too small.
Any suggestions on what the problem is? Should I just ask
for a belt that is an inch longer ? Are there different size
belts used on this engine? Tim Urbin Bluff City, TN
________________________________________________
We replaced the alternator on our 92 Buick and suddenly
the belt was too tight. We double-checked with the auto
parts dealer who showed us it was the correct alternator
specified for our car, but we found the new pulley was
larger than the old one. The dealer installed the old pulley
on the new alternator and everything was fine.
If the Catera belt length problem comes from a prior pulley
change, a longer belt will do the job. Record the part
number of the longer belt for future reference.
Wendy & John.
_______________________________________________
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Tim Urbin
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:10 pm Post subject:
Re: Catera serpentine belt- help needed |
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Hello, Ian!
No I haven't- should I? It seems to be a straight forward process if the
belt is the right size. Am I missing something that would require a dealer
to address?
Tim
--
Tim Urbin
Bluff City, TN
"shiden_kai" <violet_lightening_modified@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:GBeEd.33251$Xk.25322@pd7tw3no...
| Quote: | Tim Urbin wrote:
My daughter has 1 2000 Cadillac Catera 3.0L FI.
The serpentine belt broke. Took it into Advanced Auto Parts and
matched it for size. When I went to put it on, it was to small- even
with the tensioner fully compressed. So I checked online and all the
parts stores I checked had the same size belt listed but it was
different from the one that came off. So I picked one up and compared
it to the one I had. Turns out the one they listed is even smaller
than the one I matched to the belt that came off of the car.
Any suggestions on what the problem is?
You haven't been to a Cadillac dealer yet?
Ian
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Tim Urbin
Guest
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| Posted:
Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:12 pm Post subject:
Re: Catera serpentine belt- help needed |
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Thanks! That is helpful to know as I was suspecting something was different
since the belt that broke was larger than the standard belt. The history of
this vehicle is not clear so a changed pulley is a strong possibility.
Tim
"Wendy & John" <ardanswj@kilobar.net> wrote in message
news:m8fEd.8425$lG.6257@trnddc03...
| Quote: | "Tim Urbin" wrote:
2000 Cadillac Catera 3.0L FI Serpentine belt broke.
New recommended belt from auto parts store is too small.
Any suggestions on what the problem is? Should I just ask
for a belt that is an inch longer ? Are there different size
belts used on this engine? Tim Urbin Bluff City, TN
________________________________________________
We replaced the alternator on our 92 Buick and suddenly
the belt was too tight. We double-checked with the auto
parts dealer who showed us it was the correct alternator
specified for our car, but we found the new pulley was
larger than the old one. The dealer installed the old pulley
on the new alternator and everything was fine.
If the Catera belt length problem comes from a prior pulley
change, a longer belt will do the job. Record the part
number of the longer belt for future reference.
Wendy & John.
_______________________________________________
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shiden_kai
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Jan 11, 2005 7:56 am Post subject:
Re: Catera serpentine belt- help needed |
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Tim Urbin wrote:
| Quote: | No I haven't- should I? It seems to be a straight forward process if
the belt is the right size. Am I missing something that would require
a dealer to address?
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My experience has been that you often don't get the right belt
from aftermarket places for specialized applications like the
Catera. I'd be getting an original GM belt and trying that before
you worry about whether the pulleys are the original size or
not.
Ian |
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Tim Urbin
Guest
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| Posted:
Tue Jan 11, 2005 5:59 pm Post subject:
Re: Catera serpentine belt- help needed |
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Oh- thanks, Ian. I misunderstood. I thought you meant for them to do the
work on it- I wasn't thinking for getting the part. How does the cost
compare to aftermarket prices? Competitive? The aftermarket prices ranged
from a low of $14 for a Kelly-Springfield to a high of $40 for a Dayco.
As always, your responses are very helpful!
Tim
--
Tim Urbin
Bluff City, TN
"shiden_kai" <violet_lightening_modified@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:tgIEd.46748$Xk.21876@pd7tw3no...
| Quote: | Tim Urbin wrote:
No I haven't- should I? It seems to be a straight forward process if
the belt is the right size. Am I missing something that would require
a dealer to address?
My experience has been that you often don't get the right belt
from aftermarket places for specialized applications like the
Catera. I'd be getting an original GM belt and trying that before
you worry about whether the pulleys are the original size or
not.
Ian
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shiden_kai
Guest
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| Posted:
Wed Jan 12, 2005 6:03 am Post subject:
Re: Catera serpentine belt- help needed |
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Tim Urbin wrote:
| Quote: | Oh- thanks, Ian. I misunderstood. I thought you meant for them to do
the work on it- I wasn't thinking for getting the part. How does the
cost compare to aftermarket prices? Competitive? The aftermarket
prices ranged from a low of $14 for a Kelly-Springfield to a high of
$40 for a Dayco.
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That I don't know. No doubt it's much more expensive...but then again,
if it fits...can't beat that.
Ian |
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