The Yaris sucks.

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

Originally Posted by firemachine69

Blew the serpentine belt with a hair under 39k miles.


Left me stranded and delayed my trip home by five hours, plus a bill for a new belt and 3/4's hour labour - on a Sunday. At least Toyota gave me a one-time-only courtesy tow (just past warranty).


Whichever engineer decided that the Yaris should not have an automatic tension adjustment should be shot, plain and simple. Re-tightening the belt every oil change, with a new belt every 30k miles (per my dealership's service manager) should not be SOP. That's just ungodly stupid.


/End rant.

haven't been around cars much, eh ?

MOST engines never have a floating tensioner on the accessory belt.

only the timing belts have floating tensioners.

accessory belts need to have occasional static tension checks
with a tensiometer, adjusted accordingly, then locked in place

[ilikerice]

Originally Posted by A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby

MOST engines never have a floating tensioner on the accessory belt.

only the timing belts have floating tensioners.

accessory belts need to have occasional static tension checks
with a tensiometer, adjusted accordingly, then locked in place

I would say MOST 4 cylinder motors do not use floating tensions for accessorys

MOST V6 V8 motors use floating tensioners on serpentine belts. I usually see them on the RWD motors where the belts is in the front of the car. usually FWD have the adjustable ones.

At least this is what I have noticed as a Toyota/Lexus Tech..

[A-Dingo-Ate-My-Baby]

Originally Posted by ilikerice

I would say MOST 4 cylinder motors do not use floating tensions for accessorys

MOST V6 V8 motors use floating tensioners on serpentine belts. I usually see them on the RWD motors where the belts is in the front of the car. usually FWD have the adjustable ones.

At least this is what I have noticed as a Toyota/Lexus Tech..

most automotive engines are 4 cylinders. they dominate the worldwide market.
non auto-tensioned belts also dominate the market. it is proven technology.
you need to check it's tension and condition when the oil is changed.

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by ilikerice

I would say MOST 4 cylinder motors do not use floating tensions for accessorys

MOST V6 V8 motors use floating tensioners on serpentine belts.

Interesting. Why would V motors need tensioners more than I4 motors?

[ilikerice]

Originally Posted by Yaristeve

Interesting. Why would V motors need tensioners more than I4 motors?

I honestly do not know. I have just noticed this after working on cars for a while. Noted that not ALL "V" motors have those type. My girls Xterra has 3 belts for each accessory and each has a separate adjustable tensioner.

Its mostly the serpentine belts that connect all accessories (A/C comp, P/S pump, and alt.) have the spring loaded tensioner.


I have only had to tighten my belt one time after replacing it on any car. As CTscott says, usually a week after replacing when the belt finally stretches to its limits. I just examine the belt during oil changes to see if it starting to dry rot. Then I would consider changing it, not tighten it more.

[markitect]

Originally Posted by CTScott

Per the service manual, the belt should only be retensioned once after it is run for a short time after initial installation. Chances are your water pump will go soon as well from your service people constantly overtightening the belt.

My bet is they over-tightened it too, I've never had to tighten mine.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by ilikerice

I honestly do not know. I have just noticed this after working on cars for a while. Noted that not ALL "V" motors have those type. My girls Xterra has 3 belts for each accessory and each has a separate adjustable tensioner.

Its mostly the serpentine belts that connect all accessories (A/C comp, P/S pump, and alt.) have the spring loaded tensioner.


I have only had to tighten my belt one time after replacing it on any car. As CTscott says, usually a week after replacing when the belt finally stretches to its limits. I just examine the belt during oil changes to see if it starting to dry rot. Then I would consider changing it, not tighten it more.

^^^^^This. I've replaced my serpentine belt once (at 207-208k) and it slipped a few days after installation. I took it back and the shop made an adjustment for free. It has been fine ever since.

[daf62757]

Originally Posted by ilikerice

I honestly do not know. I have just noticed this after working on cars for a while. Noted that not ALL "V" motors have those type. My girls Xterra has 3 belts for each accessory and each has a separate adjustable tensioner.

Its mostly the serpentine belts that connect all accessories (A/C comp, P/S pump, and alt.) have the spring loaded tensioner.


I have only had to tighten my belt one time after replacing it on any car. As CTscott says, usually a week after replacing when the belt finally stretches to its limits. I just examine the belt during oil changes to see if it starting to dry rot. Then I would consider changing it, not tighten it more.

I think part of the problem is that the engine is transverse and the amount of open area to work on the belt and other components is very limited. Us old timers have a long history of busted knuckles from doing work back with the V8 was almost standard and we had plenty of room.

[ilikerice]

Originally Posted by daf62757

I think part of the problem is that the engine is transverse and the amount of open area to work on the belt and other components is very limited. Us old timers have a long history of busted knuckles from doing work back with the V8 was almost standard and we had plenty of room.

I dont believe one second that an engineer actually thinks about the mechanic when disigning this stuff

but actually makes sense.. probably by accident