MerCruiser V-Belts

According to belt manufacturers, failure rates rise sharply after 3 years of service. V-Belts usually should be inspected for wear after 3 years or 30-40,000 miles of use.

According to belt manufacturers, failure rates rise sharply after 3 years of service. Replacing V-belts every 3-4 years can minimize the risk of sudden belt failure. Most cars on the road today have only one belt, a V-belt. V-belts are used because of their ability to wedge tightly into the grooves of the pulley. There are three common V belt types: Classical V-belt (classified by their dimensions from A to E), Narrow V series (classified by their dimensions 3V, 5V, and 8V), and light duty Fractional Horsepower belt (classified by their dimensions 2L, 3L, 4L, 5L). V-belts are the oldest, most commonly used power transmission belt style in the industry. A V-belt is so called because of the shape of their cross section which is actually a little trapezoidal for you geometry fans. A V-belt is a rubber belt used for driving mechanisms in an engine such as the fans or water pump. A v-belt is a flexible machine element used to transmit power between a set of grooved pulleys or sheaves. V-belts are made from rubber or synthetic rubber stocks, so they have the flexibility to bend around the sheaves in drive systems. Fabric materials of various kinds may cover the stock material to provide a layer of protection and reinforcement. Replacing V-belts every 3-4 years can minimize the risk of sudden belt failure. This creates higher friction between the surfaces which reduces slip and power loss. The "V" shape of the belt tracks in a mating groove in the pulley (or sheave), with the result that the belt cannot slip off.