Time to replace the drive belt...

[small_tyme98]

Quick question: should i go with Honda OEM drive belt or some form of aftermarket belt?

The Honda belt is about $110 from the dealer, whereas an aftermarket belt can be had for around $30.

Is there any real quality difference to justify the Honda belt being that much more expensive, or is a belt just a belt and an aftermarket one should be fine to use?

[meat]

Drive belt? We have a chain in our cars.....

[small_tyme98]

^ I realize that we have a timing chain, i'm not talking about that.
I'm referring to the rubber drive belt (or serpentine belt) that's mounted on the front of the engine to the idler and tensioner pulleys and such.

[repiv]

I am currently using a Goodyear Gatorback serpentine belt. It's a fraction of the cost of the Honda unit. It's been going strong for 2 to 3 years now. I suggest you keep the old belt in the spare tire area as a back-up in case you are stuck in the middle of nowhere. I do the same with my old supercharger belt.

[small_tyme98]

Good advice. Are there any drawbacks to using an aftermarket belt such as increased belt noise at idle? I've read some aftermarket belts tend to be noisier, not sure how true that is.

But the honda belt definitely seems overpriced...i could purchase 3-4 aftermarket belts for the price of a single honda.

[kwando]

goodyear gatorback belts are awesome! rated the best, maybe even better than OEM

[darkside]

Use gatorback belts on all 3 Hondas.

[tomauto]

I have a gatorback after all the positive reviews over here and on s2ki. You can't go wrong with it. Mine was less than $20 from Autozone.

[Goku]

another one here for gatorback. very good belt, the honda one just doesnt justfy the cost.

[small_tyme98]

awesome, thanks guys.. i will be picking up a gatorback this week