V Belts? Contitech or Gates? Preferences? - IDI Engine - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• V Belts? Contitech or Gates? Preferences? by Ziptar on 23 Jan, 2008 03:23
• I am ordering belts for the IDI. Anyone have a preference of one brand over another?
  
  Thanks,
• #1 by myke_w on 23 Jan, 2008 06:55
• My VW mechanic buddy who has been in the business for 30 years swears theres a difference in drive angle on belts made for german cars.  
  
  I've only seen a problem with regular non specific belts on the alternator setup on the mk2 diesels with AC.
  
  My personal opinion is to use what came on the car, which in most cases would be Conti.
• #2 by saurkraut on 23 Jan, 2008 07:28
• Ive tried other stuff on VWs, and when you ask specificly for the specified belt length in millimeters, the non-Conti stuff acts like its too long: a new non-Conti belt needs most of the tension adjustment range.
  
  Therfore, I use only Conti
• #3 by Quantum TD on 23 Jan, 2008 11:05
• I like Conti, but they do tend to stretch a bit more than other brands when you first install them.
  
  Gates (green stripe) are quite nice in terms of longevity and strength. I use them on my Tacoma and they're still like new after 3 years of hot and muddy weather.
• #4 by Ziptar on 24 Jan, 2008 02:30
• Ok, Thanks for the input.