OakToddler

I honestly thought that.

But if you look at ROCKAUTO.

They have them as three different categories.

I guess it depends on the Brand Name and how they describe it.

So, serpentine is either one?

OakToddler

DAYCO Part # 3PVK0850 {OE Equivalent}
Power Steering (Only 18 Remaining)

$6.13 $0.00 $6.13
DAYCO Part # 4PVK1215 {OE Equivalent}
W.P., Comp. & Alt., w/A.C.

$7.70 $0.00 $7.70
GATES Part # K030334 {K03 13/32" x 34"}

$9.16 $0.00 $9.16
DAYCO Part # 5030335 {Exceeds OE Specifications}
Power Steering

$9.44 $0.00 $9.44
ACDELCO Part # 3K334 {K03 13/32" x 34" #88920958}
BELT,SERPENTINE POWER STEERING

$11.01 $0.00 $11.01
GATES Part # K040476 {K04 9/16" x 48 1/8"}

$11.19 $0.00 $11.19
DAYCO Part # 5040478 {Exceeds OE Specifications}
W.P., Comp. & Alt., w/A.C.

$11.87 $0.00 $11.87
ACDELCO Part # 4K476 {K04 9/16" x 48 1/8" #89055996}
BELT,SERPENTINE FAN AND ALTERNATOR

$13.46 $0.00 $13.46

hawaiiguy

my alternator belt broke today at 49, 8xx miles....had to have a tow truck take it to my gas station for repairs... it was shredded!

JMD83

Sorry to revive such an old thread...

I've had the PS belt flip over problem since the first time I changed the belts. I have stock everything, never changed the pulleys. I don't see how anything could be out of alignment from factory settings? I've tightened to as much tension as possible. I've gotten the best results from an OE belt. Those tend to last the longest before shredding or flipping...

Anyone out there ever find a fix or solution to this issue? Should I try a shorter than stock ps belt?

proctorsilex

JMD83,
You might need to have a shop do it to tension it to spec. I found it difficult to get belt tensions proper. After a lot of failures, now, I will do whatever work I am doing, replace the belts, then drop it off at a shop to adjust the belts. Try to get them to back up their work such that you do not have to pay again if the belt has problems within some amount of time or miles.
If you are hell bent on DIY belt changing, you could also try getting fancy with a belt deflection tool or whatever it is called. You could even try talking with a mechanic to find out what seat of the pants method that they use for belt tension.

These cars are starting to rack on the miles now. It might be helpful to check out Echo forums and such because they share the same parts and may have exhibited this problem. The Echos have been around more than long enough to exhibit whatever problems these parts are going to exhibit.

Your driving style may be the culprit. The only PS belt problems I had occurred when I was driving hard at a track or autocross. Hard braking and turning at speed seem to put a heck of a lot of strain on the PS belt. It was with an aftermarket for me, but it might happen with stock too.

Good luck.