My dying Serpentine Belt?
12-09-2007, 03:31 PM
#1
wants an I35
Thread Starter
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Delray Beach, FL
Posts: 3,284
My dying Serpentine Belt?
yesterday i changed my oil.
ive changed it before by simply bending that black plastic shielding out of the way enough to get at the filter and drain plug. but when i did it on saturday i decided id do it the right way and remove that panel.
so i undid the two metal screws and two plastic screws and got it off. immediately i noticed that this belt, which seems pretty big, connecting with a variety of tensioners, is very badly cracked.
i assumed it was my serpentine belt, but im not 100% sure.
here are the pics (from the wheel well of my front passenger side)
is this the serpentine belt? if not, what does it control?
judging from its current condition, how long do i have before this thing comes apart?
if it comes apart while im driving, do i risk damaging anything else ? (in the same way a broken timing belt will destory your engine...) is this a huge priority item?
how much would i be looking at for having it replaced at the dealership/local mechanics?
is there any way to prolong its life right now? cuz currently im broke and going to remain so until 2008.
anything else worth mentioning?
thanks
ive changed it before by simply bending that black plastic shielding out of the way enough to get at the filter and drain plug. but when i did it on saturday i decided id do it the right way and remove that panel.
so i undid the two metal screws and two plastic screws and got it off. immediately i noticed that this belt, which seems pretty big, connecting with a variety of tensioners, is very badly cracked.
i assumed it was my serpentine belt, but im not 100% sure.
here are the pics (from the wheel well of my front passenger side)
is this the serpentine belt? if not, what does it control?
judging from its current condition, how long do i have before this thing comes apart?
if it comes apart while im driving, do i risk damaging anything else ? (in the same way a broken timing belt will destory your engine...) is this a huge priority item?
how much would i be looking at for having it replaced at the dealership/local mechanics?
is there any way to prolong its life right now? cuz currently im broke and going to remain so until 2008.
anything else worth mentioning?
thanks
12-09-2007, 03:39 PM
#3
If you have the ability to search on here, there are numerous guidelines on how to change your belts. Please do...google is your friend also. I am not familiar on removal/installation on the 97's so be patient and someone here will help. I priced mine testerday at a Nissan dealership and it was only $20. Autozone, Advanced, Oreilly's might have them also. Yours looks pretty worn out...I would recommend getting it changed soon. More people will comment on the current condition and tell you their opinions on it. Good Luck
12-09-2007, 03:40 PM
#4
that is the AC/ altentor belt, there is a smaller 2nd belt that would be the power steering.
It is not a pricey item to buy or get done, nor is it hard to do.
The belts are like about $15 a belt from nissan, and .5 hours to do it at the shop which is about $75.
On the other hand since you do your own oil changes, i'm sure you can do this, as all it really is, loosen the tensioner, push up the tensioner pull the belt off and reverse steps. We have a great write up, its in the stickies, general maint, look on the 1st post for the 60k service it is there. $15 bucks if you want to do it yourself or a $100 bucks no worries. That belt alone should take a person with 1/2 a clue 10 mins to do,
It is not a pricey item to buy or get done, nor is it hard to do.
The belts are like about $15 a belt from nissan, and .5 hours to do it at the shop which is about $75.
On the other hand since you do your own oil changes, i'm sure you can do this, as all it really is, loosen the tensioner, push up the tensioner pull the belt off and reverse steps. We have a great write up, its in the stickies, general maint, look on the 1st post for the 60k service it is there. $15 bucks if you want to do it yourself or a $100 bucks no worries. That belt alone should take a person with 1/2 a clue 10 mins to do,
12-09-2007, 07:45 PM
#9
alot of people buy new belts, loosen the belt tensioner to loosen the idler pulley, then replace the belt, and then they cant set it to the right measurement and then all you hear is a herd of crickets under your hood
is i guess what i was trying to say
is i guess what i was trying to say
12-10-2007, 07:29 AM
#10
Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: South Shore, L.I.
Posts: 47
just changed my belt this past weekend. only pain in the *** because the supercharger had to come off. but it was in terrible condition. and like everyone said it's definitely your serpentine belt, the smaller, 4 ribbed belt is your power steering. definitely change both of them while you're down there.
12-10-2007, 12:17 PM
#12
For your first time, it will probably take you 1 hour. Very simple procedure.
No need for a torque wrench, just a 14mm socket, ratchet, and extension.
If you don't have a Haynes by now, I advise you to pick one up when you buy your belt at Autozone etc. or download the FSM for free. (hint. hint)
To adjust the belt tension when you're done, you...........
read the section in the Haynes/downloaded FSM. 
Do it!!
