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Posted on Mar 22, 2009
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How do I release the tension pulley to remove and replace the serpentine belt?

  • schoenecker_ Mar 22, 2009

    Because the tensioner is 1/4" away from the engine block, we cannot get a wrench in position, much less leverage needed. We can move the pulley by hand but it is very tight. This sucks.

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2 Answers

Marvin

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  • Oldsmobile Master 85,242 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 22, 2009
Marvin
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It requires either a long wrench or a socket or just a ratchet, look at the tension-er to determine that, then just move the tension-er in the opposite direction of belt tension to release it, it is spring loaded.

  • Marvin
    Marvin Mar 22, 2009

    there is a special tool kit for doing these, i know this because I have one, very thin wreches bent at an angle..

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  • Expert 319 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 22, 2009
Anonymous
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Put a wrench on the center bolt of the tensioner and turn acordingly to relieve the tension, but do not remove the bolt

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Serpentine belt

Application:
With A/C


2.image

Kia_Sedona_2002-2006
Accessory Drive Belts

Print


Accessory Belt Routing



0996b43f802319a9.jpg enlarge_icon.gifenlarge_tooltip.gif

Fig. Accessory serpentine belt routing-3.5L engine


0996b43f802319a9.jpg enlarge_icon.gifenlarge_tooltip.gif

Fig. Accessory serpentine belt routing-3.5L engine


0996b43f8020700d.jpg enlarge_icon.gifenlarge_tooltip.gif

Fig. Accessory serpentine belt (A) routing-3.8L engine


Inspection

Inspect the drive belt for signs of glazing or cracking. A glazed belt will be perfectly smooth from slippage, while a good belt will have a slight texture of fabric visible. Cracks will usually start at the inner edge of the belt and run outward. All worn or damaged drive belts should be replaced immediately.


Removal & Installation

  1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
  2. Rotate the auto tensioner clockwise to release tension, then remove the drive belt.

To install:
  1. Install drive belt (A). Route the belt over the components in the following order: Crankshaft pulley - A/C pulley - idler pulley - generator pulley - water pump pulley - P/S pump pulley - tensioner pulley.
  2. Rotate auto tensioner arm in the counter-clockwise moving auto tensioner pulley bolt with wrench.
  3. After putting belt on auto tensioner pulley, release the auto tensioner pulley slowly.

    0996b43f802319a9.jpg enlarge_icon.gifenlarge_tooltip.gif

    Fig. Accessory serpentine belt routing-3.5L engine


    0996b43f8020700d.jpg enlarge_icon.gifenlarge_tooltip.gif

    Fig. Accessory serpentine belt (A) routing-3.8L engine


4helpful
1answer

How simple is it to change a alternator belt on subaru svx?

  1. Removing the Serpentine Belt
    • 1 Park your Subaru on a level surface and open the hood.
    • 2 Disconnect the ground (black) battery cable using a wrench. This will prevent the cooling fan from activating.
    • 3 Locate the serpentine belt routing diagram in your engine compartment and compare it to the actual routing of the installed belt. Make sure the routing on the label matches the actual routing. If they do not match or there is no label, note the actual routing on a piece of paper for later reference.
    • 4 Locate the belt tensioner pulley on your Subaru model. If the tensioner is equipped with a squared hole, use a large breaker bar with a 1/2-inch (13 mm) drive. Otherwise, use a ratchet and socket of the proper size on the tensioner pulley center bolt.
    • 5 Rotate the tensioner pulley away from the belt to release the belt tension.
    • 6 Pull the belt off of one of the pulleys and slowly release the tensioner pulley back into position. Do not let the tensioner pulley snap back or you may damage an internal component.
    • 7 Finish removing the serpentine belt from the rest of the pulleys and the engine compartment.
    Installing the New Serpentine Belt
    • 1 Match the old belt to the new one and make sure they are of the same length and configuration. It is normal for the new belt to be slightly shorter since the old one has been stretched through use.
    • 2 Route the new serpentine belt through all of the pulleys except the tensioner pulley. Use the diagram on the engine compartment or your notes, as a reference, to properly route the belt.
    • 3 Insert the large breaker bar into the square hole or the ratchet and socket into the tensioner pulley center bolt.
    • 4 Rotate the tensioner pulley in the same direction you did to release the belt tension.
    • 5 Slide the serpentine belt onto the tensioner pulley.
    • 6 Release the tensioner pulley back into position.
    • 7 Look at all the pulleys and make sure the serpentine belt is properly seated on each one. Otherwise, release the belt tension and adjust the belt.
    • 8 Connect the ground (black) battery cable using the wrench.
0helpful
1answer

