I was under the hood again this morning putting in my new tranny pan and i happen to see my serpentine belt (what is left of it) and I have to admit I was amazed> It was only 1/2 inch wide the whole length of the belt! "Alright, where is the other half?" I actually said out loud. I look down and it is wrapped around the fan and up against the fan clutch. I had to cut it off and now I will be getting a new belt tomorrow.:eek: I have no idea how long it was like that

Sounds exactly what I experienced about 5 years ago with either a Dayco or Gates belt. I later worked with a former engineer from one of those companies and he said the best belt you will find for your GM is the OEM belt, Goodyear comes in a close second.

I took his advise and currently have close to 50k on my last OEM belt. I was lucky to reach 10 or 15k with the other junk. I always buy my parts for a decent price from www.teamchev.com, so OEM belts are not much different than what a Gates costs.

I experienced the same 3x when my pullys got out of alignment 1/8". What happens is a cord in the belt will fray and then get wrapped on a pulley. Look close at it when the new belts running to make sure it's ok.

I hear what you're saying QM, but I haven't touched anything in the engine compartment in a while. That's why I was soooooo shocked

I'll second the quality of the belt is highly important arguement. (Assuming of course the idler tensioner, alignment, accessories, and pulleys are good.)

I read something somewhere that the 6.5 belt should be inspected and check regularly reguardless and more closely after 60,000 miles.

I have strectched out a cheap belt from autozone within 100 miles! The tackyness or grip of the back side is another sign of quality belt. The vaccum pump only has a small arc contact length on the back side of the belt.

Never get a Dayco, they don't fit, squeak and lengthen quickly! The best choice appears to be the OEM belt from Goodyear. They are supposed to last 100k, and I'm quite sure that they actually do.

Don't run a crappy belt, it's hard on all the bearings, and the engine doesn't run well with it. It makes quite a difference.

I don't have much luck with ACDelco (OEM) belts. I installed one for a customer, noted where the idler marker sat at idle, we took it for a test drive just around the block, and when we got back it was stretched outside the limit according to the tensioner arm.

I have had great experience with Goodyear Gatorback belts though.