Has anyone had experience changing their serpentine belt & tensioner? How many miles? Has anyone had one break or be obviously worn? I am at 103,000 and mine looks to be in good shape, but I am concidering replacing it. Thanks for any info.
Anyone had experience changing their serpentine belt & tensioner? How many miles?
eiching1
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Has anyone had experience changing their serpentine belt & tensioner? How many miles? Has anyone had one break or be obviously worn? I am at 103,000 and mine looks to be in good shape, but I am concidering replacing it. Thanks for any info.
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I mean you don't technically have to replace it until it is making noise. I had mine done when i had my timing belt done at 130,000. And even then it was probably fine but I thought why not just have them do it while they are in there and then I won't have to worry about it for a while. You said it is in good shape so that means it is not all cracked up. If that is the case then you are probably fine. If you really want to replace it then go ahead, at least that way you will have some piece of mind. It is a pretty simple job.
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Replace the belt when the belt looks like it needs replacing.
There are two things that can go bad in a tensioner. The tensioning spring/pivot mechanism can twist and get out of alignment. The bearing in the pulley can dry out. If the spring/pivot goes bad your belt will break. If the pulley bearing dries out you'll hear it. If the tensioner is smooth and not bouncing around fuhgetaboutit.
I replaced the tensioner/pulley setup on two Accords at the same time and both were still perfectly fine. I saved the pulleys because the bearings were still like brand new.
There are two things that can go bad in a tensioner. The tensioning spring/pivot mechanism can twist and get out of alignment. The bearing in the pulley can dry out. If the spring/pivot goes bad your belt will break. If the pulley bearing dries out you'll hear it. If the tensioner is smooth and not bouncing around fuhgetaboutit.
I replaced the tensioner/pulley setup on two Accords at the same time and both were still perfectly fine. I saved the pulleys because the bearings were still like brand new.
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The good thing about the serpentine belt is, if it breaks while you're driving, you just lose electrical power, a/c and power steering. You may have to coast to the shoulder. You'll be running on battery power for those few seconds.
It's not an expensive failure, like a broken timing belt is.
I think the 9th gens have electric power steering - can you still steer the car when they lose power?
It's not an expensive failure, like a broken timing belt is.
I think the 9th gens have electric power steering - can you still steer the car when they lose power?
Yes, you can still steer, but it will take a lot more effort to turn the steering wheel. So get safely off the road and park ASAP.
IIRC, there was a Honda "update" to reduce the amount of extra effort needed to turn the wheel in that situation on some Gen 9 Accords. I have a Gen 9.5 ('16) which didn't have the issue so it was probably for some/all Gen 9.0 models ('13-'15).
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Haven't tried it myself, but you should be able to continue driving without an alternator functioning for around an hour. I wonder if the electric power steering would work off battery though.
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I have seen these OEM (Bando) belts from Honda go a very, very long time.. replace with a good brand or leave the original which will outlast a cheap replacement. Honda automatic tensioners rarely fail. Compared to other manufacturers which seem to go at 120k like clockwork. Put your $ elsewhere
Waiting for chance of failure to lose power on the road is dangerous. My cars lose parts as I drive so have no room to judge.
Waiting for chance of failure to lose power on the road is dangerous. My cars lose parts as I drive so have no room to judge.
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I thought the 9th gen Accord has electric power steering so not driven by a belt pump anymore.
Just did our on a I-4, 2015 EX-L, at 95,000 mi. I used a Gates kit available at Rock Auto for about $110-125. The kit included the tensioner and belt, both being very good quality. I have used the Gates kits in other vehicles and all have worked very well. OEM Honda parts are also a good way to go. Yep, my OEM tensioner was starting to show signs of a dry bearing when compared to the new one.
Generally, I change the belt and tensioner (and idler pulley if installed, but not on the I-4 Accord) at 100,000 miles on all our cars. True the OEM parts might last to 200,000 mi. if I'm lucky. I would rather not go that route. Others might say replace the belt and tensioner when the water pump goes out at approx.125,000-150,000 mi. I just find it a simple job that gives me peace of mind.
Generally, I change the belt and tensioner (and idler pulley if installed, but not on the I-4 Accord) at 100,000 miles on all our cars. True the OEM parts might last to 200,000 mi. if I'm lucky. I would rather not go that route. Others might say replace the belt and tensioner when the water pump goes out at approx.125,000-150,000 mi. I just find it a simple job that gives me peace of mind.
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I change belts at 100k mi. Fairly easy to change a belt. Tensioners last at least 200k mi. Great idea to replace them both at 200k mi.
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I replaced the original belt at 102,000 miles, using the OEM Bando belt bought thru Rock Auto for like $15 or so. Wasn't expensive. May have used my Harbor Freight $15 serpentine belt tool to change it, but then again I may have been able to do the job without it. Easy peasy job. Just do it. It's called "preventive maintenance" for a reason.
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2013 EXL V6 owner here (33,346 miles as of 10/4/2024)
I had my timing belt done and serpentine belt done in Jan 2022 at 25k miles. I would just do them both at the same time for peace of mind. If the serpentine belt breaks,a/c, alternator, etc., go out. If the timing belt goes out (V6 only), goodbye engine. If you have an inline 4, it's a timing chain and so long as you keep fresh oil in there (change it no more than every 5k, to hell with the maintenance minder), it should last at least 300k miles.
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