Serpentine Belt and Alternator question

17578 Views 28 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Jbrown2792, Jun 12, 2011

05bluenvoy

Discussion Starter · May 19, 2009

Hey guys, quick couple questions. I have a 05 envoy w/65K miles. Planning on going on a trip here soon and I wanted to change the serpentine belt before I go. Parts store told me that the v6 has two different belts depending on which alternator you have. Without having to take off the belt, is there anyway of knowing which belt and alternator I have. I guess, my last question is....if I have the lower output alternator, will the higher output alternator fit in my envoy using the same mounting points....so if I wanted to upgrade it, would I have to buy any extra parts to get it too fit?
Last thing...I see a lot of threads talking about dimming headlights. Has anyone put a grounding kit on too see if it works...it did work in my 03 Nissan...it was having the same problem. I have the dimming issue in my Envoy but I haven't tried the grouding kit...and it's never really given me problems. Just a thought....Thanks

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the roadie

· #2 · May 19, 2009

If the parts store also thinks you have a V6, they're totally wrong instead of only being half wrong.

Seriously, we have an I6. AFAIK, all vehicles have the 150A alternator, and the only belt difference is that the belt for the EXT/XL long wheelbase version has a shorter belt due to a difference in the power steering pump.

Gatorback belts are recommended, and the part number you need is 4060915. Part # 4060905 is the shorter belt used on the EXT and XL vehicles.

Feel free to argue with the parts folks if they claim their data base has different info. Many of the parts chains DO have bad data in their computers for this particular part. Trailvoy knows better. :tiphat

RayVoy

· #3 · May 20, 2009

The roadie is completely correct on this subject :thumbsup:.

I just bought a belt for an 05 Envoy XL (long wheel base). The Canadian data bases are the same (probably all sourced for the same supplier). They claim the difference is alternator based. WRONG. It is wheel base length dependent.
The lwb trucks use the short belt, the swb trucks use the long belt. Go figure :undecided

05bluenvoy

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 20, 2009

Sweetness...I'll go down tommorrow and get the belt...Gatorback huh?? Roadie...ya that was me saying V6...still not used to have to say I6...sounds awkward. I'm curious about the the other alternator they were talking about...i'll ask what the difference between the two just out of curiousity. Thanks

the roadie

· #5 · May 20, 2009

There's an RPO code for 145 Amp alternators, and 150 Amp. I've never heard of a 145 Amp version being installed. For that small a difference, they shouldn't have even bothered to design it into the logistics chain. With all the electronic control modules, it IS a heavy power-using vehicle. And they still managed to allow the voltage to droop when things like the secondary air injector turbine spins up.

WOOLUF1952

· #6 · May 20, 2009

I'm sure Roadie and RayVoy are correct, but if you want to check, the RPO code for the 150 amp alternator is KG4. The 130 amp is KG3.

the roadie

· #7 · May 20, 2009

WOOLUF1952 said:
I'm sure Roadie and RayVoy are correct, but if you want to check, the RPO code for the 150 amp alternator is KG4. The 130 amp is KG3.

Hmmmmm, in 2003-2004, KG3 referred to a 145 Amp option. There was no option other than KG4 in the RPO codes for 2002 (At least the ones on this site.)

Is your 130 Amp a typo, or do you have another list that says it's 130 instead of 145? Yeah, I know it's irrelevant since I don't think any trailvoys shipped with smaller alternators, but debating the minutia is such a traditional pastime here. :yes:

WOOLUF1952

· #8 · May 20, 2009

You are correct sir. I just checked my service manual and KG3=145 amp. The 130 amp was from a posting on TV, that I had written on a list I keep for gen info. That's what happens when I don't verify. I will change the list.

fftopic: Why the h**l would they waste the money on a 5 amp difference?

Blazernut

· #9 · May 20, 2009

So I got my belt the other day from my local parts store. The guy across the street comes over to give me a hand because I can't get the tensioner out of the way and remove the belt at the same time.

I take the old belt and the new belt and stretch them out between my arms hooked on my thumbs and I think ... ok close enough. Well I got it on but is was soooooo tight.

So masterminds and gurus ...... do I leave it or spend more money and buy the right one? It seems to work fine but will the extra tension blow out the idler and or tensioner pulleys?

Where was this thread at 10 am yesterday :duh:

cdpyjs

· #10 · May 20, 2009

the roadie said:
Hmmmmm, in 2003-2004, KG3 referred to a 145 Amp option. There was no option other than KG4 in the RPO codes for 2002 (At least the ones on this site.)

