Goodyear Gatorback (Acc. belt) - Toyota Yaris Forums

devinlamothe · 05-03-2010, 06:56 PM

Hey all,

This may be just my experience with this belt but, STAY AWAY. This belt squeals like a mofo on start because the material is slippery and/or it does not work well for our car (yes, I did get the proper part).

Had my mechanic re-tighten and it STILL does it. Not very healthy at all. Went back to an OEM belt and now things are fine.

If anyone has had any other experiences with the gatorback let me know what it has done to your car.

YarisSedan · 05-03-2010, 09:57 PM

Only 2 belts id ever use is Bando first and if for some reason i cant get it then gates as a secondary. Both are OE belt manufactures for nearly all cars.

1stToyota · 05-04-2010, 09:51 AM

If at all possible, I use Bando or ContiTech first (Napa's Import Altrom line)...and their Gates belt if they're not available.

CTScott · 05-04-2010, 10:38 AM

I have always had good luck with Gatorbacks. I don't currently have any on either Yaris, but my Xterra is running two (main drive belt and supercharger belt) and my Bunton commercial mower is running a full set (four belts).

severous01 · 05-04-2010, 12:21 PM

i had a gatorback on my camaro...400+ hp, ac, 160 amp alternator...never had a problem. my jeep had one on it, put on at 60k miles and it was still good 6 yrs later at 275k miles.

buddy of mine said his was like 9 yrs old on his camaro. he said he's had to change just about every idler and tension pully 4-5 times but kept the belt.

i like the gatorbacks. they do hum a little bit but it's worthi it's weight in gold for what it does and how long it'll last.

Rick · 05-04-2010, 01:34 PM

I've got to give Gatorbacks their due also. I've got a ten year old Gatorback on my blown Cobra (~50K mi) that sees severe service regularly. At max boost the blower sucks about 75 horsepower more through the accessory drive serpentine belt than an OEM system would. I expected that belt to be an ongoing problem ... but it has not been.

For all I know it may not run quietly, but it's not louder than the blower.

devinlamothe · 05-04-2010, 07:08 PM

I just meant it's not good for the Yaris, lol. On start it ALWAYS slips and squeals like mad. Either that or my mech didn't do a good job tightening it.

I don't doubt on other cars it works great as I went by all the rave reviews on how quiet it is.

CTScott · 05-04-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

I just meant it's not good for the Yaris, lol. On start it ALWAYS slips and squeals like mad. Either that or my mech didn't do a good job tightening it.

I don't doubt on other cars it works great as I went by all the rave reviews on how quiet it is.

If he didn't tighten it properly to begin with, the belt may have glazed. Once it's glazed, it'll squeal like a pig.

devinlamothe · 05-04-2010, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CTScott

If he didn't tighten it properly to begin with, the belt may have glazed. Once it's glazed, it'll squeal like a pig.

That could very well be. I hope this won't damage anything - I have an appointment set up for next Tuesday (earliest time I could get in

).

It freakin' squeals like crazy right in the morning and only for a few seconds every start after that. I just don't want it to snap.

Black Yaris · 05-04-2010, 09:47 PM

I just put a gatorback on my 1AZ-FE in the RAV with no problems..... I have always used gatorbacks, they last forever and have never squealed for me

CTScott · 05-04-2010, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by devinlamothe

That could very well be. I hope this won't damage anything - I have an appointment set up for next Tuesday (earliest time I could get in

).

It freakin' squeals like crazy right in the morning and only for a few seconds every start after that. I just don't want it to snap.

It won't hurt anything, except your ears. As long as the squeak stops once it's up and running then the alternator and waterpump are being driven.

severous01 · 05-05-2010, 12:46 PM

re-tighten and hit it with some brake cleaner while it's running. on the inside, not outside. also, dont use carb/choke cleaner as it leaves residue. and dont drench it, just tap the nozzle till the whole thing is wet.

MUSKOKA800 · 05-05-2010, 02:45 PM

Or try belt dressing. The product engineered for the purpose.
Industrial supply houses should have it if local auto parts stores don't.

yarrr · 05-05-2010, 10:45 PM

^^ but increasing friction by corroding your belt and taking half its life is so much more fun! Kinda like cutting extra grooves in your tires to keep them from spinning on a launch.

IllusionX · 02-27-2013, 11:22 AM

reiving old thread...

I didn't research before buying, but i got the gatorback for my Yaris.. installed, drove 200km and let it sit outside.. it squeaked, then i re-tighten it and it never squeaked again.

UberSilver · 02-27-2013, 12:17 PM

I put a $2.73 gates from rockauto, and it does chirp on start up, but thats it.

alanwagen · 02-28-2013, 09:54 PM

IMHO, I like Gates belts. Around $15 bucks.

05-03-2010, 06:56 PM	#1
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	Goodyear Gatorback (Acc. belt) Hey all, This may be just my experience with this belt but, STAY AWAY. This belt squeals like a mofo on start because the material is slippery and/or it does not work well for our car (yes, I did get the proper part). Had my mechanic re-tighten and it STILL does it. Not very healthy at all. Went back to an OEM belt and now things are fine. If anyone has had any other experiences with the gatorback let me know what it has done to your car.

