Gates Corporation plans to demonstrate and discuss serpentine belt wear diagnostic techniques at the American Trucking Associations Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Exhibition in Tampa, Fla. Feb. 9 through 11.

To further help fleet and heavy-duty vehicle professionals properly assess serpentine belt wear, the company will also distribute complimentary belt wear gauges at Gates Booth 1827.

New belt materials, such as EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer), typically do not show obvious visible or audible signs of wear, states the company. EPDM rubber is a superior technology that enables better, longer lasting belt performance but, like any engine part that’s susceptible to wear, it won’t last forever.

It can be difficult to detect signs of wear because as EPDM belts age they don’t show the same wear characteristics as belts constructed from Neoprene, Gates adds.

“Unlike Neoprene belts, cracks and chunk-outs rarely occur with EPDM belts and instead, like tires, they gradually wear out over time as they experience rubber loss,” says Ken Bridges, national sales manager, Gates Brand, Heavy Duty Aftermarket Sales. “When this happens, a belt loses its ability to grip or operate properly and can slip, which puts a strain on fleet and heavy-duty vehicle engine components on the accessory belt drive system, causing them to malfunction and eventually fail.”

Gates experts will help conference attendees learn how to use a belt wear gauge and other diagnostic tools and techniques to analyze rib wear, belt seating and pulley fit. In addition, the company will discuss how weather conditions, contaminants, belt temperature and engine components -- like automatic belt tensioners -- can influence the lifespan of a serpentine belt and affect a vehicle’s driveability.

Gates Corporation recently introduced a new belt wear education program dedicated to helping service technicians and motorists learn more about EPDM technology and how to identify signs of wear on serpentine belts. As part of the program, Gates unveiled a web site (www.gatesbeltwear.com) that features tech tips, diagnostic illustrations and other useful information. For more information, visit www.gates.com.