I've read the best belt for 19% pulley thread. What I have in mind for this thread is slightly different.

I would like to ask for a non-track driven car, with either pulley, when should a belt replacement be planned ?

If people could devulge the mileage of there current belt after the pulley, that should gives some data to start from.
Mileage on stock belt, if it and when it failed, you now that kinda thing.
I read where Andy is replacing his belt every 5k, my car is likely much less stressed than his, just going back and fourth to work.

Reading how many people have blown a belt, it would seem unlikely to expect 100,000 miles from mine however. So, 15,000 ? 30,000 ? Any tips on what to look for as far as wear and tear might be useful for us less experienced types, as well. Thanks.

I have almost 8,000 miles on the stock belt after the pulley, nearly 14,000 in total.

 

33 viewers, no data, no flames about doing a better search ?

 

You are asking a question that has no definate answer. As you have read from the many other threads, there is no answer. Keep an eye on yours. I would expect to maybe get 20k street miles...maybe. I'll most likely change mine at 10k unless I see good wear qualities, ie no stretch/fray.


BTW, I only got 10k from a NAPA on my 15% before it started to shred. 2500 miles on the Goodyear, and it looks new.

 

I seem to be good at doing that.

Ok 10k, thanks. I somehow didn't realize it was going to be that often when doing the mod. Didn't know to ask apparently. I thought non pullied cars were 50+ thousand between belts, that was likely a false assumption as well. I would rather waste the money changing it too early than throw one. I know squat about where to lock for signs of stretching, so I will have to start searching for that. I haven't seen a how to on changing it either. If it needs replacing that often, I may want to invest in my own tool, or at least ask for some help before winter. Thanks.

 

I currently have....21,000 miles on my 19% pulley and belt. And I previously went 28k miles on the original stock belt - first 11k stock, next 17k with 15%. If you're not tracking the car, Eric doesn't feel that the belts should go. We looked at mine yesterday. The only sign of wear was that it was a bit shiny. I'm going back for a rear sway bar this summer and I'll probably have him change the belt just to be sure. But so far, 21k with my 19% and smaller NAPA belt.

 

When I said "maybe 20k miles", I was not indicating that this was the maximum expectancy. I would replace mine around that time "just in case". Under normal conditions the belt probably would last 50k + miles...but let's be real...we are not all normal!!! (especially some of us!)


Maybe I should add "new belt every 20k miles - $19.00" to my sig.

 

I totally understand what you were saying. I wasn't arguing or anything, just adding my "data". :smile:

 

4GAZM has 71k on his stock belt - 21k of which are with a 15% pulley, and his belt is in good condition (good tensioner positioning, no cracking on ribs, etc.)

Even so, I'd say 50k would be the safe measure for a non-tracked (or non-Dragon Slayer) MINI....half that mileage for abusive high RPM driving...just to be safe.

Stop being paranoid Gary - just drive the damn thing!

 

 

17k miles on 15% pulley and belt with no problems. Belt did not show any sign of problems.

 

About 16.5k on the stock pulley and belt, then changed to 15% pulley with the same belt. Now how another 3k miles on the car. Don't know what my belt looks like, what to look for, or how to change it.

 

I've posted this elsewhere, but this is what to look for...

My NAPA belt on a MM 15% for 10k miles:

 

The ribs are on the inside, if I remember correctly from my pulley install. So checking that will be difficult for me since I know nothing about changing the belt. Now the shredding on the side is something I can look for.

 

25,ooo miles on my car. about 1000 on a 15%. lots of "track", solo, dragon, and let see how fast we can go 3000 miles from home two states away from any dealer, miles no problem with the belt with no signs of wear yet. but once it looks like it should be replaced i will. if you start to see any thing haning from the belt, cracks, lines, and some times even really smooth it might be time to replace. it one of the low cost items that if you feel like replaceing do it. it cannot hurt. but everyones belts will be different due to driving style, mods, and LOCATION. heat, temp and other airborn waters and salts could have a big impact on the rubber the belt is made of. hope that helps.


the chad

 

You say fairly inexpensive... That doing it yoruself I assume? Wonder what a dealer charges for it. I'm not extremely handy with tools, so not sure I could change it myself.

 

Is the MINI engine an "interference" design, or a 'non-interference' design? I've heard those terms in regards to belts breaking during driving, and how if you have the interference kind of engine, you could do tons of damage to it when the belt breaks while driving... is this true? what exactly happens?

 

I was told my 1988 Prelude had an "impact" design. Maybe it was interference. I also had a timing belt break while driving. What I was told could happen, and I was lucky I was only doing 30 MPH at the time mine broke, is that valves will get bent to pieces, valve stems will snap and possibly other damage along those lines.

 

Don't worry. The Mini uses an internal timing chain which has nothing to do with the belt which drives the supercharger.

Some cars do use timing belts (in addition to S/C or accessory belts). When a timing belt breaks on an interference engine, the valves stop moving (because the timing belt drives the camshaft which moves the valves) but the pistons don't stop moving (because the engine's usually running when a timing belt breaks) and they collide (interfere) with the valves. It's ugly...

 

I'm the same...but I can't see the belt..I have 35,300 on my 03 and so far so good. I'll get this looked at this weekend.

Earl

 

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks everyone. I know feel confident enough to plan a pre-emptive change as well as visualy inspect the belt from time to time.
The last thing I was hoping to get was what to use as a refrence for stretching. I get the impression that there are marks or "Holes" that give a good reference on the tensioner or something ?
Since my belt has likely been removed, and readjusted twice now, stretching may not be measurable on mine using this method, but it would be nice to know for the next one.