05-03-2010, 09:57 PM	#2
YarisSedan Drives: 08 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California - Bay Area Posts: 2,773	Only 2 belts id ever use is Bando first and if for some reason i cant get it then gates as a secondary. Both are OE belt manufactures for nearly all cars. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3210549

05-04-2010, 09:51 AM	#3
1stToyota Drives: 2013 Chevy Spark 1LT 5-speed Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,185	If at all possible, I use Bando or ContiTech first (Napa's Import Altrom line)...and their Gates belt if they're not available. __________________ 1997 Lincoln Town Car - *SOLD* 2008 Scion xD (w/ automatic) - SOLD 2008 Yaris HB - SOLD

05-04-2010, 09:47 PM	#10
Black Yaris der Zeck View User's Garage Drives: '05 Audi A4 1.8t quattro Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 5,231	I just put a gatorback on my 1AZ-FE in the RAV with no problems..... I have always used gatorbacks, they last forever and have never squealed for me __________________

05-05-2010, 02:45 PM	#13
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	Or try belt dressing. The product engineered for the purpose. Industrial supply houses should have it if local auto parts stores don't. __________________ TRD Upgrades: 18" Wheels wrapped in 215/35/18 PZero's, Sportivo Shocks/Struts, Lowering Springs, Swaybar, Axle-Back Exhaust, Oil Cap, Rad Cap, Signage. Aftermarket Goodies: Piggies SS, K&N Drop-In, Blitz S/C, DC Header, NST Pulley) Toyota Options/Accessories: Sport Pedal Covers, Sport Shift Knob, Ipod Interface, Summer Mats, Winter Mats, Cruise Control, Auto-Dim Mirror, Echo steelies with winter boots.

05-04-2010, 10:38 AM	#4
CTScott ULTIMATE View User's Garage Drives: 09 5dr LB, 2x 08 3dr LB Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA, CT Posts: 13,460	I have always had good luck with Gatorbacks. I don't currently have any on either Yaris, but my Xterra is running two (main drive belt and supercharger belt) and my Bunton commercial mower is running a full set (four belts).

05-04-2010, 12:21 PM	#5
severous01 Drives: 2008 yaris, stripped, red Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Texas Posts: 977	i had a gatorback on my camaro...400+ hp, ac, 160 amp alternator...never had a problem. my jeep had one on it, put on at 60k miles and it was still good 6 yrs later at 275k miles. buddy of mine said his was like 9 yrs old on his camaro. he said he's had to change just about every idler and tension pully 4-5 times but kept the belt. i like the gatorbacks. they do hum a little bit but it's worthi it's weight in gold for what it does and how long it'll last.

05-04-2010, 01:34 PM	#6
Rick Drives: '08 Yaris LB 5M Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: MN Posts: 31	I've got to give Gatorbacks their due also. I've got a ten year old Gatorback on my blown Cobra (~50K mi) that sees severe service regularly. At max boost the blower sucks about 75 horsepower more through the accessory drive serpentine belt than an OEM system would. I expected that belt to be an ongoing problem ... but it has not been. For all I know it may not run quietly, but it's not louder than the blower.

05-04-2010, 07:08 PM	#7
devinlamothe Drives: '07 Yaris HB Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Sudbury, Canada Posts: 520	I just meant it's not good for the Yaris, lol. On start it ALWAYS slips and squeals like mad. Either that or my mech didn't do a good job tightening it. I don't doubt on other cars it works great as I went by all the rave reviews on how quiet it is.

05-05-2010, 12:46 PM	#12
severous01 Drives: 2008 yaris, stripped, red Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Texas Posts: 977	re-tighten and hit it with some brake cleaner while it's running. on the inside, not outside. also, dont use carb/choke cleaner as it leaves residue. and dont drench it, just tap the nozzle till the whole thing is wet.

05-05-2010, 10:45 PM	#14
yarrr Banned Drives: 07 sedan Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: new mexico Posts: 292	^^ but increasing friction by corroding your belt and taking half its life is so much more fun! Kinda like cutting extra grooves in your tires to keep them from spinning on a launch.

02-27-2013, 11:22 AM	#15
IllusionX It's the illusion you see View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Aero Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brossard, QC Posts: 3,888	reiving old thread... I didn't research before buying, but i got the gatorback for my Yaris.. installed, drove 200km and let it sit outside.. it squeaked, then i re-tighten it and it never squeaked again.

02-27-2013, 12:17 PM	#16
UberSilver Drives: 08Yaris2D, 88LandCruiser. Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Alameda,Ca. Posts: 476	I put a $2.73 gates from rockauto, and it does chirp on start up, but thats it.

02-28-2013, 09:54 PM	#17
alanwagen Drives: 2015Yaris, Son's car, 10 Prius Join Date: May 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 181	IMHO, I like Gates belts. Around $15 bucks.

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