How long should a belt on the engine last?

Question

I had the belt replaced that makes the alternator work about 2 months ago (Haven't driven it 500 miles). I was driving home from a convention yesterday and it broke- it was shredded- there was nothing there!!! Car was over heating, battery light on, the whole nine yards. Anyway- got the belt replaced and she's driving like a dream again. My question- How long do those belts last to begin with? and Should I go back to the folks who replaced it last time and give them an ear full? My husband has full intentions of doing that- but I want to make sure it's the right thing to do.

Further info: It's a 1996 Toyota Tercel. Has 104,900 miles. 99% of the time she purrs like a kitten.

Answer 1

That is very unusual for a belt to break after only five hundred miles. Either a used belt was installed or it was much too tight. A belt should be able to dip from 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch between pulleys.

Example: I drove a Toyota pick up for 85 thousand miles and never replaceD, what is now a Serpentine belt that drives everything.

I currenly drive a Toyota Tacoma six cylinders and the belt was replaced at 75 thousand because I was having the Timing belt replaced and they suggested replacing the Serpentine belt while it was taken off anyway. It was not bad at that time. I could probably give you a better answer if I knew the make and model year of the car.

It reminds me of the Chinese couple that had a baby with six toes. They named him: SUM TING WONG

Answer 2

drive belts usually last at least 30K miles or more. The general procedure for new belts is to install them, tighten to specs, drive for a week or so, and get them retightened.

New belts stretch a fair amount so they need to be readjusted. I can't imagine and alternator belt would cause the car to overheat, the water pump is connected to the timing belt.

Answer 3

it depends on how many miles are on it, I think 30,000 miles or when it breaks.