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Timing Belt: Autozone vs. OEM

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No_Skillz

15+ Year Contributor
2,759
26
Dec 8, 2004
Freehold/Morris, New_Jersey
I have here in my hand one Autozone timing belt and one OEM timing belt. I have read that Autozone belts are rebranded belts from a company called Gates. Doing some more digging, I've found nothing but good reviews on Gates' belts on many types of cars, not just DSMs.

Just some quick observations with the two side by side:
Gates' belt is overall thicker.
Gates' belt has a thicker cable sandwich.
Gates' belt teeth have more robust grooves.
Gates' rubber is more of a hard rubber where OEM is plasticky.
Gates' was hella less expensive.
I want to use Autozone/Gates over OEM.

I would like to get the opinions of other people who have USED Autozone/Gates belts.

(On the same note I am also using Autozone inner and outter tie rods. Quality from visual inspection, feel, and heft surpasses that of OEM. I currently have ~1000 miles on these.)

And no, I don't work for Autozone.
 
Mike, I had one on my 1991 TSi FWD in the past -- had no problems with it.

Personally, I like spending the extra money on a known quality belt such as OEM or aftermarket (power enterprise), but that depends on your choice of where the money should go.

Try it, if it pops, well then write up a technical article or product feedback thread to show us your experiences.
 
I have a Gates timing belt on my car. No problems yet.

*knocks on wood*
 
Try it, if it pops, well then write up a technical article or product feedback thread to show us your experiences.

Or, if it works, write a thread on your product feedback and experience.

I meant that as well! :D

Yah, I'd much prefer the latter as well. :)

If it's as good as I think it is, a writeup might be a few years in the coming since I'm def going to run it to 50k+ miles to see how it holds up. Or, I might abort early if I see signs of premature failure and wear.

I guess I'll be a hypocrite in the next few years since I'll want to run without a timing belt cover so I can keep a constant eye on it. Everyone, do as I say, not as I do!
 
I'm convinced you can't buy a "bad" timing belt. It's not a product that can just be "knocked-off" like a waterpump with a cheap bearing/seal cassette. If a manufacturer is going through the effort of going into timing belt production, it's a quality product.
 
I'm convinced you can't buy a "bad" timing belt. It's not a product that can just be "knocked-off" like a waterpump with a cheap bearing/seal cassette. If a manufacturer is going through the effort of going into timing belt production, it's a quality product.

Interesting thought. I had just assumed that knocking off a timing belt would be alot easier than a turbo or something.
 
i have a Napa timing belt on my car right now, i chose the Napa belt over the OEM for the reasons the OP stated in the first thread. most of the time you can tell if a product was cheaply made, belts are a little harder but a fine attention to detail and you can notice a good Timing Belt.
 
I run a dayco timing belt on my car for now. I just change it more often, say once per year, just to make sure, but I put on about 25kmiles/year anyways. When I get a built motor or head or start making real power I'll just get a greddy timing belt.
 
I've been in the auto parts business for over 10 years now. You'd be surprised how many companies will build parts for another company and relabel them. Wix makes NAPA filters, Peak sells AntiFreeze under a cheaper brand called "All Weather".

I wouldn't doubt for a second that Gates or Dayco manufactures belts then relabels them for store brands. The question here would be when you buy an Autozone belt, are you getting a true Gates quality belt, or is the rubber softer or have they done something else to cut corners and keep costs low.
 
..and NAPA belts are made by GATES... and I love the NAPA Gold oil filters.

I would only say if one uses anything outside of OEM, I would recommend a more shorter belt changeout frequency - like 30 to 40k miles instead of the OEM of 60k.

-DSM
 
ok I have worked at a chrysler dealer and have intalled a timing belt from autozone the belt from other supplyers the mitsu belt is much beter than anything else, other than spending the big dollars on a kevlar belt wich I personaly recomend especialy if you plan on any hp mods. I have broken several belts I even had a mitsu belt get half worn and still work (when i say half worn the belt was half as wide as normal due to a bent pully).

dsm1g90 I agree with that but I say that for stock as well I have seen many break right at 60,000 also wihile you have it down make sure to change the water pump!! youll regeret it if you dont. I will go out shortly and you will have to take it back down
 
also while you have it down, make sure to change the water pump!! you'll regret it if you don't.
Yep, did that all with the last belt changeout 4k miles ago - all pulleys, adjuster and the pump. Interestingly enough, of all of the other belt changeouts I've done on other makes of motors, this is the only one make that the pump replacement is highly recommended when doing belt changeouts.

thx - DSM
 
My Timing belt is from Autozone as a matter of fact all my parts from the rebuild in my engine are from Autozone and from personal experience I do like them, I beat on my car a lot and always take it to the max and non of those parts have failed on me. "Knock on wood as stated above" like this afternoon on my way to work I tapped it at 135 and thats something I do on almost a daily basis and not racing just driving and there is no leaks on gasket or other parts malfunctioning.
 
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