Serpentine Belt, Gates Premium Vs. Continental Elite

Been having some squealing issues on damp days with my 2013 4L Tacoma, narrowed it down to the belt and not any of the pulleys. The belt has 60K on it, it's been squealing on damp startup since probably 25K then goes away once it's warmed up. The belt is still in decent shape, but I did a few tests to confirm the belt was the culprit.

Anyhow, I've read some reviews for belts and the Continental Elite (formally the goodyear gatorback) has popped up as a belt specifically designed to prevent squealing in vehicles that are notorious for it (like the tacoma). Anyone use it? I did see some reviews of people shredding them on other vehicles so that was offputting, which really is why i'm posting this thread.

All the research on tacomaworld i've done, people point towards the Gates premium belt as being the one more people use for their replacement. I guess the stock belts are junk, from what i've read. It's still the same design as the factory belt so i'm wondering this this belt will also start squealing in no time?

What do people suggest? I'm leaning toward the Continental because the squealing is the main thing i'm trying to prevent.

 

My factory belt went 100,000 miles and was still working fine when I replaced it due to age/mileage. I think it was a Dayco belt. I don't think that "stock belts are junk" -- the life of a serpentine belt depends on a number of factors. I would be willing to use just about any reputable brand, so long as it's made of EPDM (this material tends to last a very long time).

Sounds like the Continental will serve your purpose fine for reducing squeals.

 

I've never seen a stock Asian belt that was junk. All of mine have gone well over 100K. Driving habits + where and how a vehicle is used contribute heavily to how long a vehicles components hold up.

 

OP....sure you didn't spill some oil on it changing the oil filter? It sounds like you may have gotten something on the belt that is causing it to squeal. Like others have stated, the stock belt has served me well. It didn't look damaged but I replaced it due to miles/age too. I keep it behind the rear seats in case the new one ever decides it's time has come. Always good to have a spare to get you home out on the trail.

 

The stock belts definitely served me well considering I have 60K on it, and like I mentioned it still looks to be in good shape it just sequels in the morning's when it's damp from condensation and it's done that since almost new. Once it's warmed up it's fine for the rest of the day, unless is super humid it may do it again after it sat for a few hours. Never has done it in the winter when it's dry out. Nothing's gotten on it, and it's been doing this for well over a year.

I've read of people switching to a new factory belt and the squealing eventually came back in a short amount of time, which is what i'm trying to avoid if i'm going to put a new belt on. This issue seems to be well documented, but not much on what belts people switch to.

Initially I thought it was the lower idler bearing but I ruled that out with a water test I read about. Started the truck up this morning and it was squealing from the dampness, I squirted a little water on the most exposed pulley/belt and the sound went away for a few seconds then came back, repeated and it went away again then came back --> the belt. If it was a pulley it would have squealed the whole time as I was spraying the water. Apparently the symptom is alignment and the edges of the belt against the pulleys is what makes the squeaking sound, and supposedly the Continental belt is specifically designed to fix that. Wondering if anyone else uses them....

 

Stock went 100,000 miles so I replaced with stock. Replaced it when I had a slight squeal at startup.

 

OP, Did you ever fix this issue? My 2013 is doing the exact same thing and I cant decide on which belt to purchase. Thanks!

 

I replaced mine as preventative maintenance around 120k miles with a bando. No issues.

 

Did you have the same issues as the OP?

Dayco is the OEM belt used and is what's causing my same issue as the OP.

 

Sorry I replaced mine with a bando belt and no issues. I had no issues with the OEM belt either.

 

Where do you guys purchase said belts from? Or head to the nearest Autozone and call it a day?

 

I think I ordered the bando belt from Amazon. Your local place should have options too

 

For what it's worth I did end up putting in the continential elite belt, no noise for a good 6 months but very rarely lately as its been really damp it'l chirp for a second or two on startup then stop. Overall been very happy with it.

 

Crazy late comment here, but do you have any updates to this? I’m having the same issue with my 2013, so I’ve been searching through old threads. I have replaced the belt with a Dayco and it made no difference. Did the Continental Elite belt continue working for you? Or did you replace with a different belt since then? Read good reviews on Bando belts too..

Thanks!!

 

Replaced with a GATES Belt here at 60,000 miles and never ever had a noise at all ! I am at 107,000 miles now on that GATES Belt on my 2013 V6 Tacoma.

 

I recently ordered a belt online from Conicelli Toyota and they sent me a Bando. Not sure what stock brand is currently on vehicle. 73k and ten years still going no issues.

 

Same here. Changed to a bando at 100k. I’m pretty sure bando makes the oem belt, the packaging was exactly the same.

 

The continental elite belt is still perfect.

The only time it will make any noise is on the wettest most humid morning's of the summer and only for a few revolutions. The factory belt made a ton of noise all the time.

 

So I’ve replaced my belt to the Bando and so far all my belt squeals are fixed!! We’ve had plenty of rain this week and so far not the first squeak. We’ll see how long it lasts.

 

My mechanic is replacing mine tomorrow and will be installing the continental. He says it’s a great belt and has never had any problems with them. That’s good enough for me.