a fairly simple question..

[RedGrandAm2003]

When do you change the serpentine belt, or when do you know when you should change it. my car has 103KM on it, and I'm fiquring I should have had it done about 3,000 km's ago with a goodyear gatorbelt :p but yeah, I wanna wait till spring and do it myself, but are there any apparent signs of wear I should watch out for so I suddenly dont have a car to drive?

[rabidpanda69]

take a look at the belt. When you see a lot of cracks, its time to change it. You should be able to know what I mean.

[rabidpanda69]

heres a good example...

http://www.cars.com/advice/Subjects/adv/images/ctDrive.jpg

[RedGrandAm2003]

Yeah it actually looks like its in good condition or whatever, but I'll double check it.

[4kQuad]

I would suggest you stop by a parts store, look at a new one.
The insides wear out the fastest, but if you look at the belt and you can still read the printing on the outside of it, and it's not flaky or peeling looking. A belt is a belt, it can break at any time, but you should be ok for a few thousand more.

Really look at a new one, look how deep the ridges are, feel how flexable it is. Then go check out yours.


:penny:

[RedGrandAm2003]

Gotchya! See how rubberific it is :)

[sunrunner_pei]

Mike, at 100,000 KM, it's aboot time to change the belt. Replacements are not too expensive, and it's a relatively easy process. You can do it yourself with some basic hand tools and a hydraulic floor jack.

[RedGrandAm2003]

Yeah, I already read the how-to thats floating around here :) lol Aboot. I love canada. ok I'm done being random.. but yeah, I dont know if theres any other scheduled maintanence I should be doing... I'm thinking of tranny fluid change?

[sunrunner_pei]

A transmission fluid/filter change is a good idea. As is a fuel filter if not done recently. Spark plugs are also on the list, as is the PCV Valve. Oh, and don't forget your air filter. :)

[RedGrandAm2003]

Yeah I'm gonna do a bunch of the stuff this spring. I havnt a clue on what was done with it... when I bought it from the ford dealership last year, I only know what I did with it unfortunatly. But the air filter is on the list. Stupid question: What the **** is the PCV valve? :p I'm buying a FSM soon, so that might help... lets hope lolol

[sunrunner_pei]

The PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valve is located ont he front valve cover. It's a very inexpensive part that can clog and cause idle problems, etc. Because it is so cheap and easy to replace, it's not a bad idea to replace it before it goes bad.

Here's a shot showing the location:
http://www.gaownersclub.com/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=701185

[RedGrandAm2003]

lol Hey! Is this another one of those Colliseum Parking lot "repairs"? lolol :)

[sunrunner_pei]

It can be. :)

[RedGrandAm2003]

lol If I dont have it looked at by then. I needa change my oil... 13,000 on synthetic oil. I'm waiting for it to be warm... its warm today but its RAINING. ugh. Just a quick question for you shawn, has the weather been all messed up in PEI too? Because theres literally no snow here.

[sunrunner_pei]

We got aboot 10 cm the other night, and 5 cm this morning, but it'll soon change over to rain. Not much snow left at all. Actually, I don't think I remember any other winter where we had less snow. :(

[RedGrandAm2003]

=\ It sucks. I drove home from work a couple days with my windows down. get the winter stink out ;)

edit:
Where would I get a PCV valve doohickey? Crappy tire? or would one of these things be best to get from the dealership?

[sunrunner_pei]

Crappy Tire, Walmart, parts store, dealership. Doesn't really matter. Price around. :)

[RedGrandAm2003]

So they're all the same quality, just afraid to buy some plastic piece, when it should really be metal. lolol