serpentine belt replacement

I was at Big-O yesterday cashing in a free oil change and they told me I need a new serpintine belt. I'm at 80k miles on my 97 GXE, so I guess it's time.

My mechanic says he'll charge $50 in parts and half-hour labor for both serpininte belts. Is this a good deal? I have been told I could do it myself, but don't want it to turn into one of those half hour/five hour deals.

Thanks,

Geojams.

Originally posted by geojams
I was at Big-O yesterday cashing in a free oil change and they told me I need a new serpintine belt. I'm at 80k miles on my 97 GXE, so I guess it's time.

My mechanic says he'll charge $50 in parts and half-hour labor for both serpininte belts. Is this a good deal? I have been told I could do it myself, but don't want it to turn into one of those half hour/five hour deals.

Thanks,

Geojams. The belts cost about $12 for the AC compressor and $8 for the steering pump, so I'd say he's ripping you on the parts.
If he works on Maximas all of the time but if he doesn't, he won't get it done in a half an hour. Maybe he doesn't know what he's getting into.

I had help when changing my belt and it took about 2 hours. It's very tight in that engine bay and if you have big hands, you will have problems getting to the bolts on the back of the starter.

Blah.

Everytime you take your car to a car wash to change your oil or cash in your free ar wash, they try to get you with something. My friend got his changed at a nearby shop for 30 bucks...as for the parts, the man above me is right.

The free oil change was at Big-O for some OLD tires I traded in. You are probably right on the parts. I've been thinking about it and I think I'm just going to have them do it, that way if something goes wrong (unlikely, I know) it's all on them. I am much more interested in fixing computers than cars, so I'd rather just have it done and not have to worry about it.

Thanks for the input,

geojams

Btw, I know I'm preaching to the choir, but I love my Maxima. Everyone that drives it says it's a great car . My brother-in-law even bought one shortly after driving mine.

if you really need it i dont think its a bad deal. mechanics always will double the price of all parts. putting them in yourself (if you havent done it before) will take like an hour or so. it would be much easier to take it to him but will save you $70 if you do it yourself