How to change V belt and tensioner on A4 2 l B6

Most parts stores have a way to see where they are located or you can look at the new part in the store or on-line and look for it on your car. There are parts locators on line too. Check all of your grounds on the car too.

Do it at 60,000 miles, it is cheaper than a damaged engine-Volvo had different recommendations:
All models - 1999MY: Replacement of timing belt and tensioner every 80,000 miles or 8 years.
1,6/1,8/2,0 - 2000-01MY: Replacement of timing belt and tensioner at the following intervals:
90,000 miles/8 years.
186,000 miles/16 years.
1,9T/2,0T - 2000MY: Replacement of timing belt and tensioner at the following intervals:
66,000 miles/6 years.
138,000 miles/12 years.
210,000 miles/18 years.
2,0T - 2001MY: Replacement of timing belt and tensioner at the following intervals:
90,000 miles/8 years.
186,000 miles/16 years.
All models - 2002MY : Replacement of timing belt and tensioner every 96,000 miles or 8 years.
The previous use and service history of the vehicle must always be taken into account.

You have to really put some pressure on the timing belt tensioner,then tighten it down, make sure that belt is tight. then check your marks. You got them close because it runs, it's because on some models the belt has to be tight to get the marks to line up perfectly.

Hi,

release tension on belt by:

-putting a socket/breaker bar or ratched on the tensioner pulley bolt and use it to relieve tension on the belt

-slide belt off tensioner pulley. replace with new belt in same pattern across all pulleys and again relieve tension on the tensioner puller to slide the new belt back on.

--you may need to remove the bolt on the tensioner closest to the pulley.


---if you don't know what the tensioner looks like look up the part on autozone's website for a picture you can match on your car

Best regards.

YOU CAN USE A WRENCH OR SOCKET ON THE CAST IN HEX ON THE TENSIONER ARM ROTATE TENSIONER COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO RELIEVE BELT TENSION.

check the wires to the big fuse under the bonnet ,they use a silly alluminium fuse across to nuts in a box near the battery and either it has a high resistance here or one of the feed wires has burnt out on the connection

Click on the following free direct Link. It has the correct Serpentine/Drive Belt Diagram for your 2004 Ford Freestar. You either have the 3.9L or 4.2L V6 Engine. I am not sure what Engine options (AC/No AC, etc.) you have. If this Diagram is not correct: check on the underside of your Hood for the correct Belt Diagram. However the below "How To" remains accurate.

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2004/make/ford/model/freestar/2004_ford_freestar_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

"HOW TO":
Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:
1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagram on Link)
2. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool, Or Wrench OR Ratchet, Rotate/Move the Tensioner USING THE AVAILABLE NUT (on the Pulley or Arm Base) OR the OPENING (3/8ths or 1/2 inch square opening) rotating the Tensioner Pulley/Arm - moving it away from contact with the belt and towards the area where the belt is not in contact with the Tensioner Pulley. The Tensioner is spring loaded, and is hard to rotate/move.
3. Remove the loosened belt off one of the other more easily accessed Pulleys.
4. DO NOT quickly release the Tensioner, but gently allow the Tensioner to rest in its closed position.

Standard Rules for Installing the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:
a. Pick a Pulley that is most easily accessed. This will usually be on top. This will be the last Pulley that the belt will go on.
b. Using the Diagram: Install the new Serpentine Belt on the remainder of the Pulleys....over, under, left right.
c. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool or Wrench or Ratchet Tool: Rotate/Move the Tensioner Pulley/Arm "away" from Belt contact area on the Tensioner. This spring is pretty hard and with a new belt, it will be even harder to install. Rotate/Move this to as-close to the maximum allowed inorder to have enough slack in the belt to get it up and over the last pulley.
d. Using your other hand - Pull the Belt up and over the Last remaining Pulley.
e. Before releasing the pressure on the Tensioner, visually inspect the remainder Pulleys and the Belts' Positioning on them.
Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

My sincere apologies for the delayed response.
I am personally going back to answer your unanswered questions.

I do not know if you still need this information, but I am going ahead and answering it anyway. You may want to Print the Diagrams for future use.

CLICK on the following LINK. It has the Belt Diagrams you will need.

After Identifying the Tensioner, always remember the tensioner always rotates/moves towards the open side (not covered with a belt) of the tensioner pulley. For example in the first diagram on the Link: the tensioner rotates towards the left, loosening the belt. Once it has been rotated/moved it can be taken off one of the other pulleys and removed.

If you would: Before Clicking: Let me know if this helped you, or if you have any additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!
Again my apologies...
http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2004/make/ford/model/taurus/2004_ford_taurus_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

locate tensioner pulley; release tension from belt; remove belt; make sure not to forget how the belt is routed; route belt around all pulleys but tensioner; put tension on tensioner pulley; route belt over tensioner pulley

it uses a spring loaded tensioner.use a breaker bar to rotate the tension and it should just come off.if u need a pic or anything else to do it let me know,