Serpentine belt replacement

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Jun 20, 2023 | 12:38 PM

Bocatrip

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Serpentine belt replacement

After 13 years of ownership, and 165,000 on the clock, I have not changed my serpentine belt. I purchased the car with 98,000 miles, putting on approximately 67,000 miles. Upon inspection the belt looks fine with no hair line cracking or glazing. Is there a specific time to replace the serpentine belt on our cars, if for no other reason than to be proactive and avoid failure?

Jun 20, 2023 | 01:14 PM

Romanova

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From: TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bocatrip

Probably fine for awhile. Belts are cheap though and it's always a good time to do the pulley and the tensioner when you do it at that mileage. OEM only for the pulley and tensioner, pretty much whatever you want for the belt. A lof of belts are just reboxed OEM-quality belts.

Jun 20, 2023 | 03:13 PM

bradland

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From: 565 St Peter NOLA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanova

The tensioner pulley is easily replaced but the tensioner itself is a fairly deep dive.
Not a huge deal if you're doing the work yourself but if you're paying someone it's prob better to wait and include it in a timing belt service.

Jun 20, 2023 | 03:36 PM

TominPT

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From: WA

I replaced the original serpentine belt in my 1998 LS400 a few months ago at 146000 miles- and it also looked fine but OEM belts are not expensive so I replaced it. I left everything else alone as nothing is making any noise and tensioner seems good.

Jun 21, 2023 | 09:19 AM

Bocatrip

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bradland

Good to know about tensioner. I won’t be ready for a timing belt until around 180,000 miles or another 2 years. It seems that I have time. Thanks for the info.

Jun 21, 2023 | 01:15 PM

Romanova

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From: TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradland

Looking at the Car Care Nut's recent videos, seems like it's just the passenger side top cover and the alternator has to come out. I wonder is this is doable with the radiator in place because I believe it was removed in his video.

I've got a one one sitting in my garage but I'm waiting for cooler weather before I tackle it and a few other items...

Jun 21, 2023 | 07:06 PM

bradland

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From: 565 St Peter NOLA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanova

I'm enjoying The Car Care Nuts videos as well.
I replaced my tensioner approx 5 years ago on my '99 400 so the details aren't exactly fresh in my mind. When I did the work I'd replaced three UZ timing belts so not unknown territory.
I dove in thinking it would be fairly quick. When I was done I just remember being amazed how much had to be removed to get it out.
The 400 is slightly different than the 430. The 430 PS pump was moved over a bit and there's a small coolant line running towards the center of the pulley area on the 400.
IIRC the water inlet is also different. If you've done an LS timing belt service you know the timing covers and surrounding parts have to come off and go back on in a particular sequence.
You basically work down the front of the motor in layers. If you're going to tackle it give yourself plenty of time just in case. I think I'd pull the radiator first considering how easily it comes out.