Serpentine Belt Labor Costs

The serpentine belt (aka "accessory belt") on a vehicle is one of the routine maintenance requirements that can't be ignored. The belt typically runs from the engine's crank shaft pulley and around pulleys attached to accessories such as the power steering pump, alternator, air conditioning compressor, etc.

Some vehicles have one belt that runs around all of these, others have two. Most auto manufacturers recommend that the serpentine belt be checked at every oil change interval and replaced if any wear or fraying shows - or at about 10,000 miles, depending on the vehicle in question.

The cost to replace a serpentine belt varies greatly from area to area, state to state, or region to region. A replacement in Queens, New York, for example, might cost $240 while one in Cheyenne, Wyoming might run only $75. The type and complexity of the vehicle will also make a difference, of course.

Despite these costs, most auto repair enthusiasts can change a serpentine themselves. With the guidance of a good manual and belt diagram, most DIY mechanics can do the job on a typical 4, 6 or 8 cylinder engine in half an hour to an hour. The job is usually done simply by loosening one of the accessories (often the A/C pump or alternator, which are typically on "top" of the engine) or by loosening a tensioner pulley (more common on larger engines).