Oil and Belts - Can They mix?
Discussion
I have a small oil leak (drip) at the front of the engine (surprise, surprise, although it's from my XJ6 and not the TVR!).
While having the brakes worked on at a new (for me) garage, I was advised that the belts were old and cracked so I had them replaced. Then 45 days later, the ribbed serpentine belt failed - with no squealing or warning. The garage replaced it for free but blamed it on my "massive" oil leak and refuses to warranty their work further.
Does a little oil cause belts to fail and/or is there any difference between the durability of a traditional V belt and a modern ribbed belt?
Since most of the cars I've owned leaked something at one time or another, I think I'm smelling an urban legend or a bad mechanic but thought I'd check with my betters... Thanks Grady
While having the brakes worked on at a new (for me) garage, I was advised that the belts were old and cracked so I had them replaced. Then 45 days later, the ribbed serpentine belt failed - with no squealing or warning. The garage replaced it for free but blamed it on my "massive" oil leak and refuses to warranty their work further.
Does a little oil cause belts to fail and/or is there any difference between the durability of a traditional V belt and a modern ribbed belt?
Since most of the cars I've owned leaked something at one time or another, I think I'm smelling an urban legend or a bad mechanic but thought I'd check with my betters... Thanks Grady
As a general rule oil is very bad for rubber components, and their position isn't completely unreasonable imo. Whether traces of oil would cause the belt to fail so quickly is hard to say, but you'd have to expect the oil to do some harm and very hard to prove that it wasn't the cause.
Personally - I don't tink the oil would cause it to fail so quickly - as there is also nylon in the belt to give it strength but oil would make it softer ..
Just ask Adam - he seems an expert on baby oil
Don't personally feel an item like this is worth an argument over.. after all - oil on a belt is not good..
Just ask Adam - he seems an expert on baby oil
Don't personally feel an item like this is worth an argument over.. after all - oil on a belt is not good..
Edited by rev-erend on Tuesday 17th July 22:21
Interesting - I checked the belts and - after a week plus - there is no evidence of oil on them. There is a nice growth of old oil (mostly below the crank pulley) on the leading face of the block but it's certainly not splashing around the engine room.
I'm thinking the first belt was defective (or I've run out of oil - not)
I'm thinking the first belt was defective (or I've run out of oil - not)
Gassing Station | Wedges | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff