Good Morning CL,
About 2 weeks ago i started noticing that there was a high pitched whistling noise and took it to the dealership and they said they werent sure but they would start at the drive belt. They quoted me 180 for them to change it so i declined.
Ok so the noise has gotten worst and its a really high screech now. So i'm going to buy a drive belt and have a mechanic change it. I would order from sewell but the sounds so bad that i'm just going to pick it up at advanced auto parts today after work. This is the only one they have (http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/web...RPBELTAMS_____) , i was wondering if people can give me their opinion on it, should i just get this today or order from sewell and wait? Also how much should i be paying a mechanic to replace a drive belt? I've heard that it's a small and quick job. With that said does anyone know any fair mechanics in boston?

 

Its probably your accessory belt that drives your alternator, power steering and A/C. it probably gets worse if you turn on your A/C or worse in the morning when you first start up your car. It's probably just loose.

Most competent shops can replace this part if you aren't mechanic savvy. The belt itself is $40 from autozone if you wanted to replace it and it would probably only take a mechanic 30 mins to do it.

Good luck.

 

if you dont trust any local shops get a quote from toyota. it's usually cheaper than lexus and they do a good job for me.

 

You wanted an opinion on the Advance Auto belt.... its "fine" and will serve the purpose of replacing your tired old belt. Dont expect it to last 75k miles but I would use it in your situation. Labor should be 1 hour tops from a mechanic (more like 30mins). You can always buy a gates or oem belt in a year to replace this one if it gives you OCD.

 

I got a quote from a mechanic and he wants $50. Lexus wants $180. So im saving myself $90. And hopefully that will solve the noise problem.

 

You can rent the tools from Autozone to change it yourself for free. It's just a 10 minute job. But $50 sounds about right though and worth it if you're scared to do it.

 

Well I would love to do it myself, but yea way too scared. Didn't see any videoes either.

 

I'm pretty sure I saw a DIY thread on this a while back...should have step by step instructions.

 

imo, oem would be better to choose and then diy, if you know how. having an oem part feels much better.

 

Its only about $30 from Sewell. I did it in about 10 minutes with some help from the forum and my gf.

 

These cars have an electric steering rack...

 

You don't need special tools. A regular socket (17mm I believe) to release the belt tension and remove the old belt. Then, install the new one.

 

Well I've changed my belt, hopefully the noise will subdue...

 

I had a water pump bearing crack on me so when the dealer replaced it labor free. they also found the drive belt was glazed (which was half the noises I was hearing). They charged me only for the belt but the labor was free since they had to take out the belt to reach the water pump bearing anyway.

The dealer only charged me $40 for the belt.

 

Let us know if your issue was resolved. My first thought was the bearings on the water pump going out. If the noise is still there, that's where I'd look next.