So, I went to the dealer today to spend $180 on the fuel cut TSB...thats obviously no use to me since I'm at 65K on my 2K SE, but the acceleration lurking thing was just getting obnoxious.

I'm going to go pick it up now, but the service personell has told me that I "desperately" need new drive belts. He told me it would be about $200 for a new alternator belt/AC compressor belt, and the power steering belt.

Has anyone done this? I did a search and found one nice post of the power steering pump belt replacement. I'm no expert, but I've been able to replace my own brakes, rotors, throttle manifold cleaning, etc. Please help!! I don't want to give these guys any more money than I should and I know its a rip for $200.

 

The belts are less than $25, $175 labor charge would be about 3 hours labor. I've never changed mine yet but I'm going to at least try before I pay that kind of money. I think they are accessable thru the passenger side wheel well. I'm about as mechanically inclined as you are and I don't think it's that difficult.

 

Replacing belts should be relatively easy. However, getting the proper tension is important. I'd check a car that just had this done, or a very low mileage unit, to see how far the belts deflect from their path.
It's generally a "feel" thing and most shops I know don't use a belt tensioner to check this measurment.
Too loose they spin and squeal -- Too tight excess wear on the pulleys.

 

Isn't 65K still early for drive belts? I had 80+K on my max and I beat the hell out of. It was boosted too..

 

The outside drive belt is cake, there is a 14mm nut on the idler pulley to be loosened then loosen the adjuster nut ontop of idler pulley and the pulley slides up to release the belt.Once off the pwr steering belt has two bolts one loosens the adjuster and the other tightens the pulley. You can get to both belts from underneath if the car is up on ramps its easier you just have to pull back some of the plastic shields. I paid about $17 for the drive belt I didnot replace the ps belt because it was done just before I bought the car. Hope this helps.