So I took the alternator auxiliary belt off my car. The Motorcraft part number on it is XW4E8620AC. The Gates equivalent is 6PK2270 according to all sources I can find online. I ordered the new belt only to find it is too short by about 50cm! To make matters worse Gates specify a VIN number identification that doesn't match my car at all.

Has anybody else come across this anomaly?

The right belt

The wrong belt

 

Could be the cross reference charts are wrong. I ran into something similar when I replaced the water pump on my ‘02 V6. Multiple vendors appeared to have duplicated the same error.

Take a look at RockAuto.com. They show various manufacturers and are a good reference, even if you order elsewhere.

If you can not find that exact Motorcraft number for sale, I would not trust another number that is supposed to match.

 

You haven't given us your location, engine type or model year. I am assuming that it is a 3.0...

The last 4 digits of the Gates part number are the length in mm; the next larger size appears to be a 6PK2345. The Ford part number appears to cross reference to the early Lincoln LS 3.0 .

 

Can you take the old belt to your local parts store, to match up with new? They have a device for measuring V-belts. Is there such a critter for serpentine belts?

 

Yes. Sorry it is a V6 3.0. I have ordered what I think is the right size belt now. I will post the part number if it fits

 

For V6 3.0 cars up to vin M45254 this is part number AJ84136 that is still available from Jaguar for £53.13.

You can look it up yourself on the official Jaguar parts web site:

https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic...-s-type-parts/

Mellow

 

Ouch! That's a bit expensive.

 

Yes it is, but you do stand a good chance of getting the right one first time if you look the part number up correctly on the jaguar website.
With these cars there are just so many changes of so many components the only sure way is to get the part number for your car via the jaguar parts catalogue.
You may then be able to cross referance it, or find it cheaper using google.
Mellow

 

More than likely oem will be a continental branding. More money but i like them. Paid about 75 US for my supercharger belt and serpentine from rockauto. Well worth it. Never a sqall or sqeak from either

 

Yes, ive had the same issue with a Continental belt. Too short.
i couldn't find one in europe and i had a friend from the usa send me one.

take the old belt with you at the shop and have them match it.

 

I can confirm that the correct Gates belt is K061080 also known as 6PK2748. The correct Gates tensioner to match is T38279. The tensioner is not an identical copy of the Jag item, but it fits fine. I was initially concerned about the different pulley size, until I realised that it was an upgraded tensioner.

 

As I am not the only person to come across this problem perhaps this should be a sticky. What do you think mod?