Serpentine Belt ?

[Harley Harrold]

The serpentine belt on my 2007 5.7L HEMI still looks good, no unusual wear, and no cracks. She has a little over 105K miles, so I went and purchased a new belt, a tensioner, & both idler pulleys, but now I am not sure if I should give it more time and miles before replacing the parts. The job would be fairly easy since there isn't any radiator cowling, or engine powered fan/clutch, so plenty of room. I am 74 years young, and do my own maintenance on both my truck & my 2007 Harley Davidson Custom Fatboy Trike.

 

[06 Dodge]

My self I prefer to change them out every 10 years /100 to 115000 miles, yes I have seen them go longer but why chance it and if any repair shop didn't want to do the work I would find one that wanted my business...

 

[Pokealong 42]

12015 Laramie 5.7 111,--- miles, changed my belt for the first time two cracks in original. I'm 83 took me 40 minutes idler fine spins long and quiet all u need is a 3/8" rachet and 1" extension / phone camera take pictures for routing of belt. Piece of cake

 

[BenchTest]

Since we're still going on this thread... I'll add that cracks are not the only thing to be concerned about on serpentine belts. Often, the ribs themselves will wear down sooner than cracks will appear. This is especially true on newer technology/material belts. The ribs wear down causing less surface area contact with the grooves in the pulleys and in extreme cases end up wearing thru the usable contact area of the belt causing failure. Less surface area contact can cause under-driven accessories. Eg: start/stop of A/C compressors and decoupler pulleys on alternators and on power steering pumps for those still using that technology. This can occur without the ribs ever showing any cracking. Just something to consider when factoring in age/miles.

 

[Dusty]

Since I'm coming up on the 150,000 coolant change I asked my tech. about changing the tensioner. He said he's only done a couple because of noise caused by a broken or weak spring, but most go the full distance.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 143322 miles.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Since I'm coming up on the 150,000 coolant change I asked my tech. about changing the tensioner. He said he's only done a couple because of noise caused by a broken or weak spring, but most go the full distance.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 143322 miles.

Would that be the same "full distance" that our "sealed for life" transmissions go?

 

[tap4154]

Would that be the same "full distance" that our "sealed for life" transmissions go?

Have you or anyone else seen any failures because people did not service their 8-speed transmission at 80 or 100,000 miles?

A lot of opinions I see in various forums seem to be based on people my age (71) expecting engines and transmissions to be built the same as they were back in 1960 or 70.

Also regarding oil changes, some people just can't trust that a synthetic oil can go longer than dino. I would argue that transmission fluid is also much better than it used to be, and that having a sealed transmission probably is a good thing. In fact the only failure I had in my old 2000 F150 tranny was because the dipstick had a tendency to break off, causing fluid to splash out, and contamination to come in. I had a rebuilt transmission put on, then several years later the dipstick broke off again. I was tempted to just plug it!

My Ram is at 58,000 mi, and I'm tempted just to let it run till 150k or more without touching the tranny, if I still have the truck. It's not used hard, and I live in a moderate climate.

 

[Dusty]

Would that be the same "full distance" that our "sealed for life" transmissions go?

Frankly, I'm not sure exactly what he meant, but the next time I see him I'll ask.

However, comparing tensioners to transmissions in this instance is likely more of a subject dealing with confirmation bias. In reality the ZF 8-speeds appear to be pretty reliable. Can they fail? Sure, but a transmission operates in an entirely different environment, performs a much more complicated mechanical function, and is much more sensitive to maintenance and how it's operated which a lot of people don't think about.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 143322 miles.

 

[BenchTest]

Have you or anyone else seen any failures because people did not service their 8-speed transmission at 80 or 100,000 miles?

A lot of opinions I see in various forums seem to be based on people my age (71) expecting engines and transmissions to be built the same as they were back in 1960 or 70.

Also regarding oil changes, some people just can't trust that a synthetic oil can go longer than dino. I would argue that transmission fluid is also much better than it used to be, and that having a sealed transmission probably is a good thing. In fact the only failure I had in my old 2000 F150 tranny was because the dipstick had a tendency to break off, causing fluid to splash out, and contamination to come in. I had a rebuilt transmission put on, then several years later the dipstick broke off again. I was tempted to just plug it!

My Ram is at 58,000 mi, and I'm tempted just to let it run till 150k or more without touching the tranny, if I still have the truck. It's not used hard, and I live in a moderate climate.

