Gates timing belt???? Anybody know the quality of these?

[-DSM2NR-]

It's time to replace my timing belt. I got a "Gates" timing belt from O'Reillys. Does anybody know what the quality of these is?

 

[Pure92TSi]

I don't know about the "Gates" but i do know that Gatorback (manufactured by Goodyear) from auto zone is a good belt. I have serveral buddies making over 400 hp on these belts with no problem. And they are only about 30 bucks.

 

[laser8822]

If i'm not mistaken, Gates are the OEM belts used. When I replaced the timing belt on my Tiburon, the original was a gates and it still looked pretty good after 70k. I am putting a Gates on my Laser also.

 

[DSMcrazy3]

Gates is a well known trusted brand of belt, I'm speaking of accessory belts though, I'm not sure if that's the OEM for timing or not. I would call a dealer and ask.

 

[gotlag]

I can answer that my local dealer completly confirmed that the OEM belt is Gates, and if they are out of stock it is the only belt there are authorized to obtain via an outside purchase to complete a job in the service department.

 

[Steve_P]

my first timing belt replacement, prob 1995, I used a Gates. In less than 30K miles it was cracking and I changed it out. I can't speak for Goodyear, but I have only used the Mitsu belts since then. OE timing belts in 1G DSMs with 4G63 were not Gates they were Mitsuboshi (not a typo).

 

[BaddAssGst]

Yeah, gates isn't an OEM part for a timing belt. Gatorback belts are garbage as well and I've seen them stretch after 5k miles of use. For a job like a timing belt, go with OEM parts. It's not that expensive, especially if you go through JNZ tuning.

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

Since I can remember, and that's a long time. I've never had a failure of a Gates belt other than when an idler pulley seized and burned it in two.

I trust them implicity.

 

[gotlag]

Just as a quick reply, I of course was only repeating what the dealer explained to me, as well as what I have observed. Not to get on any other manufactures, but gates and dealer (Mitsiboshi among others as contract are made) are the only belts I have seen that seated correctly on the teeth of Mitsubishi timing teeth. Look at others, and you will see the difference. I also have never had a failure with a Gates belt on many high end Mitsubishi engines (2.0's, 3.0's, 3.5's). And yes Gates is a large supplier to the OE market as well as is Dayco.
Of course use dealer as much as possible on our cars, I stand behind that and always will, but there are even technical service bulletins that specify to only use dealer supplied and/or Gates belts due to the misalignment of timing teeth.

I will agree with "Old Mitsu Tech"---"I trust them implicity."

Be much more worried with your tensioner, and you will be alot less worried about your belt.

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

Just as a quick reply, I of course was only repeating what the dealer explained to me, as well as what I have observed. Not to get on any other manufactures, but gates and dealer (Mitsiboshi among others as contract are made) are the only belts I have seen that seated correctly on the teeth of Mitsubishi timing teeth. Look at others, and you will see the difference. I also have never had a failure with a Gates belt on many high end Mitsubishi engines (2.0's, 3.0’s, 3.5’s). And yes Gates is a large supplier to the OE market as well as is Dayco.
Of course use dealer as much as possible on our cars, I stand behind that and always will, but there are even technical service bulletins that specify to only use dealer supplied and/or Gates belts due to the misalignment of timing teeth.

I will agree with "Old Mitsu Tech"---"I trust them implicity."

Be much more worried with your tensioner, and you will be alot less worried about your belt.

I agree. I am always more concerned about the auto tensioner than I ever was the belt. If you don't replace it, or you set it wrong, it will look good when you put it together and very soon, it runs out of adjustment, or just can't hold the belt tension properly and then you become a hard luck story in here. We sincerely want you to be a success story. I hate giving bad news. I will write a bunch to prevent a hard luck story.

Good Luck

 

[Boostedexcel]

How can you set the auto tensioner wrong? isnt it like a one shot deal; take it out, compress it, put the belt on, put auto tensioner back and take out allen wrench or whatever else you use to keep compressed....I dont really understand how you can really adjust it.

 

[Mist3r Spool]

Stick with OEM, it's been proven to work just fine. For example, I did my first timing belt change on my GS-T with 130K on the timing components...Scary, I know. I wish I had the same luck with my tranny. Anyway, long story short, either I was extremely lucky or the OEM stuff just works great...my buddies have had the same experiences and we ALL beat on our cars. The only timing component that looked really bad, when I changed the components, was the balance shaft belt-it was cracking badly. If you haven't already you may want to consider removing the b-shafts, it took me a full day but it's worth the peace of mind, extra oil pressure, plus about 10whp, not to mention the fact I can swap my timing belt in about an hour now! Again, stick with OEM!!!!!

www.slowboyracing.com <---Get your stuff here for cheap!

 

[jepherz]

How can you set the auto tensioner wrong? isnt it like a one shot deal; take it out, compress it, put the belt on, put auto tensioner back and take out allen wrench or whatever else you use to keep compressed....I dont really understand how you can really adjust it.

