Serpentine belt replacement
#1
Wax On, Wax Off
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Location: 5280 ft above the sea
Posts: 17,727
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Serpentine belt replacement
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.
Please enjoy the video of my expression after the work was done.
#2
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.
Incidentally, this post gave me some additional confidence in the prospect of adding a Boxster to my stable.
#3
Wax On, Wax Off
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2003
Location: 5280 ft above the sea
Posts: 17,727
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
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.
But it is super easy to do.
#4
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.
#6
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.
Trending Topics
#8
Porsche Nut
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
How long should they last? (OK, I'm being lazy, it's probably in the owner's manual.)
#10
Race Director
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.
#11
Drifting
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.
#13
Race Director
Sincerely,
Macster.