KillBillz

Hello, Has anyone replaced the serpentine belt on a M278 engine? I took my car into Mercedes for the 60K spark plug replacement with the $150 coupon and ask them if they could just throw the belt on for me. The advisor came back to me and said it was a 2 hour job. I scratched my head and said worry about it. The biggest thing that surprised me is that the installed spark plug I brought in myself instead of paying the same plugs from them at $240 lol.

Anyway I look in the engine bay, the turbo snorkle seems to be covering the right side on the engine. cant even get good pictures

KillBillz

Anyone.....

ghlkal

Sorry, I can't help with the belt, but how much did the dealer charge for the plug replacement?

KillBillz

They charged $397 but I had a $150 winter coupon. My total was $268 after tax

mercy-me

Book Time

2 hours seems a little stiff for just replacing the belt. Book time to replace the belt tensioner which requires the R&R of the belt is only .9hr. Must be some miscommunication somewhere. A fair price to my mind would be .2-.5hr.
Don't forget, most service writers get a commission on sales.

Good luck,

Bob

KillBillz

Thanks for the input. I will have the advisor take another look at the repaired quote.

jonUF02

Might as well tell them to replace the belt tensioner for under an hour of labor by the book, and go ahead and throw on a new belt while you're in there. It definitely looks tight and fiddly, but I'll probably DIY the belt pretty soon just for peace of mind. On older models, there is a plastic (stupid) pulley that can shatter and leave you stranded, it was a $10 part to replace, right on top, I'd do that too. Been there, done that.