If you're asking for opinions, my opinion is to service that ZF transmission as spec'd by the manufacturer. They build a LOT of transmissions for a LOT of brands and know what they're doing. They are routinely good for 250-300K if maintained at interval and not used hard/abused and in moderate climates.

 

[tap4154]

If you're asking for opinions, my opinion is to service that ZF transmission as spec'd by the manufacturer. They build a LOT of transmissions for a LOT of brands and know what they're doing. They are routinely good for 250-300K if maintained at interval and not used hard/abused and in moderate climates.

But I think the manufacturer is Stellantis, not ZF. It's based on a ZF design, that Stellantis has made various modifications to, depending on which vehicle they are put in.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

If you're asking for opinions, my opinion is to service that ZF transmission as spec'd by the manufacturer. They build a LOT of transmissions for a LOT of brands and know what they're doing. They are routinely good for 250-300K if maintained at interval and not used hard/abused and in moderate climates.

I hear this and don't disagree, in theory with your statement!

However, from my experiences being proactive and predictive in ones maintenance cycle schedules, especially for automatic transmissions, and more so if you plan on keeping said vehicle for a "lifetime", it is of significant importance to do this more frequently.

I personally change my transmission fluid and filters at about 60,000km's (give or take - I'm a Canuck ), and that ensures me that when I change my fluid and filter in the trans that I'm NOT doing so at the complete end of a potential life cycle, which in turn translates to being proactive and predictive in maintaining a long and strong usable lifecycle where the trans hasn't been used to its last iota of usefulness where potential issues usually occur.

No fluid made today is "lifetime", and when one is factoring in that our 8spd transmissions naturally run hotter, and for those that don't employ the use of the @caulk04 trans cooler bypass valve to keep those temps down and the fluid in better condition overall, it is a good measure to consider to change the trans fluid and filter at a more reasonable interval. It's cheap insurance IMPO as we all know that a new/reman/or rebuilt 8spd trans is not an inexpensive thing to entertain!

My opinion and $0.02

 

[CanuckRam1313]

But I think the manufacturer is Stellantis, not ZF. It's based on a ZF design, that Stellantis has made various modifications to, depending on which vehicle they are put in.

Perhaps others with more knowledge will chime in, but to my understanding, Stellantis is NOT the OEM of the ZF transmission.

I can tell you that I spoke to several Dealerships over the years that state the ZF trans is NOT serviceable and has a "lifetime" fluid! How ridiculous is that statement!

We here all know that the ZF is a fully serviceable trans! However, it does take more time and more knowledge on a techs (and dealerships) part to do so competently.

 

[Wild one]

But I think the manufacturer is Stellantis, not ZF. It's based on a ZF design, that Stellantis has made various modifications to, depending on which vehicle they are put in.

Stellentis builds the little 845RE that you have,under licence from ZF,but ZF builds the bigger 8HP70's/8HP75's/8HP90's and 8HP95's for Stellentis.Only the little 845RE transmission is built by Stellentis

 

[tap4154]

Perhaps others with more knowledge will chime in, but to my understanding, Stellantis is NOT the OEM of the ZF transmission.

I can tell you that I spoke to several Dealerships over the years that state the ZF trans is NOT serviceable and has a "lifetime" fluid! How ridiculous is that statement!

We here all know that the ZF is a fully serviceable trans! However, it does take more time and more knowledge on a techs (and dealerships) part to do so competently.

As I asked in an earlier post, has anyone actually seen an 8 speed transmissions go south because the fluid was not changed?

I have a 2010 E-450 based motorhome that still has the original transmission fluid. It sat for many years unused, though the engine was started up and run to temperature on regular intervals. It only had 5,000 miles on it, and I was fixing up and getting ready to use it. I didn't really want to do a tranny fluid change on it unless I had to, so in May of 2023 I sent a sample of the fluid to Blackstone, and it came back just fine. They said check with them again in another 20,000 miles. So this is one reason I don't worry about changing the fluid so much, unless it's been used hard. In fact there are many stories of transmissions going out shortly after a fluid change, and especially after a flush.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

As I asked in an earlier post, has anyone actually seen an 8 speed transmissions go south because the fluid was not changed?

