Be Aware- Being sent the wrong size Serpentine Belt

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 28 Mar 2009, 13:51

I ordered a serpentine belt for my 850 and after it got here I thought nothing to try to make it fit- over 3 hours. I had heard it could be a tight fit so I didn't fret... Anyway, finally when I looked on the package, I noticed that I had size 6PK 1740 when I was suppose to be sent size 6PK 1743...in other words it was 3mm too short. I finally went to my local AutoZone- got a Gatorback belt- not crazy about it but it works. The #1740 size will not fit and so make sure of your size before you waste several hours of your precious time like I did. The new belt went on in 5 minutes.

Post by **matthew1** » 28 Mar 2009, 14:25

Ahem.

There's two lengths for the 850. Be aware of this when you order...

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/serpentine_belt.php

Sorry about your wasted time, that's never a fun thing. But glad you got it sorted, Dave.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 28 Mar 2009, 16:34

Thanks Matt! ...yes there are two sizes...depends on how you route it. Before '95 I believe all Volvo's came with the shorter belt- what AutoZone and others have in their database, but Volvo came out with a re-routing of the belt and said that all should use the longer belt as it makes more contact with the Alternator...so although there are two sizes, it's best to use the new routing and get the longer belt- #1743 and not #1623...and this goes for all 850's from '93 on up as well as on the '98 x70's, but not sure of '99's and beyond.

In my case, I ordered the longer #1743 but was sent a #1740 which was 3mm too short to go over/around the idler roller. At 190+K miles I had the shorter belt on mine to begin with (looked like the original belt) and it was cracked and in poor shape and could have snapped at any moment. I'm glad to get it replaced.

Btw, I also changed oil, did an engine degreasing, did a drain and fill of transmission fluid and power steering fluid. Tomorrow I'm going to tackle the rear brakes and try to get the squeak back there taken care of. After that I'll clean the throttle body and tackle the EGR cleaning. Finally, I'll use some touch-up paint on a couple of spots and then I suppose I'll be ready to call the insurance company to put this car on our plan and roll with her!

Post by **Matty Moo** » 28 Mar 2009, 20:08

The last belt I bought (Dayco), had a diagram with both routing positions on the sleeve it came in. My old belt routed one way, the newer belt another.

jakeizchillin · Post by **jakeizchillin** » 11 Apr 2009, 21:55

I was also given the wrong size belt by Pep Boys for my 1993 850 GLT. I believe it was a 1625, and it was a real pain to put on. The 1743 size was the correct one. I asked them to revisit their database, but I'm sure I was ignored.