sod

iTrader: (1)

Hey guys, TGIF

I recently lost my AC, preceded by a bearing noise. I assumed my compressor was shot, but the dealer tells me I got no AC belt?

They are telling me 3 hours labor to put a new AC belt on?

Anyone know what's involved in replacing this belt?

Thanks!

raven154

iTrader: (14)

Is it possible that the compressor finally locked up and kicked the belt off? FYI, the ac belt is behind the main serpentine. Pull it, and you should be able to worm in there to get a new one on. Pretty self explanatory when you get in there.

sod

iTrader: (1)

I've sure that is exactly what happened.

My dilemma is, however, that I have a 3rd party warranty, that will pay for an AC compressor, but the dealer can't diagnose a bad compressor without putting a belt on it first, & they quoted me $500 to put on an AC belt, so that they could diagnose it.

Anyone have first hand experience replacing the AC belt?

Thanks!

nikon

iTrader: (2)

It's a pain on side mounted motors, but still do able...should'nt take you more than 20-30 minutes...$500 is absurd for 1 belt.

sod

iTrader: (1)

in the interest of maintaining accuracy,

the $500 quote is parts & labor to replace both belts.

That doesn't make it any less absurd though.

Thanks for the info guys, have a good weekend.

54inches

iTrader: (4)

Anyone ever replaced one? I looked at it and was scared! lol

AAIIIC

iTrader: (19)

I've done it before - actually, I replaced the A/C tensioner, and of course put a new belt on at the same time. I don't recall if I pulled the radiator & fans to make access easier; I think I probably did. What I do recall is that the belt was an absolute bitch to get back on. I wasn't sure what length I needed (I have the ATI underdrive damper), so I had two different belts. One was too long and put the tensioner out of range, and the next size down was almost impossible to stretch on there, but put the tensioner where it's supposed to be.

MN_V

iTrader: (5)

I replaced with an OEM AC belt and it was a breeze - I had the radiator off though so I could get to it easily.

branland

iTrader: (2)

I just did mine. I had to roll it on like bike chain. My radiator was out at the time.

jmilz28

iTrader: (13)

Book calls for removing a bunch of ****, including the radiator, which is why the time is high. You multiply that book time by 100+/hour and that $500 starts to look normal. They're not cutting you any slack but not horsef*cking you either. My guess is it wouldn't be much/any more to R&R the compressor since most of the disassembly is already done. Paying to get cars fixed is expensive nowadays. This forum sorta straddles the pay for service and DIY crowds due to the age of the platform. To figure out if something is "fair" or not, for you, you need to know what your time is worth and how long it would take you to do that job. Got to include set up and clean up too. This **** is a PITA and if you don't love it...it's like real work. Can it be done faster with skill and practice? Sure, but it can also go long/sideways. Would I pay $500 for that work right now? Probably not. Have I before and might I again? Yep. What is your time worth, per hour? (rhetorical question BTW)

MN_V

iTrader: (5)

^Perfectly said. In case anyone wondering the V1 does have an AC tensioner for its belt, you don't have to struggle with it like on a V2 which you have to ride on. The V1 AC tensioner is nice.

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

I replaced mine when I replaced the AC compressor... or was it when I replaced the dampener? Either way, the radiator was out at the time which made access very easy. It would be a real PITA with the radiator in place. I also replaced the pulley on the tensioner rather than the tensioner itself. I figured the pulley was more likely to fail and was much cheaper to replace than the actual tensioner. This was done around 170k.

54inches

iTrader: (4)

Thanks guys!!!!!!!