Is your 130 Amp a typo, or do you have another list that says it's 130 instead of 145? Yeah, I know it's irrelevant since I don't think any trailvoys shipped with smaller alternators, but debating the minutia is such a traditional pastime here. :yes:

Like you guys said, it's not a big deal, but I noticed on Napa's website, they list 130 and 150 when you're in the belts section. When you look for alternators, they only list the 150 and an optional 200 (nice upgrade). I did find on the web that the V8 trucks come with the KG3 (145 for 5.3 and 6.0). And that is probably b/c that motor is put into so many vehicles (tahoe, subs and silverado's) and uses that alternator.

ilikemy3s

· #11 · May 20, 2009

Blazernut said:
So I got my belt the other day from my local parts store. The guy across the street comes over to give me a hand because I can't get the tensioner out of the way and remove the belt at the same time.

I take the old belt and the new belt and stretch them out between my arms hooked on my thumbs and I think ... ok close enough. Well I got it on but is was soooooo tight.

So masterminds and gurus ...... do I leave it or spend more money and buy the right one? It seems to work fine but will the extra tension blow out the idler and or tensioner pulleys?

Where was this thread at 10 am yesterday :duh:

Are any of the pulleys beings bent or strained? Is anything binding? Id say leave it on .. If it where too tight and or wrong, you would not have been able to get it on at all. It will loosen up slightly as it heats/ages. :m2:

Super 88

· #12 · May 20, 2009 (Edited)

the roadie said:
If the parts store also thinks you have a V6, they're totally wrong instead of only being half wrong.

Seriously, we have an I6. AFAIK, all vehicles have the 150A alternator, and the only belt difference is that the belt for the EXT/XL long wheelbase version has a shorter belt due to a difference in the power steering pump.

Gatorback belts are recommended, and the part number you need is 4060915. Part # 4060905 is the shorter belt used on the EXT and XL vehicles.

Feel free to argue with the parts folks if they claim their data base has different info. Many of the parts chains DO have bad data in their computers for this particular part. Trailvoy knows better. :tiphat

Exactly. I did a lot of research on this. There is only one place that I have found that has the correct information. It is Dayco's web site:

http://www.mvreader.com/multiview/d...R&year=2005&year_from=&year_to=&engine=B2A&l=

If you have the EXT vehicle, you COULD use the longer belt (91.5") but your tensioner will be noisy and your belt may slip a little. Don't ask how I know this!

Frankly when I went to my local parts store, they asked which alternator I had and just to make life easier for all of us I told them "130 amp"
It wouldn't do any good for any of us to argue about it because:
a: Most of the employees could really care less and
b: There really isn't anything they can do about it anyhow.

Sometimes you have to choose your battles wisely!

Blazernut said:
So masterminds and gurus ...... do I leave it or spend more money and buy the right one? It seems to work fine but will the extra tension blow out the idler and or tensioner pulleys?

Where was this thread at 10 am yesterday :duh:

What is the part number of the belt you bought? I'm thinking you got the right one, it is tight just because it is a new belt!

BTW, I hate to be a stick in the mud, but this topic has been discussed several times already. Maybe we should make this (or one of the other ones) a sticky!

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Double D

· #13 · May 20, 2009

I had just replaced my belt and it was very tight to install. I have the correct number, but i had to push the tensioner all the way down to get the belt on.

rubberman

· #14 · May 20, 2009

yeap i made the mistake in getting the longer belt and finding out the belt tensioner rattles to high hell with that belt. Kept the long belt and realized thats the exact belt for my grand prix and then bought the shorter belt. so it all worked out for me.

RayVoy

· #15 · May 21, 2009

For those of you that experienced a tight belt instal, and if you have the short wheel base trucks, you probably have the wrong belt.

There is only 1.5 or 2" difference in he belts.

I have the long wheel base truck, and I changed my belt 2 weeks ago. I used the small belt, and it installed very easily.

A belt that is too tight will cause a lot of strain on all/any of the bearings.

I would return the belt and tell the store they gave you the wrong belt, insist on a change.

BTW, the good news is that the longer belt is cheaper (about $15.00 in Canada).

Double D

· #16 · May 21, 2009

In my case the number on the belt is correct, it ends in 915.

rubberman

· #17 · May 21, 2009

just watch out on the belt exchange policy, i read somewhere (autozone) that if the belt is on it for 15 mins then its considered used and unreturnable.

RayVoy

· #18 · May 21, 2009

Double D said:
In my case the number on the belt is correct, it ends in 915.

That is the right belt, the short belt ends in 905.

It may be the nature of the beast, that the longer belts are just harder to install.

the roadie

· #19 · May 21, 2009

RayVoy said:
For those of you that experienced a tight belt install...

I've been having this problem for 25 years or so.....

There is only 1.5 or 2" difference in the belts.

Actually 1.0". 90.5" versus 91.5"

RayVoy

· #20 · May 21, 2009

the roadie said:
Actually 1.0"

I've been telling my wife that for years................ the difference between long and short is only 1" :crackup:

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