NC TRACKRAT

Anyone changed their serpentine belt yet? Had a Porsche Tech tell me that it takes a "special tool" to retract the tensioner in order to remove/install the belt. He said that, if a belt were to break, it would require a tow to the nearest dealer to install a new one. Being a DIY'er, I would feel a lot more secure if I carried a spare and were able to change my own belt should the need arise. Looking for info on the "special tool" and instructions for use.

Adk46

I've often carried spare belts in my car - they're sure to break on a Sunday, and it would be extremely frustrating to be stranded in some roadside motel while waiting to get one. But I've never had one break except for a seized accessory, once, over 20 years ago.

I bicycle a lot; I can't recall the last time I saw a broken belt on the side of the road. Perhaps, like modern tires, they don't often fail. Better construction, and spring-loaded tensioners to take the "do not over-tighten" nonsense out of the equation.

A good question though.

NC TRACKRAT

Knowing that the dealerships rarely stock the parts you need, it would still be a good idea to carry a spare even if we can't put it one. At least you wouldn't have to wait an additional day or two to get one flown in.

NC TRACKRAT

Bump...Still trying to obtain instructions for changing out the serpentine belt. Sticker under hood gives belt routing but what good is that if you can't gain access?

PTEC

If you look closely you'll see there is no official recommendation on the service life of the belt from Porsche. I suspect the reason being is most people would cry fowl at the amount of labor required. Being the Macan is basically a q5 they used an old Audi idea called "service position" This ridiculous concept requires basically removing the entire front clip and suspending it on some pins that slide into the body. Book time on the amount of work to put the vehicle in service position is somewhere around 5 hours.

There is no special tool for releasing the tensioner, any 30mm wrench or socket will do. That being said you would have an easier time escaping from alcatraz than you would replacing a belt on the side of the road.

NC TRACKRAT

That is my suspicion....and leave it to the German engineers to make it as difficult as possible. Not so with our 2005 MINI Cooper S and 2006 MINI GP. Putting them in "service mode" requires no more than 1/2 hour. I've done it many times with no special tools.

Adk46

NC TRACKRAT

Congratulations! However, the Turbo engine compartment is as crowded as Stormy Daniels's bra!

hotrod2448

I looked into the engine bay for all of about 15 seconds in preparation for this but, this seems to confirm my fear on the turbo belt change. Given the amount of time that has passed since this thread, does anyone have a belt change DIY that doesn’t require disassembling the front end of the vehicle?

VAGfan

Almost any work on the V6 is more difficult than the 4 cylinder. You might be able to change the belt on a V6 without moving the radiator carrier to the "Service Position", but it is very tight. The 4 Cyl has enough clearance to do it without moving the radiator carrier forward.

You need a tool like this. to move the spring loaded tensioner away from the belt, so the belt can be removed and replaced.

PSEE

FWIW, there's a writeup (trackrat didn't you look there?) over in the macanforum - as expected, it's a major PITA...

with bumper removal:w/out bumper removal:more discussion:even more discussion:

NC TRACKRAT

Yep, I saw it and asked some questions of the OP's. Of interest was the discovery of the leaking belt tensioner and how to change it as well as the belt itself. Seems the leaking tensioner is a common problem. Not impossible to change but certainly not easy.