V belts

[sailfree20770]

Has anyone found a reliable cross reference for Yanmar belts. I suspect they would be available from many auto parts stores if one only knew the correct specs, or had a cross reference to a commonly available brand.

I have a Yanmar 3JH2E engine, and a previous owner replaced the belt with a Gates 9447. I suspect that's not quite right, as the belt doesn't fit all the way down into the pulleys. Also, the alternator is at the short end of the range of adjustment. Not having the original Yanmar belt to work with, I can't be sure I have the right size.

 

[Steve Dion]

Why not order the OEM belt from Yanmar?

 

[woodster]

sounds like the only thing wrong with the gates belt is it is to long maybe 1 inch ...they are not supposed to set all the way down in the pulley/sheave should be a little proud of the flanges not much but some ....

it must be an A belt to fit the pulley iirc

 

[Dave602]

I was told by an old Yanmar mechanic that the pulley "V" is metric and the angle isn't the same as automotive belts. While they will work it can cause premature wear and dust.

 

[markwesti]

I to have this problem , and thanks Dave , I never considered the mm thing . here is where I get belts . Type in metric v belts .
http://www.mcmaster.com/#v-belts/=swbdlz

 

[Scott B]

I always use these guys for good reference, and you're in their sales region.

If I'm correct, your alt belt is $15

http://shop.toadmarinesupply.com/ma...lude&contentsection=yanmar&contentname=engine

 

[Warren Milberg]

One reason not to use Yanmar belts is that they are of distinctly poorer quality than Gates....

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

One reason not to use Yanmar belts is that they are of distinctly poorer quality than Gates....

I'll second that.

Ever since I changed out my belts to Gates, there's not a trace of belt dust around and I'm back to preparing meals on top of the engine block.

 

[John Nantz]

Ralph -

Ever since I changed out my belts to Gates, there's not a trace of belt dust around and I'm back to preparing meals on top of the engine block.

WoW! I'm impressed.

When I used to work in the woods we would often put, say, a can of beans, on the engine block or in the engine compartment for something warm for lunch. Never tried fried eggs, though.

Carried this over to boat cruising and my wife often do something like that, especially on our Alaska cruise. Needed to conserve stove fuel too, plus after a long leg and anchoring the dinner was ready to go.

Man, that sure looks clean.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Ralph, whether he knows this or not, has just volunteered to do my engine room. What time, Ralph?

 

[ggrizzard]

Ralph, you bought your boat when in July 2014?

 

[sailfree20770]

I thought another sailor would have found a cross reference chart or something.

What I was looking for is a cross reference for Yanmar belts to Gates or NAPA or some other commonly available brand, because...
1. It's way easier to just stop at the local auto parts store than ordering and waiting a week.
2. As Warren noted, there are probably better quality belts available.
3. Yanmar parts are typically more money, and there's shipping to pay. Now admitttedly these are not really that much. My local dealer said it would be about $16 for the Yanmar belt. But why pay more than necessary, especially if better belts are available?
4. I assumed the correct belt was metric. That's why I want to replace what I have. The previous owner got one that was "close enough". Being too wide it doesn't fit low enough in the pulleys, effectively making it a little short. And as Dave noted the vee angle may not be quite right.

The Yanmar manuals don't list sizes, as there's no incentive for them to do that.
I'll order the Yanmar belt and measure it. Thereafter, if it can be cross referenced by size. It's doubtful that Yanmar has these specially manufactured just for their engines. They probably use standard metric sizes.

Just seems better to know how to get generic parts vs always having to go with Yanmar.

 

[Gunni]

Good luck finding any good parts or cross-over listings from Yanmar. They farm these kinds of owner support tasks to a network of distributors, of variable competence and then vigorously enforce regional distributor territories. It is a miserable business model from the end user perspective.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

Keep in mind that this is a standard metric v-belt for a diesel engine, not a space shuttle life support system.

If this was 'grandma's tractor' she'd pull the belt (maybe) and head on down to a hardware or farm supplies store to find one 'that works'.

For less than 10 bux...

 

[kloudie1]

I agree, Gunni..
but.. I am lucky that our regional guys are outstanding in their service and friendly and only a few miles from my slip..Laborde Power Products.. http://labordeproducts.com/marine-products

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

What time, Ralph?

Uhhhhh ....................... let me check my dance card and get back to you.

Haven't been down to Frisco in decades and have many fond memories. Maybe I'll come down and "survey" the job for a week or so if you provide the accommodations.

 

[RichH]

Gates Vee belts are among the best on the planet for longevity and power transfer, especially the high quality 'top cog' series for use on small engines. Gates also make vee-belts for NAPA ..... so take your Yanmar (private branded) vee belt off and take it to a NAPA shop and let them do the sizing and ID; but, insist on 'top quality' Gates (NAPA) built to METRIC vee belt profiles.
Let them do the proper cross matching for 'metric profile' Yanmar belts ... they should have the cross-reference data on hand / under the counter and should be able to special order if they dont stock such.

Here's another way if you have the Yanmar part number: http://www.gates.com/all-search-tools/automotive-interchange-search-results

 

[Gunni]

Keep in mind that this is a standard metric v-belt for a diesel engine, not a space shuttle life support system. If this was 'grandma's tractor' she'd pull the belt (maybe) and head on down to a hardware or farm supplies store to find one 'that works'. For less than 10 bux...

That is what you do when you have a car, a road, and a thumb...when you go offshore - no.

 

[Nom De Guerre]

That is what you do when you have a car, a road, and a thumb...when you go offshore - no.

Given the context of the OP, actually, that's exactly what you can do.

Nobody is offshore, that I've read.

It goes without saying, it's a standard v-belt, not a super-duper marinized, unobtanium-coated, Vendée Globe special spec belt.

But I've said it anyway.

:-D

 

[John Nantz]

Change the pulleys?

After reading all the posts it's almost sounding like "Plan B" might be an easier option - i.e., changing all the pulleys!