Mighty Shilling

I just replaced the serp belt. My old one was cracked and had pieces missing. Reviewed the instructions, then went out and did it. 20 minutes later, I was done. I love modern German engineering. Totally expected a pain in the ***. Color me surprised.

Please enjoy the video of my expression after the work was done.

CVDH

I can't view videos at work, so I am imagining a look of combined shock and bemusement, not unlike the mime in your avatar.

Incidentally, this post gave me some additional confidence in the prospect of adding a Boxster to my stable.

Mighty Shilling

CVDH, it's the scene from Monty python and the holy grail when they are at the bridge of death, and Galahan the brave says "THAT'S EASY!" and pushes past everyone. I'm a dork, I know.

But it is super easy to do.

ep3_lol

Porschephile is correct. I did this myself 2 weeks ago, with very little mechanical experience, and it was a breeze. If I had to do it again, it'd probably be less than 10 minutes between starting to take the carpet out and finishing putting it back in. Just got to make sure the last pulley you get the belt around is within easy reach while you are loosening the tensioner.

sjfehr

My 9-year old daughter changed mine out last month

San Rensho

Keep the old belt and the socket/wrench to release the tensioner in the car with you. If you lose your belt in the future, you can avoid an expensive and time consuming flat bed trip to a mechanic.

Mighty Shilling

The old belt wouldn't last. It was done. Completely. I'm honestly surprised I didn't throw it or break it.

Charlie C

How long should they last? (OK, I'm being lazy, it's probably in the owner's manual.)

Mighty Shilling

Well, mine was cracked to **** after I assume 44k miles and 10 years.... I think it all depends on climate and such.

Macster

The owners manual probably gives a change/replacement interval (I'm too lazy to look it up too) but that doesn't mean all belts will last that long.

Most will, but you want to be sure you're car's belt is not the exception. A belt can suffer premature failure due to a bad water pump (the belt can track wrong and rub), a bad idler roller bearing or a bad tensioer roller bearing or a bad/weak tensioner. It can also suffer if it has been exposed to certain chemicals, was mistreated during installation or removed for some reason then put on running the opposite direction, or it was just a bad belt to begin with.

In short you should check the belt's condition whenever you can, this is usually every oil/filter service (or a roadworthiness inspection before heading out fon a road trip) when the car is in the air and the belt can be viewed to some extent feeling for sharp edges or sections of v-ribs missing.

Might add this also gives you a chance to check the water pump and other things under the car for leaks, the CV boots for splits/cracks, loose/missing fastener hardware, missing/damaged rear brake scoops, etc.

Sincerely,

Macster.

sjfehr

Recommended at 60k for my model year (04), but the original was absolutely pristine that I waited until 84k before finally finally going "ah, **** it" and putting the new belt in that I'd bought 2 years prior. I saved the still-pristine original belt as a spare; I had a belt spontaneously fail on another car of mine once and was saved from an old belt in the trunk.

ep3_lol

The inside ribs of mine were pretty much covered in small cracks at 60k. Failure wasn't imminent, probably a long way off, but the new one couldn't hurt.

Macster

Small cracks across the ribs is ok. Ribs with missing sections not ok. Signs belt is rubbing -- sharp edges -- is not ok. This last item points to the belt mistracking due to excessive wear/play at an accessory drive. So before the belt is replaced the accessory drive with the play needs to be id'd.

Sincerely,

Macster.

smlporsche

In addition to the 60k recomended is there a time limit as well?
I only have 30k on my '03 and was wondering about it.

ep3_lol

I'm no rubber expert, but I would expect that the belt's material is susceptible to rot like other similar materials.