Service Schedule on Serpentine Belt

Question about Drive belt replacement. Please refer to link below for photo:

How do I replace a serpentine belt on a 2004 Prius - FixYa

Do I need any special tools to loosen nut A? Also, why do I need to loosen A if tension is applied by bolt B?

Thanks,

Mylar

 

I was able to answer the above question by finding another resource. According to the attached PDF file A & B are reversed making the process make complete and total sense.

Mylar

 

This one has A and B labeled correctly.

"A" locks the axle of the pulley into position and is the main one that holds it in position. "B" is only to make it easy for you to apply the correct tension to the belt before re-tightening "A".

 

Does anyone know if the gen 3 prius has a timing belt that needs replacement?

 

The Gen III has a beltless engine.

 

Thanks everyone here for the info re: changing the serpentine belt especially to Patrick. I ordered the part and will do replacing mine soon. 145K miles on my 2001 Prius and runs great w/regular maint.

Now if CA extends the clean air sticker one more time (this time longer than July 2011), I'll be happier. Come on State of CA - you need the money - extend it and be glad to play my $ extra for the sticker.

 

As a revenue enhancement measure, my guess is that CA would get plenty of takers if the state offered solo carpool access for $2K-$3K per year.

 

I can imagine it.

Even better just charge $5 per use via Fastrak charge - one could label it "toll charge" on their business expense.

$2-3k might be a harder sell vs $5 or so per use. And $5 per use comes-out close to $2500 if used 10x a week over 1 yr period.

It's happening now on I-680 in the SF Bay Area (started last year). A HOT lane user has one or two chances to get in this 14 mile long HOT lane, and exit out at the end. Cost to use the HOT lane can be up to $6 depending on how heavy traffic: http://transbay.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/680_hot-lane_entry-exit.jpg?w=350&h=410

Maybe this approach will diffuse the Prius w/Clean Air Sticker haters! Now everyone can get into the HOT lane as long as you are willing to pay.

Anyways, off topic but I am glad to have found this forum; new serpentine belt coming soon. Next, look into replacing the front and rear struts (I am sure it's here - just have to search). Love this site. :rockon:

 

Dealer inspection said I needed to replace the belt at 69,350 mi. I paid $100 for labor, I thought it a little high. I had bought my own belt earlier for an emergency. The dealer service would have charged $30 for a new belt. South Carolina. I had been stranded years ago in a different car with a broken serpentine belt; I like the peace of mind of having a new one.

 

I just had the belt changed on my 04 last week at 81000 miles. The mechanic charged 50 in labor and 18 for the belt. I'm totally comfortable going to a private Toyota mechanic. I've saved a ton of money over the stealership...the old one was pretty cracked.

 

i hear ya......i have 130 k and the brakes look like brand new.....yikes.....

 

No mention of disconnecting the battery or disabling smart key.

Is disabling SKS enough to make it safe to put your hands in the engine area or should I go the extra step to disconnect the battery?

Or do you consider it safe enough to just make sure no one is in the car to push the start button?

 

No need to disconnect the battery or disable SKS. My advice would be to ensure your key fob is out of range of your Prius when you perform the maintenance.

 

I assume that the car is IG-OFF. It is sufficient to ensure that no one is in the car to press the POWER button. It is usually unnecessary to disable the Smart system or to disconnect the 12V battery.

However if you are working in an environment where you are concerned that someone may do something stupid to harm you, then disconnect the 12V battery negative cable where it bolts to the body. As a longer term project, get rid of any friends and acquaintances who do stupid things.

 

Um I can't seem to get away from myself.
Had the HV water pump recall done today, dealer whined that the belt is cracked bad, 160K miles original belt. He quoted $130 installed. I found bando belts on fleabay to fit my 05 for about $11.00 shipped to me, is a Bando a Bando? OR is there some super secret OEM bando ingredient?
Oh, Dealer also quoted $110 to spray down the the throttle plate. I declined his uh, thoughtful help.

As ever thanks to Patrick for the how to.

 

I recently bought the correct serpentine drive belt from Champion Toyota, Houston for $13.74 plus shipping:
Champion ToyotaWorld

There is nothing wrong with buying a Bando belt (without the Toyota markings) if you are sure it is the correct size.

 

They got me! The web has no sellers with correct BANDO brand belt. The correct Bando part number is 3PK860 (marked on Toyota belt I bought locally for $32.00)
Install was very easy and can be done completely from the top in about 15 minutes. My 05 has started to suffer from rusted bolts but even then it wasn't bad to do. Helps to have thin wrists, remove your watch, roll up sleeve it's a little snug down there.

 

Yes it is possible if you have small hands. I just changed the belt on my 2008 Prius at 118k miles. Took about 10 minutes tops, may have been quicker in the daytime without my wife holding the flashlight. The belt was still in good condition, but I felt it was time. $17.72 on Amazon, Toyota part, not generic. Part number 90916-02570. Just need to remove the intake hose on the air filter box. Phillips screw to loosen and you can slip it off and bend it out of the way.

 

Thx for all the info everyone, I will attempt this in the coming days... So it's pretty clear how to remove the belt, how about installing the new one? Any precautions? How do I know what tension is the correct one?

 

Took me about 2 hours to do the belt ... the engine under tray is a pain to get off. You can just remove the right side as stated - but even that means removing a lot of screws and plastic rivets. You need a very small flat driver to pry open the rivet head to remove - and there was still one that I could not get out. After loosening the idler pulley from the top - the belt comes off fairly easily - in theory you could do the whole job from the top (and not remove engine under tray) but having access to the bottom pulley from underneath definitely helps get the belt back on. Things are pretty tight in there. Putting the tray back on is also a pain.