Oil change shop says alternator belt is cracked

[RMcG]

Thanks to everybody. I looked at the diagram that 06YarisRS sent and then felt around for the belt and I think I can feel pretty well where the belt goes. One of my fears is that i will get the old belt off and then not be able to put the new one on, because I will not be able to figure out how it winds around the various pulleys. But after looking at the diagram, and feeling around I don't think it will be that much of a problem.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:

06YarisRS said: "Because the Yaris has a manual belt tensioner, pay close attention to those parts of the videos."

Is there some kind of belt tensioner tool that I need?

xdarkxfirex said: " Since there is no tensioner, you have to get a pry bar to tighten it while putting tension on it."

What kind of pry bar do I need?

xdarkxfirex said: "If its glazed and has deep cracks on the ribs it needs to be changed."

What do you mean by glazed? The top of the belt (without the ribs) seems pretty smooth.

And how is it possible to look at the ribs for cracks, since the ribs are on the inside of the belt?

Thanks,

RM

[06YarisRS]

Originally Posted by RMcG

Thanks to everybody. I looked at the diagram that 06YarisRS sent and then felt around for the belt and I think I can feel pretty well where the belt goes. One of my fears is that i will get the old belt off and then not be able to put the new one on, because I will not be able to figure out how it winds around the various pulleys. But after looking at the diagram, and feeling around I don't think it will be that much of a problem.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:

06YarisRS said: "Because the Yaris has a manual belt tensioner, pay close attention to those parts of the videos."

Is there some kind of belt tensioner tool that I need?

xdarkxfirex said: " Since there is no tensioner, you have to get a pry bar to tighten it while putting tension on it."

What kind of pry bar do I need?

xdarkxfirex said: "If its glazed and has deep cracks on the ribs it needs to be changed."

What do you mean by glazed? The top of the belt (without the ribs) seems pretty smooth.

And how is it possible to look at the ribs for cracks, since the ribs are on the inside of the belt?

Thanks,

RM

I found a receipt in the glove box of the 08 that I just bought. The previous owner had the belt replaced at Canadian Tire. $95.00 plus tax!!! Even after the belt install, it was squealing. The owner then sprayed belt dressing on it and made the problem worse. I ordered a new belt and will replace it this week. It's not squeaking now as I blasted everything with parts cleaner to get rid of the dressing and clean the pulleys up.

On my 06 Yaris, I replaced the alternator and was amazed at how simple the belt install was. My Kia Sedona, on which I also replaced the alternator, had a much more difficult belt routing as did my Dodge Grand Caravan.

Go for it! You can do this job for probably around $15.00, save a ton of money and feel satisfied that you did it yourself. No special tool is needed, just a ratchet, socket and some kind of prying device. I used a crow bar.

Rant: Most shops will quote you a book time to complete the job which is often grossly inflated. It is an averaged time. The same job on one vehicle may be quick (not rusted fasteners etc) or it may take longer. Either way you pay the same. Actually if it takes longer than the suggested book time, they may well try to charge you more. Independent shops may quote a more fair price. Replacement of one of these belts should really be a 5 minute job. To illustrate, I was quoted 0.5 hours per side (2 sides) to replace the sway bar bushings in my Dodge (I did this annually as it is a design flaw that causes the bushings to go out of round and the sway bar clunks) and I have OCD related to having a quiet car. My best time for replacement was 13 minutes for both sides. Cost to replace at the shop: ~$90.00 (labour) + ~$30.00 (parts) + ~$10.00 ("shop supplies") + ~$19.50 (tax) = ~$149.50. DIY: $12.00 for OEM bushings from Ebay. It's all about the psychology. You drive in to a shop and your vehicle is clunking. You drive out and it's nice a quiet. "Hey, what's $149.00? That was cheap. It could have been a lot more."

...End of rant

Go DIY, save a fortune, get to know your vehicle and feel good! Plus, you get well-deserved bragging rights.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by RMcG

Thanks to everybody. I looked at the diagram that 06YarisRS sent and then felt around for the belt and I think I can feel pretty well where the belt goes. One of my fears is that i will get the old belt off and then not be able to put the new one on, because I will not be able to figure out how it winds around the various pulleys. But after looking at the diagram, and feeling around I don't think it will be that much of a problem.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS:

06YarisRS said: "Because the Yaris has a manual belt tensioner, pay close attention to those parts of the videos."

Is there some kind of belt tensioner tool that I need?

xdarkxfirex said: " Since there is no tensioner, you have to get a pry bar to tighten it while putting tension on it."

What kind of pry bar do I need?

xdarkxfirex said: "If its glazed and has deep cracks on the ribs it needs to be changed."

What do you mean by glazed? The top of the belt (without the ribs) seems pretty smooth.

And how is it possible to look at the ribs for cracks, since the ribs are on the inside of the belt?

Thanks,

RM

Go to the Gates website and order their belt wear checker, a very simple device. And free. Also you can read their theories about belts and belt wear and replacement.