Belt replacement

Well, I gotta replace my belt under the hood, it seems like something is rubbing aganist it, and I dunno what, so Im gonna hope that simply replcing it will solve the problem. But heres the question...HOW IN THE HELL DO YOU GET THE BELT OFF? I think I spent like 30 mins trying to figure out how to get it off, then I said "the hell with this shit", and just rented a car. So far, it obvious that I shouldn't be under the hood trying to change a belt. So, with that being said, how much labor am I looking to pony up to have the dealership (A.K.A. stealership) install it? Personaly, I really think when you put more than 75% of what you paid for the car into just the motor alone, its time to kiss it goodbye. Oh yeah, I got a 99 GASE, 2.4.... Any help would be greatful. Now if you'll excuse me, im gonna go bang my head on the wall and ask myself why didn't I opt for the GT model:banghead:

I assume you are talking about the serpentine belt. On some models you have to remove the upper motor mount to get the belt off. On others it is as simple as loosening the belt tensioner and removing the tension from the belt. It will slide off easily and you put it on in reverse order. If you have to remove the motor mount to get the belt off take it to a mechanic. It will probably cost around $100 for a new belt and installation. If you don't have to remove the mount then it will probably be about $60 including the price of the belt. Stay away from the stealership if you can as the price will be about 1/3 to 1/2 higher there.

I assume you are talking about the serpentine belt. On some models you have to remove the upper motor mount to get the belt off. On others it is as simple as loosening the belt tensioner and removing the tension from the belt. It will slide off easily and you put it on in reverse order. If you have to remove the motor mount to get the belt off take it to a mechanic. It will probably cost around $100 for a new belt and installation. If you don't have to remove the mount then it will probably be about $60 including the price of the belt. Stay away from the stealership if you can as the price will be about 1/3 to 1/2 higher there.

From what I can see, the upper motor mount may have to be removed, so it looks like its back to the mechanic..again:uhoh: You know its bad when every service advisor at the dealer knows me on the first-name basis:shakehead

I just called the dealer, and they said thaty only wanted $75+ the cost of the belt to replace it. Is that too much?

I just called the dealer, and they said thaty only wanted $75+ the cost of the belt to replace it. Is that too much?

:uhoh:

Yea thats to much =p for just a belt + install...

look around for a local shop and see if they have a price for less...

FIRST, before going to the local shop... goto your local autozone, advance auto parts or w/e local automotive store and see if they have the belt there... then look around for a shop if you cant do it yourself... I think you'll save a little money :2cents:


to bad tho u dont have a GT =)
Gatorback Accessory Belt - $24.99 (http://www.pfyc.com/store/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=PFYC&Product_Code=GA3007&Product_Count=5&Category_Code=GAUNDER) <-- Great place to buy, fast service & delievery :thumbsup:

you don't need to pull the motor mount, it wraps under it, at first glance I thought it would have to be pulled too, but it doesn't. you will need a 15mm wrech and a larger wrech to do it (or pipe that fits over the 15mm wrench). It 5 mins work to change it ... $75 seems pretty steep unless it included the belt.

put the box end of the 15mm wrench on the pulley that has a 15mm bolt going thru it (tensioner) (its in front of the motor mount), then put the bigger wrench on the end of the 15mm wrench (or a big pipe), have them positioned so its as far back as you can, then pull forward, now remove the belt with free hand from the top of the alternator. pay carefull attention to which way its on, replace the belt, pull the tensioner, put the belt back on alternator.

get the goodyear gatorback belt, its $23.99 at autozone ... if you can get your old one off, take it with you to match the length (don't let them give you one shorter saying "the belt streaches", those days are past, get the same length), then you should be able to put the new one back on, if you need have a buddy come over the help (especially if you got a buddy that works on cars!) good luck

you don't need to pull the motor mount, it wraps under it, at first glance I thought it would have to be pulled too, but it doesn't. you will need a 15mm wrech and a larger wrech to do it (or pipe that fits over the 15mm wrench). It 5 mins work to change it ... $75 seems pretty steep unless it included the belt.

put the box end of the 15mm wrench on the pulley that has a 15mm bolt going thru it (tensioner) (its in front of the motor mount), then put the bigger wrench on the end of the 15mm wrench (or a big pipe), have them positioned so its as far back as you can, then pull forward, now remove the belt with free hand from the top of the alternator. pay carefull attention to which way its on, replace the belt, pull the tensioner, put the belt back on alternator.

get the goodyear gatorback belt, its $23.99 at autozone ... if you can get your old one off, take it with you to match the length (don't let them give you one shorter saying "the belt streaches", those days are past, get the same length), then you should be able to put the new one back on, if you need have a buddy come over the help (especially if you got a buddy that works on cars!) good luck

Thanks everyone!! I got the new belt, and installed it myself! It wasnt even that hard. I had to get the cheaper belt, no one in Columbus had the gatorback belt. And to think I was gonna pay someone $75.00+parts to do it for me. Now that I got my Haynes manual, and a bunch of tools that I don't normally use, maybe i'll get into the engine tomorrow and figure out my "change oil" light will not shut off. Dat damn thing has been on since I had the car:shakehead

Thanks everyone!! I got the new belt, and installed it myself! It wasnt even that hard. I had to get the cheaper belt, no one in Columbus had the gatorback belt. And to think I was gonna pay someone $75.00+parts to do it for me. Now that I got my Haynes manual, and a bunch of tools that I don't normally use, maybe i'll get into the engine tomorrow and figure out my "change oil" light will not shut off. Dat damn thing has been on since I had the car:shakehead


For the change oil light, if you KNOW for sure when your oil was last changed there is a or should be a RESET button on the driver's side fuse compartment .. just open the driver's door wide opena and you'll see the fuse panel and on the backside of the panel should be a sticker which labels everything via on that side ...

Basically just 'RESET' while the car is off and see if that solves ur problems =) :thumbsup:

it is worth paying extra or waiting for the Gaterback belt :(
Other belts tend to squeek, especially when wet.

Oh and you GA does hav the oil reset in the driver fuse box.

it is worth paying extra or waiting for the Gaterback belt :(
Other belts tend to squeek, especially when wet.

Oh and you GA does hav the oil reset in the driver fuse box.


I checked it out online, and it seems to be a really good belt, but I really couldn't wait....Rental car was getin expensive (under 25, so I get charged a lot more). But im gonna go and order it so i'll have it if it decides to break again. And I did find that reset button, so I have no more "change oil" light:grinyes: