A/C Belt & Acc Belt & Tensioner need to be changed??? :(

[sky_active]

What's up, guys!

Just got my car inspected the other day and got this working order. I have already got the rear trailing arm bushings done.

Just wondering that is it really necessary to get the 2 belts and tensioner replaced as well? Nothing wrong by now with belts as far as I notice. Only have a little tiny ticking noise when start in cold weather and its gone when the car is completed warmed up.

The car just hit 110k kms, the point is that I will only keep this car for another year and dont wanna waste too much on her right now. Changing the belts and tension is also like an arm and legs for me which could cost me like 400 bucks at least. (parts +labour) :bang

Any suggestions guys?

Thanks in advance :rolleyes

heres the pic of the parts order form

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=if5pao&s=5 :(

[sky_active]

http://i44.tinypic.com/if5pao.jpg

[Dave_The_BMXER]

The AC belt is a stretch belt so it's not really reusable.

[Wes08M3]

If the there are no noises related to the belt/tensioner and the tensioner is not seized and the belt is not tearing then I wouldn't bother. Especially if you're only keeping it for a year, if it's not causing any problems don't waste money fixing it.

[sky_active]

The AC belt is a stretch belt so it's not really reusable.

What do u mean by not reusable??? I guess they are changing a new one if I decide to do it. This work order is from the dealership actually... Kind of suspicious theyr trying to selling something:rolleyes

[sky_active]

I'm planning to change the tensioner pulley though the stock's sticky threads someday after to see whether it can kill ticking noise. Just wonder whether it's the same tensioner pulley for the part number. I can't see the whole belts but the top part seems good to me. The tech at the deal told its just the time matters, if u don't change it, u'll do it someday later...


If the there are no noises related to the belt/tensioner and the tensioner is not seized and the belt is not tearing then I wouldn't bother. Especially if you're only keeping it for a year, if it's not causing any problems don't waste money fixing it.

[thesober]

Hey, I need to get my rear trailing arm bushing replaced soon. Do you mind me asking you how much that cost?

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I mean to get to the acc belt they cut off the AC belt.

[sky_active]

Hey, I need to get my rear trailing arm bushing replaced soon. Do you mind me asking you how much that cost?

As you can see from the form, the bushing itself is only like 40 bucks each sold at dealer. The labour is almost 1 hour for each side. I replaced mine at local dealer. 1 hour and half labour each side.

[stock3]

I would not change the belt if it is quiet during cold starts. Once it starts to squeak and you can hear it even when the car is warmed up, that's when I would change it.
Here is how mine looked like at about 140-150k klicks. It definitely needed to be changed.

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv330/krzysiekz1981/My%20Car%20Stuff/2012-04-15102423.jpg (http://s696.photobucket.com/user/krzysiekz1981/media/My%20Car%20Stuff/2012-04-15102423.jpg.html)

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv330/krzysiekz1981/My%20Car%20Stuff/2012-04-15102517.jpg (http://s696.photobucket.com/user/krzysiekz1981/media/My%20Car%20Stuff/2012-04-15102517.jpg.html)

[peterm15]

Granted im not sure about these cars. But I was always taught that belts are a wear part that needs to be changed at a certain km regardless of wether it seems worn.

I once had a belt that was stretched by 3" but still looked good and was running fine.

[sky_active]

I would not change the belt if it is quiet during cold starts. Once it starts to squeak and you can hear it even when the car is warmed up, that's when I would change it.
Here is how mine looked like at about 140-150k klicks. It definitely needed to be changed.

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv330/krzysiekz1981/My%20Car%20Stuff/2012-04-15102423.jpg (http://s696.photobucket.com/user/krzysiekz1981/media/My%20Car%20Stuff/2012-04-15102423.jpg.html)

http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv330/krzysiekz1981/My%20Car%20Stuff/2012-04-15102517.jpg (http://s696.photobucket.com/user/krzysiekz1981/media/My%20Car%20Stuff/2012-04-15102517.jpg.html)


Thanks for the pic. Much appreciate. I would probably keep it as it is right now. If the sound is getting louder or worse, I'll change it later as I would only keep her for another year at most :D

[stock3]

Granted im not sure about these cars. But I was always taught that belts are a wear part that needs to be changed at a certain km regardless of wether it seems worn.

I once had a belt that was stretched by 3" but still looked good and was running fine.

The only thing that I change based on mileage or time is fluids, every other wear item gets changed once it starts developing wear symptoms or reaches the wear limit. Only exception would be the timing belt and TB driven water pump, but thankfully MZ3 doesn't use TB.
If the belt is stretched, but still within the ability of the tensioner to keep proper tension, then everything is within spec. The tensioner even has marks on it indicating when the belt stretched too much.
But that's the thing with maintenance, some people prefer mileage intervals, some just wait untill the part fails and some (like me) know what sypmtoms to look for and change as needed, not because a magic mileage number was hit. To me all methods are fine since this is a free country.