Serpentine Belt

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  • Black_DiamondBlack_Diamond Member Posts: 5,439 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Those belt squeeks under hard acceleration in a vehicle are from the alternator. When the transmission shifts the engine rpm drops, the alternator inertia wants to keep it at the high rpm.  The squeek is the belt slipping a bit until the alternator slows down.  

    Past owner of a 2003 342FV
    PC BYC, Holland, MI
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  • Dream_InnDream_Inn Member, Moderator Posts: 7,965 mod
    I may have to look into this belt as I need to replace one on my street rod that squeals at startup and maybe the boat too cause I have one that has always made a little noise 

    Dream 'Inn III -- 2008 400 Express

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  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    On my 7.3 I wasn't sure if I wanted to blame the hydro boost (runs power steering and brakes) or my alternator.

    I aquired it with 230k miles.  I first tired new gates belt.  I then replaced idlers and tensioner (all OEM) because I still had the squeak on start up and acceleration.  The gator back eliminated the squeak immediately.   

    The same gator back belt has been on there ever since, this has been 100k ago and belt still looks good.  I have a new spare under the passenger seat. 

    Like someone else said, it was a sub 30 dollar belt. I think I spent 50 on the gates which went into the garbage.  






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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2025
    Half way across the bay heading home from a nice overnight stay at Fire Island with my 5 year old I lost steering! I right away thought I lost the pump but all of a sudden I get an overheat alarm on my Starboard engine. I knew right away after the alarm it was the belt. Shut her down, opened the hatch and the belt had a split and was off the engine. I dropped anchor and had my spare on in less than 90 seconds. I probably didn’t have to drop anchor but with it being just me and Ella I figured it was the safest thing to do. First time I’ve had this happen to me. Now, do I stick with the Gates belt or go back to Quicksilver?? ⚓️


    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I’m surprised my camera was working out in the middle of the bay. Me coming up after replacing the belt, LoL!😂⚓️

    https://youtu.be/Cooyi25GZw0?feature=shared


    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Going by my post in this thread the belts will be 3 years old this year. So, I’ll replace both and stick with the Gates belt. Can’t go wrong for $25.
    2008 330EC
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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 606 ✭✭✭
    Good thing you had a spare
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2025
    Yes @captkevin !!
    I think worst case if I didn’t have it, I could’ve used the bad one to get home since it was still together. I would’ve cut off the loose part.
    2008 330EC
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,559 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I had the same thing happen and I was in a hard bank turn on plane. Fun!
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @YYZRC not a good feeling!!
    Luckily I was going straight.
    2008 330EC
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,559 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I tried to run for a while with the starboard motor off. Stretched the heck out of my steering cable. That was a mistake. 

    On a similar note, I snapped a pic of my port power steering pulley bypass belt today. 


    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • rasburyrasbury Member Posts: 9,017 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I lost a belt at the ramp- took it to the local what ever parts...I think an old dodge van matched up- bought 2 and still have it as a spare .

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  • oscar1oscar1 Member Posts: 804 ✭✭✭
    My opinion, because the belt has very low cost, I will be replacing the belt after two years in both engine to be safe. 
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I agree @oscar1 👍🏻⚓️
    2008 330EC
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  • PickleRickPickleRick Member Posts: 4,403 ✭✭✭✭✭
    You rarely go wrong with gates, continental or dayco belts.  It's likely the OEM mercury or quicksilver is made by one of those three.  

    Most of our made in USA belts we sell are produced by either gates or Continental, I can't remember which one. Unfortunately they have now started making a majority of their belts in Mexico,  now our distributor is trying to switch it up to the one that still manufactures in USA (Gates or Continental).   
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  • oscar1oscar1 Member Posts: 804 ✭✭✭
    PickleRick said:
    You rarely go wrong with gates, continental or dayco belts.  It's likely the OEM mercury or quicksilver is made by one of those three.  

    Most of our made in USA belts we sell are produced by either gates or Continental, I can't remember which one. Unfortunately they have now started making a majority of their belts in Mexico,  now our distributor is trying to switch it up to the one that still manufactures in USA (Gates or Continental).   
    I just got a Gate belt for my Coach and it has a print Made in Mexico.
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  • IanIan Member Posts: 3,079 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2025
    YYZRC said:
    I tried to run for a while with the starboard motor off. Stretched the heck out of my steering cable. That was a mistake. 

    On a similar note, I snapped a pic of my port power steering pulley bypass belt today. 


    What engine? Same belt as the 5.0 MPI?

    Regards,

    Ian

    The Third “B”

    Ravena Coeymans Yacht Club

    https://www.rcyachtclub.com/

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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,559 ✭✭✭✭✭
    6.2 / 377 MAG MPI
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I’m going to try the Goodyear belts. Good price and they’re a little longer than the Gates belt for better adjustability. I believe these are the same length as OEM.


    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Amazon link

    https://a.co/d/0fJYDgBv


    2008 330EC
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  • captkevincaptkevin Member Posts: 606 ✭✭✭
    Ordered one up
    2004 232
    2021 Yamaha Fx svho
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I installed the Goodyear belts today and they’re perfect. A lot more adjustability than the gates belts I was using. The gates barely fit over the last pulley and really no adjustment.


    2008 330EC
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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 268 ✭✭✭
    edited November 2
    aero3113 said:
    Going by my post in this thread the belts will be 3 years old this year. So, I’ll replace both and stick with the Gates belt. Can’t go wrong for $25.

    Do you normally PM your belts, or wait for them to shred? I've inspected mine for cracks and they look OK, but I have no idea how old they are. It might be prudent of me to replace them.
    2006 342EC - Twin Mercruiser 350 MAG MPI Horizons
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I usually replace for preventative maintenance.
    2008 330EC
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  • YYZRCYYZRC Member Posts: 5,559 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @grouch0jr spitting the starboard belt at 30mph is no fun. Worth the relatively small investment. 
    2006 390 EC
    2008 350 EC
    Georgian Bay
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  • grouch0jrgrouch0jr Member Posts: 268 ✭✭✭
    What's a reasonable interval? I've got quicksilver belts in my spare parts bin.
    2006 342EC - Twin Mercruiser 350 MAG MPI Horizons
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Keep the ones you remove as spares. Also, make sure you have the correct size wrenches to replace them if you’re out on the water.
    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I saved someone with a single engine when his belt broke. It was his birthday and was docked at a restaurant. I asked what engine he had, I said hold on! Got him back up and running in 5 minutes. He came back over to me after with a gift certificate to the restaurant ⚓️.
    2008 330EC
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  • aero3113aero3113 Member Posts: 10,043 ✭✭✭✭✭
    @grouch0jr every 2 years is a good interval.
    2008 330EC
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