Featured Defective Serpentine Belt

[rockitman]

I have a 2016 Stingray with 13,000kms and while cleaning under the hood, noticed a black powder on the passenger side inner fender and various other areas. It was my serpentine belt that had the center groove missing and the steel belts showing. The dealer replaced it, plus examined the pulley to check for a cause. The belt was defective.
This may be something to watch for.

 

[Rruuff Day]

Wow Dennis... Good thing you were checking under there... We are all going to be checking now... Thanks for the tip.

 

[YFCvii]

Oh boy oh boy .... off to check mine and if/when I see an issue I will be looking to see if Goodyear has a Gatorback belt ... those never ever squeak

 

[YFCvii]

Did you happen to get a photo of what the powder area looked like?

 

[ddgermann]

I have a 2016 Stingray with 13,000kms and while cleaning under the hood, noticed a black powder on the passenger side inner fender and various other areas. It was my serpentine belt that had the center groove missing and the steel belts showing. The dealer replaced it, plus examined the pulley to check for a cause. The belt was defective.
This may be something to watch for.

I'm thinking for sure a defective belt as those things seem pretty bulletproof these days. Good you caught it before it grenaded and made more of a mess.
There's the Corvette owner vs owners of the "others" ... I have had many new/er pick ups and Hummers and never look under the hood. Who checks oil anymore with the modern engines? Just get it serviced every 5000K and forget about it.
With the Corvettes the hood is open everyday... Just to admire if nothing else.

 

[rockitman]

I didn't take a picture of it, but is was a course black powder that was on the alternator and other parts, but showed up on the passenger inner fender. My car is silver so it was easy to spot. The belt was very obvious to notice as the center rib was gone.

 

[Riley P]

That is crazy. I've never seen a new belt fail like that. Nice catch!

 

[Black 03 Z06]

Dennis could you see any sign of something rubbing on the belt? Seems really odd, glad you caught it before it gave up the ghost completely.

 

[rockitman]

Absolutely nothing to indicate failure. No rock or part too close to the belt or pulley. Hoping that is was a defective belt. Luckily I noticed it before the Drumheller trip.

 

[rockitman]

I have a Buick Lacrosse and an Equinox with more kms and they both look like new belts

 

[YFCvii]

Checked out my 2016 Stringray ... I am all good
... likely an unfortunate anomaly for you ...
BUT
you caught it !
AND
then you paid-it-forward through CCF
making something not so great (for you) better for others

and for that I applaud you for making many of us look
Thanks! ​

 

[rockitman]

You rarely hear of a serpentine belt degrading and not doing major damage. We all know that it won't come off at idle, only when the engine is at high RPM's. Then it decides to self destruct.

 

[Baby Ray]

I have a 2016 Stingray with 13,000kms and while cleaning under the hood, noticed a black powder on the passenger side inner fender and various other areas. It was my serpentine belt that had the center groove missing and the steel belts showing. The dealer replaced it, plus examined the pulley to check for a cause. The belt was defective.
This may be something to watch for.

Another guy with a 2015 Z06 had the same thing happen to him as well. 17000kms.

 

[JCWP]

I have a 2016 Stingray with 13,000kms and while cleaning under the hood, noticed a black powder on the passenger side inner fender and various other areas. It was my serpentine belt that had the center groove missing and the steel belts showing. The dealer replaced it, plus examined the pulley to check for a cause. The belt was defective.
This may be something to watch for.

Thanks for the heads up. I will keep an eye on things when cleaning under the hood - only 5000K on mine so far.