greg0723

The dealer is changing my water pump whih is leakng and covered under warranty. They called and the lady said my drive belt is cracked. I repeated what she said back to her and she said yes your serpentine belt. I thought we had a timing chain? Or are these parts two different things?

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

two completely different things.

A timing belt, which the car doesn't have, controls timing of an engines valves

A serpentine belt drives mechanical engine accessories (which ones depend on the car since some cars have electric ones instead of belt driven ones, but it's often things like the alternator and AC compressor.

the good news is on most cars a timing belt replacement is like a couple hundred in parts that takes $500-$1000 in labor to replace.

A serp. belt is usually a $20 part you can replace in a few minutes with a socket or wrench.

greg0723

Thanks for the reply said it cost 120 with labor

Hoac

I would try doing it yourself. Haven't done it on my IS yet but i've done it alot on other cars, Toyotas BMW Cadalliac and they are all slightly different, same install and super easy

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Tell them you'll do it for $100 even, since they'll already be in there removing the water pump. Don't accept their first price as the final offer. Everything is negotiable.

Jeff Lange

iTrader: (1)

There should be 0 labour. The belt is off for the water pump. You should be paying for the part only, which should be under $50.

Jeff

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

Yeah. Don't for labor!!

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

This.


I could see $120 if you were only doing the belt, as they're likely charging 30-60 minutes of labor (despite it only taking 5)....but in that case I'd say buy one online for 20-30 bucks and do it yourself.

But the belt is already off to do the work they are doing, the only "labor" is the exact same reinstall of the belt they'd do for free if you didn't buy a new belt.

misterhu

To echo what Kurtz said, they shouldn't charge you labor for installing the belt. The serpentine belt runs the water pump, so when you replace the water pump that belt has to come off anyways. They would have to install a belt, new or not, as they re-install the water pump. That belt shouldn't be more than 20 bucks online.

greg0723

ahhh darn it already got it done. sorry guys i just got back online and saw this. wish i knew this before.

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

then YOU got JACKED!!!! Don't post something if you make the decision and we tried helping you quickly. Oh well Lesson learned!

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

Damn, another one gets jacked by the dealer

Bundy

anyone know when the alternator belt needs replacing?

allst4r

iTrader: (7)

hehe this makes me laugh.. he got it fix thats all that matters..

Sffd103

iTrader: (16)

when it's cracked/worn or if you're replacing something that requires you to remove it ( piece of mind).