The V-ribbed belt is wider than a conventional V-belt and has ribs on its running surface. The belt tension is adjustable on the diesel engine only, on other engines the automatic tensioner keeps the belt tension constant. The V-ribbed belt has a long service life and needs to be checked only after 45 thousand km and, if necessary, replaced. When installing, you need to be especially careful to ensure that the belt runs correctly and is correctly located on the pulleys.
The V-ribbed belt must be replaced in the following cases:
- with fractures and cracking, the presence of worn and shiny places;
- loud noise (e.g. due to oil);
- with such damage: transverse cracks in the ribs, breaks in the ribs, inclusions of dirt and small stones between the ribs, notches or wear on the ribs.
Note: If the V-ribbed belt is to be reused, mark the direction of rotation with chalk. This direction cannot be changed.