I pretty much did my own 30k mile service last summer and at the time, the serpintine belt didn't look worn or any thing. Now it is close to 50k miles with the original belt. With new technology with the serpintine belts, it wears and strethes before cracks will be seen.
So the question is, how can I check if it needs to be replaced?

 

Recommended replacement interval for serpentine belt is every 30K miles.

 

"I don't know the recommended replacement interval (no access to the manual at the moment) but belts should be replaced at a specified mileage interval and not when they start to show wear. I'm coming up on 50K myself and will replace it soon."

Who replied this? who ever it was, contradicted themself. hahahah

the reply showed up on my email, but came here to check it, it was gone.

 

I posted it. Then I got home and RTFM.

 

Just got my serpintine belt replaced at a Nissan dealer for $145, parts and labor. Save approximately $40 versus going to Infiniti dealer. Service guy said it could have lasted for another 10-20k miles, so that would put it at 60-70k miles before it needs repacement. Double the life recomended by the service manual.

 

How much did the belt cost?

 

$45 for the belt and $99 for their 15 minutes of labor.

 

yea but if that belt snaps, no amount of money is worth that.
You will have a seized motor,possibly damage the internals.
just think that belt handles everything,i wouldn't play around with that.
just had mine done eventhough i could have went longer,not worth the headache.

 

You got raped if it's 15 minutes worth of labor and you got charged for an hour. But I can understand that sometimes there are some things that you can do yourself that it's easier to pay someone else to do (for some reason I HATE doing brakes even though it's not that hard). This may be one of them where it's worth $99 for you to not have to go through the trouble.

Thanks for the info.

 

I would gladly do it myself, but wasn't sure if I can get my hands in there and where the tension mount is located. If some one can give some instructions, I'll do it at my 100K mile service.

 

Ironically your perception on this topic doesn't match your name "Risky Guy". LOL. You're not that risky of a guy at all.

 

That would not happen unless you drive for a while after the belt snaps. What does the belt operate? Water pump, alternator, power steering pump? If these systems fail, the engine is not going to instantly blow up. The engine would get electricity from the battery, the steering would get very stiff, and water temp would increase but not instantly. You'd have enough time to pull over or maybe even get to a service station depending on how far you are from one.