I have a 2010 E-450 based motorhome that still has the original transmission fluid. It sat for many years unused, though the engine was started up and run to temperature on regular intervals. It only had 5,000 miles on it, and I was fixing up and getting ready to use it. I didn't really want to do a tranny fluid change on it unless I had to, so in May of 2023 I sent a sample of the fluid to Blackstone, and it came back just fine. They said check with them again in another 20,000 miles. So this is one reason I don't worry about changing the fluid so much, unless it's been used hard. In fact there are many stories of transmissions going out shortly after a fluid change, and especially after a flush.

Spill & fill, Brother.... NOT a flush & fill!

This is where the proactive & predictive part come is

 

[tap4154]

Spill & fill, Brother.... NOT a flush & fill!

This is where the proactive & predictive part come is

But why spill good fluid? I posted about this in a large motorhome forum, and so many people said "no you can't drive with that old transmission fluid!" but Blackstone says it's fine. That's why I'm asking are there really people out there who's 8-speeds have gone south because they let it run for 150,000+ miles without changing the fluid? I have seen people mention they did a fluid change around 150,000, and it looked perfectly fine.

 

[Wild one]

But why spill good fluid? I posted about this in a large motorhome forum, and so many people said "no you can't drive with that old transmission fluid!" but Blackstone says it's fine. That's why I'm asking are there really people out there who's 8-speeds have gone south because they let it run for 150,000+ miles without changing the fluid? I have seen people mention they did a fluid change around 150,000, and it looked perfectly fine.

Looks mean squat when it comes to tranny fluid,the additives deplete/evaporate over time,ZF reconmends changing the fluid every 8 years,even if you haven't drove it 100 miles.
Do what you want,but i'll tell you right now,it's far cheaper to service the transmission,and a hell'va lot easier then changing one.Cost me a pile of money to get that green sheet,and swapping the transmission on a 4X4 on my driveway doesn't fall into the catagory of "fun" jobs to do on your back
Change it or don't change it,nobody really cares it's your truck do what you want with it,but if you plan on driving it into the ground,you might want to consider servicing the transmission at ZF's reconmended service intervals,if you're gonna dump the truck 3 years from now,then don't service the transmission or diff.

 

[tap4154]

Looks mean squat when it comes to tranny fluid,the additives deplete/evaporate over time,ZF reconmends changing the fluid every 8 years,even if you haven't drove it 100 miles.
Do what you want,but i'll tell you right now,it's far cheaper to service the transmission,and a hell'va lot easier then changing one.Cost me a pile of money to get that green sheet,and swapping the transmission on a 4X4 on my driveway doesn't fall into the catagory of "fun" jobs to do on your back
Change it or don't change it,nobody really cares it's your truck do what you want with it,but if you plan on driving it into the ground,you might want to consider servicing the transmission at ZF's reconmended service intervals,if you're gonna dump the truck 3 years from now,then don't service the transmission or diff.

I hear what you're saying, and with a 4x4 I would consider that a different situation, especially if used off-road a lot. Mine's a two-wheel drive, which is driven mainly around town and easy highway with no towing. However my 13-year-old MH fluid was tested by Blackstone and found to be perfectly fine. They said check back in 20,000 miles. I'm not sure what I'll do at 100,000 with the Ram, I'm just trying to bring up a point that in not all cases does that tranny need to be opened up in my opinion. It's not subject to combustible gases and other contamination like an engine is. It doesn't even have a dipstick, so it's sealed.

 

[BenchTest]

But why spill good fluid? I posted about this in a large motorhome forum, and so many people said "no you can't drive with that old transmission fluid!" but Blackstone says it's fine. That's why I'm asking are there really people out there who's 8-speeds have gone south because they let it run for 150,000+ miles without changing the fluid? I have seen people mention they did a fluid change around 150,000, and it looked perfectly fine.

Fluid is cheap and easy insurance for a $6000-8000 trans. Follow Blackstone if you want. Follow what the manufacturer suggests. Or whatever makes you warm and fuzzy inside.

 

[BenchTest]

I hear what you're saying, and with a 4x4 I would consider that a different situation, especially if used off-road a lot. Mine's a two-wheel drive, which is driven mainly around town and easy highway with no towing. However my 13-year-old MH fluid was tested by Blackstone and found to be perfectly fine. They said check back in 20,000 miles. I'm not sure what I'll do at 100,000 with the Ram, I'm just trying to bring up a point that in not all cases does that tranny need to be opened up in my opinion. It's not subject to combustible gases and other contamination like an engine is. It doesn't even have a dipstick, so it's sealed.

2 wheel drive, or 4 wheel drive, what difference does that make on fluid service life of a transmission when we're discussing mileage/time?