anyone changed their own belts and hoses?

[Flame]

I have replaces almost everything new under my 1998 concourse but other than a visual look have done nothing about belts and hoses. For preventive maintenance and peace of mind I want to go ahead and change all belts and hoses. Has anyone done this themselves and what am I getting in to? Best to use Ford parts? I notice gates makes a "green" heavy duty type belt. Would that be better for ours? Also it looks like you need special tools to replace the heater hoses. Can I go back with "regular" clamps if I want too? Also it was a little confusing looking up a belt. They asked...single or double altenator? Does it have ac? Is it a ambulance set up? Maybe I didn't look close enough but do I have one or two serpentine belts on my ride?? Is there any "special" type antifreeze/coolant we need to use in our RV's? Any reason to have to remove the "doghouse" to replace belts and hoses? I searched for videos but have come up with nothing on our model.

[chin_k]

Sounds like you need an entire service manual posted here

For my 2000 concourse, just two types of belts to choose from. There is a diagram under the hood, and the right one for me is the one with AC. There is only one belt. Ambulance and dual alternators do not applies to us, but YMMV. I'll stay with genuine Ford as much as possible. You may need to have a belt installation tool to move the pretensor out of the way during the process, but I only got the tool and the belt, and have not have time to actually do it My hoses seems fine, so I have not pay attention to them yet.


And who cares about the "green" belt if we only change the little part every tens of thousand miles? I'll take it if it is cheaper and better, not because of green. I am all for environment and all, but don't be silly about little thing like this. I have plug-in hybrid, and vanpool to work, and have all kinds of low-energy gadgets in my house (variable speed pump, energy monitoring, smart thermostatic, low water landscaping, smart irrigation controller, high efficiency lighting, etc.), but for my rig, the belt is not going to make a difference even if it is 100% biodegradable in two hours under the hood and made from soy with bamboo fiber! Yes, I am an environmental hypocrite.

[Manitou]

I borrowed the tool from advanced auto. Could not have done it without it (things are too tight for regular socket and wrench). That said, it was easy once I ad the correct tool and correct part (amazon order sent the wrong part the first time).
I never changed the hoses.

[Flame]

Chin, I believe the belt is only green in color to dictate it being their heavy duty series and has nothing to do with the environment. Lawnmower belts went to a green color series years ago and some of them are now red in color to depict heavy duty braid. But I agree with you...if it was just because of the environment I wouldn't worry about it. as a matter of fact I just bought last week a tiny Mercedes Benz Smart Car that is only 100 inch long and gets 45 mpg!! Hah!

[Blue~Go]

Yeah, I remember green (higher quality) belts from the days long before the use of the term "green" in an environmentally aware sense.

[chin_k]

I need to find a piece of rock large enough to hide.

[Blue~Go]

Oh, I don't think so - not at all. It was an obvious conclusion based on all the "green" marketing now. Not everyone worked at a full service gas station in the 70's

[Flame]

And not everyone owned a small engine repair business and worked on lawnmowers for 30 years!! Chin, they don't make enough large rocks for me to hide behind!! My saying in life has always been "There's enough I DON"T know to start a whole new world!!!!