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Recently I started to hear a little bit of a whine from my tensioner pulley. Today as I was driving to work, my LS 460 started making a flapping sound under the hood. So I scheduled a lunch appointment w/my dealer. On the way over my serpentine failed. The dealer diagnosed the damage and said I needed a new waterpump, tensioner pulley and crankshaft front seal (as well as the replacement belt) for a grand total of $1630. Ouch! I wasn't convinced that the crankshaft seal and waterpump would've been damaged, but the mech explained that the loss of the belt probably ruined it and he showed me oil all over the place and bits of serpentine in the seal. So I guess it was true. Anyone else have this experience? How much did it cost to repair?
Looking at my repair log, my DIY repair cost : Belt $30, Belt tensioner $140 and idler pulley $40. I could have gotten them cheaper if I got Dayco parts. The "Lexus oem parts" has a Dayco stamp on them ! It was very easy to change with basic tools and a skilled mechanic can do it in 30 minutes tops. Putting the belt back was the only challenge for me. I'd get those changed first before agreeing to the other work. I doubt a broken belt would damage anything.
Sorry, but the car gives you fair warning that the belt or belt tensioner is failing. Mine would squeak at start up and go away after warm up. I changed the belt first which stopped the noise for a few months. If the noise comes back then it is definitely the tensioner.
**Also who ever is doing the work, make them aware of the frail tube on top of the radiator. The hose runs into the fill/overflow tank. It will break off when they are reaching down and lean on it to do the repairs. It almost seem unavoidable unless they have makeshift cover to put over it to protect it while they work. You will need a new radiator if It breaks which the stealership I guestimate will charge you $800 to do. They won't cover the cost because if it breaks off that easily then the radiator was on it way to failing. I see from your profile you have a 2008 so 10 years is a decent life span for a radiator.
Update: Now they're also saying that the AC compressor locked up and wanting to replace it for an additional $840.
@RussLS460 - the car has about 205K miles. They replaced the serpentine (purchased by me separately) a few months ago, when they were repairing my radiator overflow tube that someone had broken off and epoxied back on, after the epoxy failed. ~:^<
Not sure where you are in GA but if you are in the Atlanta area take it to T3 and let them handle it.
I've used them for several cars over the years and they do good work.
I've only used the South Cobb store but they have a location somewhere near Decatur as well.
T3 Atlanta
Smyrna Auto Repair
Located at 5322 South Cobb Drive,
Smyrna, GA 30080
Phone: (404) 794-7700
Website: www.t3atlanta.com
You know dealership service advisors work on commission right? Sounds to me like he thinks you're willing to give them a blank check so why not pile on. I know there are plenty of reputable advisors out there and I'm stereotyping, however there's no way I'm taking their word for all of those failures without some sort of confirmation. You need to find a good independent shop you can trust and stay away from the dealer because that isn't the place to take a 10 year old car.
Was your AC working before this happened? Did the belt snap or did it fall off due to a bad tensioner? If the belt snapped then it could be a seized Ac compressor.
Get your car out of there, buy the 3 parts I mentioned above and have someone put them in. There is no way a belt failure would cause all these problems instantly. Your repair expense so far is nearly as much as a timing belt breaking on some cars,
12-10-18, 02:49 PM
Blown serpentine costs
