I was just in for my first oil change after the 5 year service period. The Dealer wanted to change my supercharger belt. I declined, not have much faith in their advice.

Does anyone have any experience with supercharger belts? Is there any reason to replace them? My car has 30,000 miles and runs fine. 2016 XF. Plenty of power, good mileage.

I also declined their suggestion of new spark plugs and for the crankcase cleaning at $130 extra dollars. Not $130 for plugs, that's just "crankcase cleaning". Grumble.

The oil change cost $260 and took them 5 full hours. They over filled it and when I asked them to pull out some extra oil the service rider told me that they checked the car with the "computer" and that it was OK, that maybe I had a bad to stuck sensor. I asked them how the computer would know the oil level was OK if the sensor was bad and the guy had no answer and there hadn't been the 15 minute wait time for the oil level to settle after the engine ran. Total nonsense meant for people who they think are too stupid. Grumble.

I searched this forum before asking and did not see any mention of this belt.

Thanks,
P. Smith

 

The belt is very easy to change but if it breaks in use it's no big deal, you will just lose power. Unless it looks really cracked and worn I would leave alone.

 

It runs more than the SC. Look at it. Worn with fibers sticking out? I doubt it. I Haven't read online about someone needing to replace any of the V belts on the 3.0 SC. Doesn't mean it hasn't happened and they are easy to check. These new serpentine belts last a long time.

Total scam on both counts.

I had trouble as well with oil level once after dealer service. It was short about a quart. They said "that's OK". I said "no" and had them add a quart. I read where that's a repeat problem when they program the fill for AWD instead of RWD. You sure called their bluff with the sensor though

Time to look for a reputable service source IMO.

 

The SC belt on the AJ126 runs nothing but the SC and a separate serpentine belt runs the rest - alternator, coolant pump, AC condenser and power steering pump (on the earlier cars).
The 2016 maintenance schedule for the F-Type says:
"renew secondary (supercharger) engine drive belt every 6 years / 96,000 miles/156,000 km
and "renew primary engine drive belt every 9 years / 134,000 miles/234,000 km".
I assume the belt service intervals would be the same for a 2016 or 2017 XF V6 so based on age only the SC belt is due to be changed but the accessory/serpentine belt not yet. I agree with your view that the other quotes are total scams.

 

I stand corrected. All those idler pulleys confused me

2017 XF maintenance schedule lists 10 years or 144K miles for both belts. I found the SC belt interesting .... first one I've seen with ribs on both surfaces.

 

Thanks, guys, motor on with dignity.
P.

 

Yep, two idler pulleys and a tensioner pulley just for the SC belt but just a single tensioner pulley for the accessories belt, see the attached diagram.
It's for the AJ133 5.0 V8 but the pulleys and belts on the AJ126 are identical.
My best guess as to why the SC belt is ribbed on both sides is due to the engagement with the first idler puller (just above and to the left of the crank) being on "the other side" of the belt.