serpentine drive belt

[greasefingers]

I have look in my Owner’s manual (the blue book for scheduled maintenance) and the replacement schedule for the serpentine belt seems to be missing. I am approaching 60 k miles and I am wondering if I should replace it? It is a 2003 V8 T4R Sport.

[gquenstedt]

I think it is supposed to be inspected at 60K and then every 15k after that. If it is not squeeling and there are no cracks that run lengthwise on the belt and there aren't any chunks of ribs missing, then I would say leave it.

[greasefingers]

Yea I hear you. It looks perfectly fine, but I am going on vacation in June with my family and will put at least 1000 miles on her during the trip to the Outer Banks, NC; and I think about these things. It is funny that the Book says nothing about replacement??

[RobXS]

With only 3 years on it, i wouldn't worry too much about it. As already said, if it isn't cracked, you are probably ok. For peace of mind it wouldn't hurt anything to replace it. A couple of hours and $40 or so for the belt will let you worry about more important things like finding gas for under $3 a gallon.

[rushead]

I just bought an '01 Access LTD w/ 50,XXX and it's squeaking when cold. Better to replace than worry!

[greasefingers]

I believe I found the correct part number for a Goodyear Gatorback serpinetine belt for the V8 engine.
Goodyear pn# 4060882

The first digit [4] represents the type of belt (K-section Poly-V belt)
The second & third digits [06] represent the number of ribs = six ribs
The 4th, 5th, & 6th digits represent the length in inches = 88 inches long
And the last digit [2] represents the tenths or fractional length =0.2 from 2/10
Therefore the belt is 88.2 inches long.

Advance auto parts carries this Gatorback serpentine belt for $ 38.00.