Why don't you bring in your stock belt have the auto parts store measure it and go from there. ed

 

Tim,

If you want to buy factory/OEM or have questions regarding factory/OEM parts, I'd recommend contacting Jackie, SubaruPartsGirl here on the forum. She's a forum supporting vendor & a parts wiz! Her direct number at Annapolis Subaru is (866) 509-3019.

Tell her you're a forum member, as she gives forum members a discount!

I live on the West Coast & there are local Subaru dealerships, but I prefer buy factory/OEM parts from Jackie. :wink:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

How do you know the Subaru belt is lower quality?

Does anybody know who makes the Subaru belts?

I have 73,000 miles on my original belt and it still looks to be in good shape...

 

Any squealing / chirping from the belt on a cold start. Mine just started making noise in the morning when it's really humid and I'm at ~60k miles. Considering ordering a replacement.

 

We're still running the original accessory belts on both our Foresters. :wink:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

We're still running the original accessory belts on both our Foresters. :wink:

Bobby...

Exactly the belt is good for 100K miles+. Changing these belts early is like the 3K mile oil change.

 

75.750 Inch

Incorrect! The Gates belt is 75.750 Inches. it should fit.

 

Incorrect! The Gates belt is 75.750 Inches. it should fit.

75.75 is outside circumference. 75.13 is effective length.

Either way, I ordered it and tried to put it on the car. It is too short by at least an inch. I'm not going to argue with you.

 

while true a bad analogy
as subaru required a 3750mile severe service oil change on my 2011.

 

I got to figure out why mine is squealing like crazy when it rains. The belt looks fine just not sure if it's a tension issue or a pulley. Either way at 56k the belt looks fine. I think most belts nowadays can last near 100k.

 

I got to figure out why mine is squealing like crazy when it rains. The belt looks fine just not sure if it's a tension issue or a pulley.

My vote is for tension issue. :wink:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

I appreciate the information re. life expectancy of the belt. Just trying to be proactive. I'd rather spend a few dollars then get stuck on the road.

Question still stands though. What's up with aftermarket belts part numbers and incorrect length, and what is the correct part?

-Tim-

 

what is the correct part?

I know one that fits for sure... the OEM Subaru belt.

 

Subaru belt (part number 809221200) is $29 on @Subaruonlineparts.com (one of our forum vendors). Jackie at Annapolis Subaru (forum vendor, @SubaruPartsGirl) could also get you a great discounted price if you call her, as Bobby recommended earlier.

You said in your first post that the Subaru belt was a lower quality, but I don't understand the reasoning behind that claim. I asked earlier, but that was ignored.

If you are looking for a replacement belt to save money, I can understand that. When people need to replace theirs, I am sure they will appreciate the information. That said, you have spent time and money trying to find a replacement belt far earlier than it is needed, making several trips to the auto parts store to buy and return belts that don't fit.

From what I can tell, you are the first person seeking aftermarket belts for this engine. Nobody on here has posted about it. On NASIOC, some people have switched to a lightweight pulley but are still running the original belt.

 

Automatic Tension Pulley

Did you release the tension on the Automatic tension pulley so the belt will fit? This pulley is the last pulley the belt is threaded around.

 

I keep my belts as loose as possible to minimumize wear of idler bearing and alternator bearing. I don't get any noise on startup. Having said that Both belts were just changed at 175K miles. They were previously changed out. So if you feel better, change them and again keep tension lower rather than tighter.