And, is the belt accessible without removing the front bumper?

 

Being a DIY'er, I would feel a lot more secure if I carried a spare and were able to change my own belt should the need arise.[/QUOTE]

Are you suggesting that the Serp can be done anywhere, like on the side of the road, you must be a very talented mechanic? The amount of tools required would make this nearly impossible!

 

"Are you suggesting that the Serp can be done anywhere, like on the side of the road, you must be a very talented mechanic? The amount of tools required would make this nearly impossible!"


Thanks for the compliment! I've been wrenching on vehicles for over 60 years and, as for serpentine belts, have changed them out on a variety of vehicles with no problems and a minimum of tools in the comfort of my garage or driveway...as long as I've obtained the instructions to do so ahead of time. It's usually a simple procedure once you know what you're doing, hence, the rationale for my post.

 

Special tool is VW T10060 A Locking Pin used to lock belt tensioner after using box end wrench to take tension off belt. It looks like a simple rod with a 90 degree bend. I looks like it could be improvised.

 

Awesome, nerfbar! Sounds like a job for a length of coat hanger wire...or the same as used on R53 MINI Cooper S tensioners. Any chance you have the instructions on gaining access to said tensioner?

 

Agreed



This pin is probably nothing special. Just installed new tensioner and belt on my wife’s BMW 5 series. The pin is installed to retain tension and keep the pulley out of the way I threw it away after the install. An Allen wrench would accomplish the same thing retracting the idler so you could install a new belt. Most of the time spent would be gaining access to the belt.

 

Still a remaining question: must one remove the front bumper to perform the belt change?

 

I did changed the belt this weekend along with a leaking tensioner. I had to remove both air boxes, both headlights, the bumper, upper rad support along with cross brace, y pipe and the fan assembly. pretty insane amount of work to reach that area.

 

What is the typical service life of one of these belts?

 

60,000 miles. Visual inspection every 10,000 miles.

But as the dealer service manager told me, the ideal time to change it is when it is frayed and cracked, right before it breaks.

 

Inspiration? Easy VW Belt Change

Maybe this will provide inspiration to the DIYers here, i.e., the five-second belt change:

Well, we're part of the VAG group, right? How different can it be?

 

[ Well, we're part of the VAG group, right? How different can it be?[/quote]

Hold my beer. Watch this...

 

Surely, with the thousands of members we have on this Forum, someone has information on how to access and change the serpentine belt! I'm betting that the front shroud has to come off after removing the hood (bonnet) release lever.
p.s.: Found Illustration #102-60 in the Macan PET which shows the tensioner assembly and belt layout.
https://www.porsche.com/usa/accessoriesandservices/porscheservice/serviceandorgininalparts/originalparts/

 

Bump! After finding out how to remove the hood release lever and the front shroud, it's obvious that the serpentine belt can't be accessed from the top. Next time I change oil, I'm going to check out how much access (if any) can be obtained from the bottom. Anyone else have access to a Porsche Tech to determine the procedure for a belt change? "Inquiring minds want to know"!

 

I’m going to do this this weekend, my tensioner is toast and leaking fluid. It will def need to be done from underneath and the fans will need to be pulled.

 

How much is the part?

How much would the Dealer charge for labor?

 

I'm not doing my wifes belt until 100,000 miles. But steering has a click so I think I need to replace an axle (I hope it is that and not the steering column) But always be prepared, so I bought the manual for the macan. And the only engine it covers is the macan, not the S. I think. Still looking through the manual.

The instruction are as follows for the blet removal are as follows
1-remove engine cover
2-turn tensioner clockwise
3-remove belt

From the pic the post it does look like the wrench is coming from the bottom, but they did not say to remove the lower splash shield. Will keep you poted

 

Suspicions confirmed, Roop. Did you just "wing it" or find instructions for disassembly? If so, where? Any special tools other than normal Metric and Torx?

 

just winged it, no special tools other than a 30mm socket and long breaker bar, I bought the little pin to hold the pulley but never used it. 4 bumper clips are tricky, they are hidden on each side of the bumper close to the wheels.

 

sorry didn't take any pics

 

Well, just passed 100k and it is spring. Moving forward with the belt change soon. Got a pice from the dealer. They have not done one yet, but quoted $1600 for parts and labor for tensioner and belt. You have to place the engine in the service position - meaning moving the radiator - they want 4-5 hours for labor.

 

Do the Porsche engineers design these cars today so a DIY'er just gives up and pays them $$$ to do this ridiculous job for just changing a belt (and tensioner)?!?! Amazing! I can knock mine out on my Cayman in less than 30 minutes.

 

What’s the designed life for the belt? 100k miles for the serpentine belt is not bad.

 

According to the dealer inspection and change when necessary. I tend to keep cars forever. Every 100k I swap belt and tensioner on my cars. Never had one go bad. But never waited. Started doing this a few years back when stories about BMWs sucking the belt through the front main seal if it went. On the macan my 100k service is going to be belt, tensioner, front and rear rotors and pads - and an oil change.

 

In my base Macan I have a good 2" between the pulleys and the electric fans. Also on two driven accessories, the AC compressor and the alternator. I assume that the power steering is electric. Looks to be an easy job, accessed from above.

I typically replace the belt, tensioner and any idler pulley at 100k in cars that I own or maintain.

What is it about the V6 that makes access to the front of the engine so difficult? It's only three cylinders long vs four for the 4-banger.

 

Serpentine Belt Replacement: What needs to be removed to replace?

2017 Macan S

 

Hello and welcome to the group. This is the tread you want.....

https://www.macanforum.com/forum/engine-technical-discussion/141401-changing-serpentine-belt-3.html

 

SoCal,
I have been impressed with how resourceful you are.

Can you share what search engine you use when looking for information ?
Do you use the search feature imbedded in the forum or ? Any tips, that we can all get better ?
Thx


Macan T 2016

 

....Can you share what search engine you use when looking for information ?...

Good question.

The vast majority of the time, I simply use the Google search box on the Forum's webpage. Although for some reason, the boxes on the individual thread pages seem to work better than the boxes on the Forum, Active Topics, or New Posts summary pages.

The real trick is to use search words that are fairly unique to the topic or thread. Knowing the Porsche option and parts lingo helps a lot.

Also, if searching for a thread I know I've posted in, I'll include my screen name in the search (without the @ symbol). Similarly, if I can recall the names of other members that posted in a specific thread, I'll use their screen name in the search as well.

Some threads are difficult to find, because they don't contain many unique terms to use as search words. But because I know the thread exists, I'll be persistent, and try various search word combinations until I eventually find it. And if I think I'll likely need that thread again, I'll bookmark it.

 

Ok. Feel like a talker and no a doer. But have been researching. Car is coming up on 120,000 and I get it for a week. Went to PIWIS and downloaded the 84 steps to do the belt change. Buying to the tools now.

And after researching it, this is a normal VW/Audi process. Basically you slide the radiator forward 8cm to get access to the belt. Need a couple special tools. And you basically have to unplug everything. But I guess it is better than the BMW where I have to disconnect oil and coolant lines to change the belt.