12-10-2007, 01:22 PM
#13
My tensioner pulley blew up 300 miles from home... Belts, 14mm wrench, 14mm socket with extension and rachet. Did it in a parking lot with the jack from the trunk. 30min, some dirty clothes, but drivable to get home.
Dr J
Dr J
to the Wizz
12-11-2007, 03:35 AM
#16
Do yourself a favor and replace your other belts with this one. It's only alittle more effort and $ but can save you time due to a busted belt later.
Also, after replacing your belts, double check the tension (they sometimes loosen) after you have driven a few days. Make sure the nuts are torqued correctly and the belts have the correct deflection.
Standard maintanence...you should check your belts with each oil change. Good luck!
Also, after replacing your belts, double check the tension (they sometimes loosen) after you have driven a few days. Make sure the nuts are torqued correctly and the belts have the correct deflection.
Standard maintanence...you should check your belts with each oil change. Good luck!
12-11-2007, 08:29 AM
#17
I agree, but changing the PS belt is quit a bit more involved (more tools too), especially based on ROCKART's assumed skill level. Doable, but that will add hours to the job for a first timer. If the PS belt is ok, leave it alone IMO. If bad, then of course replace it.
12-11-2007, 03:49 PM
#20
Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Coram, NY
Posts: 64
I don't know how common it is, but I've actually had the serpentine belt track separate from the crank...pulley? in your pictures your can see there's a little rubber ring between the pulley track and the part that bolts to the crank (which is NOT a harmonic balancer). easy to check though, when you get the belt off just pull the pulley towards you a little, if it moves, replace it.
just a suggestion cause it looks like the rubber was a little cracked in your picture
btw, I've gone 70 miles without an alternator, but that's highway with a bad battery, so if you've got a good battery I don't see why you wouldn't be able to make it where ever you need to go to get a belt if it brakes.
just a suggestion cause it looks like the rubber was a little cracked in your picture
btw, I've gone 70 miles without an alternator, but that's highway with a bad battery, so if you've got a good battery I don't see why you wouldn't be able to make it where ever you need to go to get a belt if it brakes.
12-12-2007, 01:27 AM
#21
Dr J
12-18-2007, 05:40 AM
#25
12-21-2007, 05:17 AM
#29
wants an I35
Thread Starter
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Delray Beach, FL
Posts: 3,284
im doing it tomorrow morning before my local shop opens. ill let you know.
frankly im not too worried about it; worse case scenario - we dont install it right and it comes off and my battery dies. thats it.
frankly im not too worried about it; worse case scenario - we dont install it right and it comes off and my battery dies. thats it.
12-21-2007, 08:51 AM
#33
Yes, you need stands.....because you should never rely on a jack only.
For your first time, it will probably take you 1 hour. Very simple procedure.
No need for a torque wrench, just a 14mm socket, ratchet, and extension.
If you don't have a Haynes by now, I advise you to pick one up when you buy your belt at Autozone etc. or download the FSM for free. (hint. hint)
To adjust the belt tension when you're done, you........... read the section in the Haynes/downloaded FSM. Do it!!
For your first time, it will probably take you 1 hour. Very simple procedure.
No need for a torque wrench, just a 14mm socket, ratchet, and extension.
If you don't have a Haynes by now, I advise you to pick one up when you buy your belt at Autozone etc. or download the FSM for free. (hint. hint)
To adjust the belt tension when you're done, you...........
read the section in the Haynes/downloaded FSM. Do it!!Ahem
Fine, we'll continue to spoodfeed you unit you either fork up $18 for a Haynes or download the FREE FSM
A quick search and you would have found your answer......
http://forums.maxima.org/showpost.ph...1&postcount=12
And your comfortable with your mechanic not knowing? It's his job to know, or where to find out on his own.
Good luck, hope all goes well.
12-21-2007, 11:30 AM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 888
I already bought the belts, 2 belts, both NISSAN OEM.
I also read through the stickies but have no idea. I suppose I'm hoping for a more specific write up. It seems pretty easy to do?
So theres just 2 bolts I have to loosen? Once I do that I can just change BOTH belts at the same time and tighten?
Thanks
I also read through the stickies but have no idea. I suppose I'm hoping for a more specific write up. It seems pretty easy to do?
So theres just 2 bolts I have to loosen? Once I do that I can just change BOTH belts at the same time and tighten?
Thanks
Last edited by FishyMan; 12-21-2007 at 11:36 AM.
12-21-2007, 04:34 PM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 888
I already did BOOKMARK the stickies and I have used it numerous times already for my previous maintenance. I mean if I understood it that easy, I don't think I would need to ask.
Thanks.
12-21-2007, 04:56 PM
#38
Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 61
i believe it is. you can see the metallic slivers inside a cracking belt. didnt take my mechanic friend to replace them. course ever since he did it, they arent factory tight so they make a little squeaky noise until they warm up and expand to fit i guess.
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