When to Replace Drive Belt and Tensioner ??

[jason18631]

Hi All
I have 1999 Corolla going on 86K miles. I had gone for an oil change and the dealer has asked me to get the drive belt and tensioner replaced.

That is going to cost me around $400 bucks including labor charges. Could anyone suggest how to check for a damaged drive belt and tensioner and when to replace it.

Thank you for your time in advance.

J

[freakinbox]

cracks are a good think to look for, chunks from the groves missing, if the belt has spots where it's more narrow then others. Tensioner typically gets replaced with the belt

[motopasta]

if your belt makes a skeeching noise (moslty startup) then yu have to replace the belt. If after you replace it makes still noise then the tensioner is not pulling enough. Keep the new belt and installa a new tensioner.

But if the car is making no noise AND if the visual inspection of the belt (cracks, tears, whatever) is satisfactory you DONT need to change anything just because you have 80K miles.

[Papa Bear]

I recently replaced my belt on my '98 with 100k miles and it was ready for it, quite cracked when I got it off and turned it inside out. Don't change the whole tensioner assy., just change the idler roller. Get a belt at AZ or NAPA etc and they will have the idler roller also. Shouldn't be more than about $40 for the set. Any mechanic or DIY'r can change these parts in 10-15 min. My $0.02

P.B.

[jason18631]

Thank you all for your replies.
There is no screeching noise during startup. Car still runs smooth. I will check for cracks or tears on the belt first and see if it needs to be really changed.
Thank you.
J

[diver9000]

Its not difficult to do yourself. If you know even just a little about engines you should be able to do this. I would get a repair manual and purchase the necessary parts from the local auto parts store. That is crazy for you to pay someone $400 for that. You could buy the parts, the actual shop manual (from toyota), the tools to do the job and still have some left over.

[lexusk8]

From my experience in my previous car (Lexus ES300), the only tools I needed were a socket wrench with 12mm and 14mm sizes, and an extension for the wrench. Me being a non-mechanic but a dedicated self-learner, it took me half an hour to remove the old belt and install a new one. The new drive belt was a Goodyear Gatorback, purchased from Advance Auto Parts.

[dgoodhue]

Originally Posted by lexusk8

From my experience in my previous car (Lexus ES300), the only tools I needed were a socket wrench with 12mm and 14mm sizes, and an extension for the wrench. Me being a non-mechanic but a dedicated self-learner, it took me half an hour to remove the old belt and install a new one. The new drive belt was a Goodyear Gatorback, purchased from Advance Auto Parts.

In my past expereince with Toyota's, you can do a lot with just 10/12/14. I pulled a motor in my Supra, I think the only two other socket I use are 17 & 19. On working on my GMC, I use every socket from 7 to 20mm except 9mm, in addition a few english sizes.