For my 84 300 SD I went and had a free AAA auto check by an independent shop. They said I need all 4 belts replaced. Don't know when they were last replaced. The engine was rebuilt in 2000, would it have been normal to put new belts on at that time? About how long do belts last? He wanted about $200 to do the 4 belts. I can get the belts for around $50 total at Napa. Would replacing the belts be a job that a beginner could do? If so, what tools would I need? If a torque wrench is one of them, what is the highest lbs of torque that I would need so I can get the correct one. Thanks in advance for all info! (If I should be putting things like this under tech help rather than diesel discussion please let me know)

Vickie

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'84 300SD
'02 New Beetle TDI

These are the kind of jobs that most of the folks here have done at least once, so here is fine. Do you have a shop manual, CD manual or a Haynes manual. Any or all of these should give you an idea of the work required. Unfortunately I have only had to replace the belts on the 220D and that was many years ago, and quite a bit different.

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1961 190Db retired
1968 220D/8 325,000
1983 300D 164,150

You can get all four belts for a lot less than $50 if you order them online. A belt change is a reasonable DIY job. No torque wrench required. But getting the belt tension correct is important. If the belts are too tight, the belt-driven components can be damaged over time. Too loose, and they slip. There are special gauges for measuring belt tension, but few DIYers use them. The belt tension can be checked by putting pressure on the belt halfway between two pulleys. The belt should deflect around 3/8 inch.

The alternator, a/c compressor, and power steering pump all have bolts for adjusting belt tension. Plus there are several other bolts on these components which must be loosened. It is easy to break the adjustment bolts if you don't get all the fasteners loosened first. So take a good look at each component and don't force anything. If you turn the adjustment bolt and the component does not move, you have likely overlooked one of the fasteners.

Vickie, You don't need a torque wrench for anything related to belt changes in a W126 car. A little experience is worthwhile though, to prevent over tightening the belts. A loose belt may squeak but it won't break the bolts that fix the device to its mount (power steering for example, can break the mounting bolts) but this is still not a serious job.
I don't know if you are near San Mateo, if you drop by I will loan you some tools while you work in the back alley, and I will gladly give a few words of wisdom
If you need a good Indy, one that won't overcharge you, I can recommend one nearby also.

Belts for your alternator can be 10 X 1000 or 10X 1037 (dimension in mm's) depending on the year and what the last mechanic had available (there is a lot of overlap in the alternator bracket)
They should run no more than $7 each discount. These are the most important belts on a diesel because they also spin the water pump (read engine lifeline!)
The chances of both belts failing at the same time is quite slim because they wear very slowly so don't get worried and think you have to change these out before next Spring or even next summer depending on how much you drive.

The reason a AAA shop might advise you to change belts is because, unless they are very new, they always show a tiny little wear. Many shops have to say something is in need of repair when in reality it is not urgent. I'll never forget my dad getting incensed when a service station talked grandma into replacing a new belt, they observed it when they checked her oil (yes they used to do that!) They overcharged her grossly, so he actually went down and made them give all the money back after he called them on their scam because the belt was almost new to begin with.

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Just a thought, I would try to loosen the alternator first. Especially the bottom swing bolt. I did the belts on an SD once and after I removed the the two front belts(ac and ps belts) I found the bottom alternator swing bolt was locked solid, no length of breaker bar would loosen it. Finally had to cut just one very split and loose old alt. belt and roll on just 1 new outer belt. So now I had one very tight new alt belt and one very loose old split back alt belt. Obviously not the job I had intended to do.

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1981 240d
Newport,RI

We just did that recently....its not too dificult....we didn't tighten the A/C belt enough however, and will have to go back and tend to that eventually, as the belt makes a little squeal sometimes when the compressor engages....the others are fine though. Overall its just a step by step process of loosening bolts and adjusting things....takes a while, but its well worth the labor $avings in my opinion

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Vickie,

The adjusting bolts are not readily visible. Look for a bolt with a 10mm head. You might need a 10mm socket wrench to turn them. A 17mm and 19 mm socket wrench and box wrench will probably be needed too.

I would inspect the belts before replacing them. Just because some mechanic says you need them doesn't mean you do. He might have a boat payment due and needed an extra $200. Belts should last at least 50,000 miles and maybe 100,000 miles.

Look for cracks on the inside of the belts, the "V" part. If any of the "V" is missing, the belts need to be replaced.

It would be a cold day in hell before I would pay anyone $200 to replace the belts. You should be able to get the belts for about $20 at AutoZone. I can't understand why Napa is so high.

You should be able to replace them in 3 hours max. Where else can you make $60 an hour tax free?

P E H

This is definitely a DIY project but, based upon the phrasing of your question, it sounds as if you might be a little hesitant. I would take up dieseldiehard on his offer of assistance (if you are close enough to his location) or enlist another experienced mechanic's help so that you would gain experience and confidence in your abilities. You absolutely don't want to screw up your first attempt at DIY and become discouraged. There are a lot of things you can be doing to your car rather than spending $$$ to have someone else do it. This forum is a wealth of info. Good luck!

Wes