There are two things that control the tension of the timing belt, the tensioner (the pulley with the two holes in it) and the auto tensioner. If you set the tensioner all out of whack, then the auto tensioner has limited travel. Say you set your tensioner to the loose extreem, that means the auto tensioner has to make up for that slack right off the bat. If the belt stretches at all, it won't be able to compensate any further.

I don't know about gates, but I do know I will never trust anything from autozone or the likes. I will either go OEM or take some other brands into consideration. I am running an OE belt on one of my cars and a Contitech on the other. We'll see how they both hold up!

 

[Boostedexcel]

Can you buy the "Gates" brand belt at any auto part store like Pep boys, autozone, etc..? also how much do they usually run? sorry for the stupid questions...

 

[gotlag]

You can pick up Gates at most of the better part stores, just be sure to specify that is what you want. They are more expensive than others, so alot of times counter people just grab their off name stuff and try to sell it.

 

[Mist3r Spool]

What's the deal with "Gates" brand timing belts, are they supposed to be cheaper and still reliable or something? I spent a good amount of time researching the t-belt swap and only came across one other brand I would've used (if it was in stock) which was the Power Enterprise (PE). I paid about $300 for a OEM Mitsubishi timing belt, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley, auto tensioner, water pump, & balance shaft eliminator kit...that's pretty cheap IMO.

 

[payup]

I use this website http://www.autopartsauthority.com/replacement/ they have a huge selection of OEM parts as well as any other part you can think of, and they have free shipping, and its real cheap prices as I can tell.

Mist3r Spool, wow 130k on original timing components. Now that is impresive IMO.

 

[gotlag]

I can only speak for myself, but for some of us it is a matter of availability, cost and reliability. There is also a "comfort zone" involved in building engines, or servicing them. I use Gates for allot of vehicles, and never do I have a concern for the reliability of the part. That is the "comfort zone" I am talking about. And yes it does save a little $$$, it is SUPER available, never have to wait for it, just walk in and carry out.

Basically, I was just responding to his original question,” I got a "Gates" timing belt from O'Reillys. Does anybody know what the quality of these is?” Yes it is a top notch belt; don't have any fears in using it.

 

[Mist3r Spool]

I use this website http://www.autopartsauthority.com/replacement/ they have a huge selection of OEM parts as well as any other part you can think of, and they have free shipping, and its real cheap prices as I can tell.

Mist3r Spool, wow 130k on original timing components. Now that is impresive IMO.

Yep, I just didn't have the time to get to it. I was soo paranoid, I checked the t-belt almost every other day (for cracks,etc. which isn't really detectable unless it's off the car). I'm glad I did-when I did because as I mentioned above, the b-shaft belt was cracking badly. Besides the bshaft belt, everything seemed fine...not even a single crack or bad wear on the t-belt! Good thing I dumped the b-shafts-a bit of a pain in the ass without good tools but well worth the effort!

 

[Mist3r Spool]

I can only speak for myself, but for some of us it is a matter of availability, cost and reliability. There is also a "comfort zone" involved in building engines, or servicing them. I use Gates for allot of vehicles, and never do I have a concern for the reliability of the part. That is the "comfort zone" I am talking about. And yes it does save a little $$$, it is SUPER available, never have to wait for it, just walk in and carry out.

Basically, I was just responding to his original question,” I got a "Gates" timing belt from O'Reillys. Does anybody know what the quality of these is?” Yes it is a top notch belt; don't have any fears in using it.

So I guess the moral of the story here is basically to go ahead and pick up a Gates belt, as it's been proven to work just fine plus with the added benefit of availability and better pricing. Just don't forget to ensure every other timing component is within proper specs and that the t-belt is swapped every 60K...right?

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

What's the deal with "Gates" brand timing belts, are they supposed to be cheaper and still reliable or something? I spent a good amount of time researching the t-belt swap and only came across one other brand I would've used (if it was in stock) which was the Power Enterprise (PE). I paid about $300 for a OEM Mitsubishi timing belt, timing belt tensioner, idler pulley, auto tensioner, water pump, & balance shaft eliminator kit...that's pretty cheap IMO.

Cheaper? I buy Gates belts because I want to drive my car not work on it. Like I said before, I trust them implicity. That's my opinion for what it's worth.

 

[adidas_coin]

According to Gates they make the power enterprise belts. but is it the same belt or a step down from the power enterprise belt, kinda like the scenario where gm made the Chevette and the Corvette.

 

[spectr019]

well if it's any consellation, I have gates racing radiator hoses. I was very very impressed with how they are built (minus the 'gates racing' name and logo being upside down They only make a few products (the radiator hoses came with a brochure of their products), but I'd rather use a company that specialized in a few pieces than a group that makes a ton of things only at mediocre quality.

Ben