I happened to open the hood while my car was warming up a couple days ago, and I noticed a small piece of the belt flapping. I just got it replaced about 6 months ago. I stopped the car and took some pics. The edge is fraying, and there'* a foot long section of the belt that is missing a groove. Nothing serious. The car still drives fine, the belt is tight, the pulleys are lined up... I think the belt is good for a while.

But I'm taking it in to the shop in the morning after confronting them about it Monday. I'm almost positive they gave me a crappy belt or installed it incorrectly. But they said they'd look at it. Which probably means they'll look at it for a 1/2 hour and say it wasn't their fault, and pretend the idler pulley or something else is causing it. I have a bad feeling that is exactly what will happen. I want them to replace it for free! We'll see what happens. :?

I'm betting the idler is worn/sloppy, causing the belt to try to ride to the outside, and it frays on the next pulley in the path. You should see evidence of this on the inside face of the outer edge of one of the pulleys.

If it was worn, would I be able to notice it when it'* spinning? Probably not right? I didn't take the belt off to check. I'd feel better watching whoever looks at my car so I know what the problem is.

I'd be looking for slop in the pulley with the belt off (bearing wear) or an uneven wear on the face of the idler. You might be able to see it.

I'll ask the shop if I can look at the pulley with them. I know what to look for.

I'll make a prediction and say they'll tell me the pulley is worn, so I need a new one for $35 (probably what they'd charge) and a new belt change ($75). Then I'd say 'forget it, I can't afford it.' :(

I would have to say a worn pulley also as Will stated. There has to be something that the belt was rubbing against.

AND you better fix it cause you ARE coming to the meet in march. *cough*drugrunner*cough*

I know when I've changed my belts, I had trouble lining them up correctly on the crank pulley. Look for that.

Well guys I'm pissed. I wish you were right Will. But they said my pulleys are all fine. I asked them again to make sure, and if the idler pulley was ok. They said it was. They said the belt "is just worn. But unfortunatley it'* out of the warranty period and it will be $72-85 to replace it."

WTF!!! They just replaced it 6 months ago!! I told them I couldn't afford the "$72-85" to replace it today.

This is ridiculous, they couldn't have changed it for me since it'* obvious it was their fault? I'm buying a Gatorback and will get someone else to install it this time.

Ugh..I feel your pain...I hate when stuff like that happens...I had a similar issue when my brake pads wore out only 20,000 miles after I bought my car (27,000 miles on the car total)...Of course, brakes aren't part of the warranty and they accused me of riding them...for the record the new brake pads have lasted more than 40,000 miles and are still going strong...apparently I suddenly stopped "riding the brakes".... Anyway...I wish there were better ways to keep mechanics accountable for their work...

Yeah, I wish they were more accountable. I find it pretty retarded that a mechanic can't line up a belt correctly. Or that they couldn't have given me a good belt in the first place. Screw their warranty, they should still replace it for nothing since they did something wrong. :(