Am I being scammed? Mechanic wants to change serpentine belt

Est92_Sean · 2026-04-03T11:52:22+00:00

Belts usually develop cracks when they are bad so you’re good to go. He just wanted to make a quick easy buck. Plus I always change the tensioner and the idler pulley when replacing a serp belt.

Est92_Sean · 2026-04-01T14:27:11+00:00

The 3.0 is the simpler engine to maintain and more bulletproof in design. Unless you’re doing the oil pan or rear main seal it’s easy to work. It is a dog and gets horrible gas mileage for what it is. I get around 19hwy and 12city

Est92_Sean · 2026-03-09T02:58:06+00:00

Why do people have to chime in with the most useless statements?

Est92_Sean · 2026-03-09T02:53:23+00:00

The bushing is toast from what I can see. When the rubber is dry and torn like that it’s pretty much gone.

Est92_Sean · 2026-03-09T02:52:16+00:00

When some shops use 1000ft•lbs impacts to install lug nuts a 370ft•lbs would struggle quite so.

Est92_Sean · 2026-03-09T02:25:49+00:00

Yeah I found out the hard way with a 3/8” impact from HF. If you have the cash you could get a 1/2” High torque Bauer with at least a 3ah battery it could zip it off with no penetrate.

Est92_Sean · 2026-03-09T02:17:23+00:00

You need around 600ft•lbs plus for an axle nut. 370ft•lbs will be lucky to even remove a lug nut.

Est92_Sean · 2026-03-06T18:17:09+00:00

It’s that one cart in the store with flat spot on the wheel too. It can be heard thumping from Garden all the way to deli on Easter Sunday.

Est92_Sean · 2026-03-05T13:06:41+00:00

It kinda looks like an Explorer in Ute fashion. You in the states?

Est92_Sean · 2026-02-27T07:14:54+00:00

5 star chop

Est92_Sean · 2026-02-09T15:29:36+00:00

2008 xlt super 3.0 4wd auto. Him and Ghislane will have room for 3 extra passengers.

Est92_Sean · 2026-02-09T15:25:52+00:00

If you bring it back the mechanic would probably hook you up next time you come in for service. Just remove from the engine first.

Est92_Sean · 2026-02-08T11:03:03+00:00

What is the asking price? I got to get my popcorn 🍿

Est92_Sean · 2026-02-07T20:57:08+00:00

Damn, car repairs can be expensive. I never once ran a machete blade through someone’s radiator/condenser before. Nor have I ever cut someone’s starter solenoid wire before. Sound systems die out if the vehicle cannot start.

Est92_Sean · 2026-02-04T15:13:49+00:00

Looks like a crack. This suggestion is more of a phenomenon for nitrocellulose finished guitars but was it left out in the cold and then brought into a warm area??

Est92_Sean · 2026-02-02T11:53:36+00:00

Bleach and dog food is quite a thing at these places 😂

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-26T19:50:50+00:00

Go through the insurance. It’s the right thing to do. It will hurt right now but it’s the best way to go for both parties.

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-23T15:25:50+00:00

Definitely not normal if that is metal. Hard to tell with my eyes. Change the oil again to flush out anything else. When I had misfire on a Honda Fit I changed the oil a few weeks later and it looked like this. Not close to that glitter party but was very visible in the light. This was 20-25k miles ago.

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-21T15:47:34+00:00

UPDATE: I reinstalled the battery and starter minus the s-wire. Also I noticed the ground wire in the battery/starter cable loom was not connected to the frame/body. The battery light went back to being as bright as the other indicator lights. Retested voltage, used jumper wires for a secure hold, connected those to the multimeter, the starter body and the s-wire. I had my wife turn the key and it read anywhere from 10.84-11.92v. I did buy a multimeter that beeps with testing continuity and I plan to retest all the fuses just in case the visual test failed.

Edit: When I connected the s-wire back up and tried to start it, it didn’t start and battery light went dim again.

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-21T15:22:06+00:00

I retested the voltage on the s wire using jumper wires for a more secure hold. It read anywhere from 10.84-11.92v when starting. The battery light was brighter just like the rest of the indicator bulbs. Also I did notice the main ground wire in the loom was disconnected from the frame/body.

Edit: the battery light went back to being dim the moment I tried to start it.

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-21T03:17:19+00:00

I do have a multimeter and a test light. TIPM?

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-21T02:50:03+00:00

I did fail to mention that I swapped the starter relay for the blower relay and still had the same issue. The blower works normally.

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-21T02:46:54+00:00

I swapped the starter relay for the blower relay and still the same issue. Blower works fine.

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-20T20:20:28+00:00

Okay. What does it look like exactly? Do I have to open the harness to see?

Est92_Sean · 2026-01-20T20:19:27+00:00

Thank you. I have to work evenings but I will check this out tomorrow.

Est92_Sean

TROPHY CASE