It's a VERY simple job to replace it - but you will need a box or combination wrench to "unload" the tensioner (lift it away from the belt) so that you can slip the old one off and put the new one on. It can literally be done in just a few minutes. The only complications are that you may need three hands to hold it in place while you slip it over all pf the pulleys, idlers, and under the tensioner. If you are good at routine maintenance like oil changes, you *should* be able to do it yourself if you have the wrench and find the correct routing (as someone else said - likely under the hood on a sticker - though *some* belts have the routing on the back of the sleeve that belt comes in) You WILL need to tell the counterman at the parts store the year, make, model -AND- the engine size/type and if you have A/C.
You *should* be able to have the belt installed for less than 1/2 hour of shop time Labor rates vary with where you are the shop, and how nice the folks there are.
You don't "need" to replace the tensioner every time you replace a belt. Belts have finite lifespans, tensioners can last for many belts. If the tension is still good and the pulley turns freely without noise or roughness, replacing it will just run up your bill. I've seen tensioners go for 200,000 miles. Belts are good for about 50,000 miles (YMMV)
Even one hole in your belt is a sign it is WELL past it's lifespan. Replace it ASAP or risk getting stranded. Yes, your car will *run* without the belt - but since the belt turns the water pump, you will overheat the engine in just a few minutes. LONG before you would have the battery go dead.
The power steering wont work, the AC won't work, the alternator won't work and its warning light will come on and if you ignore that the engine will quickly overheat. There is not a hole in your serpentine belt. It may have cracks in it and its contact surface is missing tread- or was the idiot at the grease monkey shop using silly childish language he thought you might understand. Replace it if it's worn and have no worries. I've seen those belts cost around $40. At the Ford dealer you might pay $100/Hr to have it changed, but the hotrod kid down the street could probably do it in 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how much other stuff he messes up trying to do this simple repair. You have a 12 year old Ford, so you should pay attention to things under the hood that may be about to wear out, such as radiator hoses. Good guys is not going to change a belt, but they might install new speakers for all the good they'll do in a car that doesn't run. You can call Pep Boys for an estimate- cheaper than Ford dealers, and they will have the belt to put on. While they're under your hood, they might cook up some other problems to make real money on you.
You can see the belt going around a number of pulleys at the front of your engine,. It powers the alternator, the power steering pump and the A/C. none of these will work if it breaks. It is quite easy to replace, but that also means that it does not cost much to have someone else do it. There probably is a diagram on a sticker in the engine compartment that will show you where it goes.
check out U tube ..how to change serpentine belt. workshop manuals will also show. DO change tensioner at same time. if it breaks we lose drive to alternator,water pump and power steering. so red ignition light will pop on, steering becomes very very heavy and engine will start to overheat. do NOT drive without this belt on.
take a picture of belt configuration before removing as many cannot figure out belt routing when refitting.
the belt tensioner fitting it critical and checking who to fit and correct torque is important.
if unsure have a mechanic do it.
If belt breaks you won't be able to drive car as it powers other functions of engine like charging battery and power steering. It should be done about every 80k miles with regular driving. If it is cracked I would replace it ASAP. The constant shift from cold to hot temps on cracked rubber will increase chance of it breaking.
None of the accessory pulleys spin such as the water-pump, alternator power steering and air conditioner compressor.
It is a half hour job max to change the belt and the belt is not too expensive.
If it breaks when your far from home, you will have to pay to get your car towed home or to a shop.
Today I took my 2002 Ford Mustang for an oil change and the guy working there told me there was a small hole (Only 1) in my cars serpentine belt. Is it dangerous to drive it like this? What could happen if it breaks?
How much does it cost to replace the serpentine belt at Pep Boys, Good Guys, etc? If possible I want to save some money and change it myself? Is it complicated? Any videos or directions on how to change the serpentine belt on a 2002 mustang?
