S-Belt

[mjrkong]

Hi. Just need a little help.

My Camry: 1998 w/ 56k

Car is in the shop for inspection. Mechanic called and said everything looked really good.
His only "recommendation" was that there are some cracks in the Serpentine belt and
that I might want to consider changing it. Cost - $150.00

I have never looked at the belt so don't know what it looks like. The fellow did not
say it was a must do, just a recommendation. Would it be best just to get it done?

Any thoughts?

[ghettosled]

150 is a bit steep but if it is starting to crack, i would replace it. it may last another year or two depending on how much cracking there is, but if it does break then the car will stall shortly after. is it worth saving the money and risk being stuck somewhere down the road or spending the money now and having the belt be good for the next 8 years?

[sundarpn]

150 is too much.

For my gen5 (2002 camry) dealer said $119.

I know i can get the belt for like 35 odd bucks and get it installed at a shop for another 30 to 40 bucks max.

[Mike Gerber]

Is this a 4 cylinder or V6 engine? The 4 cylinder does not have a serpentine belt. It has 2 drive belts, but it shouldn't be anywhere near $150 to change them both. I can't say whether the V6 engine uses a serpentine belt or not.

Mike

[toyomoho]

A quality after market belt is around $13. You don't want to be stuck on the road if it breaks, but the price does seem high given the time required.

[mazdaverx7]

i'd buy it yourself and replace it. and this is a good example of why i do all of my own work.

[marc780]

$150 for serpentine belt? Check your quote, who in their right mind would pay that.

I'd do it myself no matter what tools i had to buy to do it.

[timebuilder]

I've only had one cup of coffee, but is it possible you missed something in that recommendation?

Perhaps he said, "I recommend changing the timing belt, and since I have to remove the serpentine belt to do it, we'll change that too?"

Maybe $150 is the total cost with inspection and a couple of other repairs?

Heck, for $150 I'll travel from Philly to Richmond and install a serp belt myself, lol!