Sent the wife to Big-o tires to get a tire rotation. She came back with this tri-fold card that they put fluid samples on and show you that you need to spend more money with them. Well the card showed that all my fluids were perfect and he said he was so amazed for a vehicle with 180,000 miles. I try to stay on top of them. Any how I asked my wife what they were monkeying around under the hood for anyhow all I wanted was a tire rotation. She said she didn't ask them to they just did it....So a day and a half later my wife said she heard a noise under the hood. I check it out and the clowns left a clip pry bar in there and the handle was rubbing on the serp belt. Took them there tool and they said they will replace the belt. Do I trust them to do that job? How extensive is it to remove and replace and what could they screw up if they are not familiar with cruisers? Also I dont see any damage to the belt, do I dare leave it and drive as is 600 miles to Idaho for thanksgiving?
Tool left in engine compartment SERP BELT?
- Thread starter CarbonCruiser
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- #4
No visible damage doesn't mean that it didn't add excess wear and heat to the belt that may cause premature failure down the road. And then there is the wonder factor, wondering if it did do something.
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- #5
I called them and they claim they will do it themselves and that they are "capable". Do I trust them?
Get in there and DIY.
Requires a 14mm socket and ratchet.
Turn counterclockwise. It loosens the belt.
Here's the vid. It's for TB replacement. At about 7+ minutes in the serpentine belt is being taken off.
They take off radiator, fan shroud, and fan. Not sure if all that is required, but if you can get to that pulley, and turn that nut counterclockwise as in the above pic, then you should be good.
If you have those guys do it you'll have doubts. If you start hearing stuff, then you'll start trippin' on that belt and the work that was done.
DIY or ask if you may take it to Toyota and that you'll bring them back a receipt to be reimbursed. You may have to put money up at front, but at least you'll have less doubts.
Requires a 14mm socket and ratchet.
Turn counterclockwise. It loosens the belt.
Here's the vid. It's for TB replacement. At about 7+ minutes in the serpentine belt is being taken off.
They take off radiator, fan shroud, and fan. Not sure if all that is required, but if you can get to that pulley, and turn that nut counterclockwise as in the above pic, then you should be good.
If you have those guys do it you'll have doubts. If you start hearing stuff, then you'll start trippin' on that belt and the work that was done.
DIY or ask if you may take it to Toyota and that you'll bring them back a receipt to be reimbursed. You may have to put money up at front, but at least you'll have less doubts.
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I just did mine last weekend. Its a ridiculously easy job. You don't have to remove a thing. The guy in the vid approached from the right and pulled up. With nothing removed there is more room to go from the left and push down. Pop it out and follow the sticker on replacement.
I have two vehicles with the 4.7 and both developed a belt chirp or squeel in their life. The bigger concern for me would be quality (oem) replacement.
I have two vehicles with the 4.7 and both developed a belt chirp or squeel in their life. The bigger concern for me would be quality (oem) replacement.
I think you already have your answer about "trust."
I would have them buy you an OEM belt and replace it at your convenience. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it to Idaho if you don't see any freying or splitting or cracks.
I took my 100 to Firestone for the lifetime alignment. They then proceeded to poke holes in my steering boots to "Check for fluid". I ranted and called them out for doing it, to their credit they bought me new OEM Toyota boots and offered to install them. Which I politely declined. Mechanical work is for mechanics. For me that means master Toyota Techs.
I would have them buy you an OEM belt and replace it at your convenience. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it to Idaho if you don't see any freying or splitting or cracks.
I took my 100 to Firestone for the lifetime alignment. They then proceeded to poke holes in my steering boots to "Check for fluid". I ranted and called them out for doing it, to their credit they bought me new OEM Toyota boots and offered to install them. Which I politely declined. Mechanical work is for mechanics. For me that means master Toyota Techs.
Wow poke holes in boots? Thats just insane. I wonder how many times they have done that then tell the customer you got a hole or rip in the boots, and here is how much it cost.
To the OP, they should buy you another belt, but if it were me, I would install it myself and would never return to this place.
Remove radiator just to replace the serpentine belt? Oye!