Go Back   986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners > Porsche Boxster & Cayman Forums > Boxster General Discussions

Post Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-09-2010, 04:35 PM   #1
Registered User
 
KevinH1990's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,658
Cost to Replace Serpentine Belt

My brother helped me replace my serpentine belt yesterday. (He pushed down on the breaker bar to create some slack while I removed the old belt and installed the new one.)

When we were finished, he surveyed the parts I had strewn across the garage while disassembling the interior of the car to access the front of the engine. I changed the air filter at the same time, so the rear engine cover was off too.

He asked me "How much did you really save by doing this yourself." (He doesn't understand that I don't mind working on my car when the particular procedure isn't too frustrating.)

To be honest, I don't really know. I'd like to think I saved at least an hour of labor. I bought the belt along with a cache of parts from a forum member who had sold his car so I can't say exactly what I paid for it.

Has anyone had the dealer to do this recently and know the cost?

Thanks

__________________
2000 Arctic Silver/Black, Hard Top, On Board Computer
PNP Rear Speakers, HAES 6-Channel Amp, Avic Z140BH,
Painted Bumperettes, 2004 (OEM) Top, Homelink integrated in dash with Targa switch, 997 Shifter, Carrera Gauge Cluster with silver gauge faces, heated 12-way driver & 8-way passenger seats, Litronics, silver console
KevinH1990 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2010, 05:11 PM   #2
Registered User
 
Johnny Danger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,810
Garage
You can bet that any dealership would have "massaged" this job to get at least a couple of hours out of it. Last I knew, dealerships were getting somewhere around $115 per hour. With that said, putting aside the price of parts, it would have cost you somewhere around $230 . Next time buy your brother a 12 pack and tell him to put a "sock in it".
__________________
Don't worry … I've got the microfilm.

Last edited by Johnny Danger; 11-09-2010 at 06:09 PM.
Johnny Danger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2010, 05:45 PM   #3
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Novi Mi.
Posts: 194
I do not know, I did mine in the office parking lot that is where it came apart. I fixed it in 15 Min. and paid $ 29.00 for the new belt.

It was the easyiest belt I have ever changed.
jbs986 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2010, 06:49 PM   #4
Registered User
 
KevinH1990's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,658
Thanks for the replies.

The dealer probably wouldn't have been willing to install the discount-priced belt I had. So, I'll tell my brother I saved $250. I already had a 24mm socket, so I didn't have to buy any tools.

This is a relatively simple job if anyone else is considering it. jbs986 was a little quicker than me - I always triple-check everything I do on the Boxster. But I think a skilled and confident DIYer could do the job in 15 minutes.

Now I'm building up my nerve to replace the spark plugs and the O rings on the spark plug tubes. I already replaced a coil pack, so I have the basic procedure for accessing the spark plugs in my repertoire.
__________________
2000 Arctic Silver/Black, Hard Top, On Board Computer
PNP Rear Speakers, HAES 6-Channel Amp, Avic Z140BH,
Painted Bumperettes, 2004 (OEM) Top, Homelink integrated in dash with Targa switch, 997 Shifter, Carrera Gauge Cluster with silver gauge faces, heated 12-way driver & 8-way passenger seats, Litronics, silver console
KevinH1990 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2010, 03:05 AM   #5
Registered User
 
tonycarreon's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Frederick, MD
Posts: 1,396
$250 sounds about right.

i replaced my spark plugs last year - first time i'd ever replaced a spark plug. fairly straight forward. the hardest part was dealing with the limited amount of space.

my spark plug thread
__________________
"Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary... that's what gets you."
tonycarreon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-10-2010, 11:40 AM   #6
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Arvada, CO
Posts: 229
Spark plugs on this car are easy in comparison to some of the others I have done over the years.

Some examples:

2001 PT Cruiser - Have to remove the upper intake manifold to gain access to the center 2 spark plugs.

1992 Camry V6 - Rear bank requires having long slender arms, and small hands to be slightly easier. I have long, thick arms, and large hands. Wasn't easy.

1992 Buick Park Avenue - Rear bank requires climbing over the engine, reaching into the abyss, and fighting with one spark plug boot that likes to tear off on the spark plug if you don't change the plugs once a year.

1981 Pontiac Grand Prix - Bank on the passenger side has the rear cylinder pointed towards the rear of the car, and the housing for the a/c unit interfering with access. You will tear your knuckles, each and every time.

1990 Chevy Lumina V6 (car) - Worst engine on the planet to change the spark plugs on. Intake manifold and firewall interfere with access to the rear bank. Front bank is blocked by the radiator fan. No. I won't change your spark plugs. Take your car someplace else, mom.

BC.
__________________
Its not how fast you go, or how expensive your toys are.
Its all about how big your smile is at the end of the day that truly matters.

'98 Silver Boxster, '08 Ducati 848, '89 Honda Hawk GT, '89 Honda Pacific Coast
Bladecutter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 02:28 AM   #7
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Singapore
Posts: 228
The plugs are easy if you can jack up the car and am familiar with what's there....

I watched my mechanic changed the plugs from underneath the car (car hoist up) and he was basically doing it by feel (he's a big guy with big arms/hands). Not difficult but a bit tedious with 6 to do...
shlim8 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 04:18 AM   #8
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Chicago suburbs
Posts: 1,675
I suppose the belt is another item that should be changed due to age, not mileage? I'm making a list of maintenance items since my car will be nine years old next spring, but only shows 19k miles on the clock.
__________________
JGM
2002 Boxster S
1973 911 Green FrankenMeanie
PCA DE Instructor circa '95
jmatta is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-11-2010, 05:59 AM   #9
SoK
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: NKY
Posts: 211
Quote:
Originally Posted by jmatta
I suppose the belt is another item that should be changed due to age, not mileage? I'm making a list of maintenance items since my car will be nine years old next spring, but only shows 19k miles on the clock.
Care to share with me? Mine is 9 years with 40k on the clock. Had a lot of seals/gaskets replaced already with the AOS and waterpump set for next year.

Is there a walkthrough/DIY guide for changing the belt?

SoK is offline   Reply With Quote
Post Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:10 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page