Serpentine belt diagram for a 2003 Chevy unpalatable 4.3

Pop the hood of the car and locate the serpentine belt routing diagram. The diagram on the 2003 Chevrolet Impala is on top of the fan shroud. The diagram will be a picture of all of the accessory pulleys and how the serpentine belt is routed among the pulleys. This diagram will give you the exact direction for routing the new belt onto the pulleys. If you cannot find a serpentine belt routing diagram, take a notepad and pen and draw out the exact routing diagram of the old belt across the pulleys.

  • 2 Locate the serpentine belt tensioner. It is located below the alternator on the left front side of the engine. The tensioner on the 3.4 liter, 3.5 liter and the 3.9 liter engines will require a 3/8 ratchet to release the belt tensioner. The 3.8 liter engine will require a ratchet and a 15 mm socket for the belt tensioner. Rotate the belt tensioner clockwise to loosen and remove the belt from the belt tensioner pulley.
  • 3 Slide the old belt from the belt tensioner pulley. Remove the belt from the remaining pulleys and pull the belt from the engine compartment.
  • 4 Route the new belt across the crankshaft pulley first. The crankshaft pulley is the big pulley on the bottom of the engine in the center. Then route the serpentine belt across the remaining pulleys as directed by the serpentine belt routing diagram. Leave the belt tensioner pulley for last.
  • 5 Rotate the belt tensioner clockwise again to relieve the tension and slide the new belt across the top of the belt tensioner pulley. Release the belt tensioner and the belt will tighten up as the tensioner applies pressure to the belt. Make sure the new belt is properly seated in all the pulleys.
  • 6 Crank the engine and inspect the belt again to make sure that it stays seated in the pulleys.

  • Read more: How to Replace a Serpentine Belt on a 2003 Chevrolet Impala ' eHow.co.uk http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_6120665_replace-belt-2003-chevrolet-impala.html#ixzz1Yi6QLAjb
    1helpful
    1answer

    SERPENTINE BELT REPLACEMENT

    Use a breaker bar to release tension on the serpentine belt at the tensioner pulley, the pulley that pivots unde spring tension to allow the belt to be tight against all of the pulleys.

    Remove the belt, and note how it was routed on the various pulleys. Draw a diagram for yourself before removing.

    Assembly is a reverse of the removal.
    3helpful
    2answers

    Change serpentine belt on 06 sienna

    1. 1 Check to ensure the Sienna's engine is cold, then make sure the Sienna is in park, the ignition is in the off position and the key is removed from the ignition to prevent any possibility of the engine engaging during the serpentine belt replacement.
    2. 2 Open the hood and locate the serpentine belt routing diagram sticker on the side of the engine casing. Study it for a moment before removing the existing belt. It is essential the new belt be installed exactly as the diagram indicates.
    3. 3 Find the tensioner pulley, the main pulley that controls the serpentine belt, and fit a 1/2-inch socket wrench over the self-tensioner on the outside of the pulley.
    4. 4 Pull the wrench to the left to move the pulley forward, which loosens the belt, then remove the belt.
    5. 5 Compare the old serpentine belt with the new, replacement belt for length, width and number of grooves on the belt's underside. Be certain the replacement belt is the right part.
    6. 6 Fit the new belt on to each pulley according to the serpentine belt routing diagram on the manufacturer's sticker, or according to the drawing made prior to removing the old belt. Fit the new belt on to the tensioner pulley last, again applying pressure on the pulley's self-tensioner with the half-inch socket wrench to loosen the pulley.
    7. 7 Release the pressure on the self tensioner and allow the tensioner pulley to ease back into place, thereby tightening the new serpentine belt with the appropriate tension.
    8. 8 Remove the wrench and close the hood.
    Thank you and good luck,
    Lee
    0helpful
    1answer

    How do i release the tension belt ... cant seem to find bolt being referred to in other docs

    Here's the procedure on how to release and replace the tension belt of your car.

    Step 1
  • Open the hood on the Volvo S-60 and find the serpentine-belt routing diagram. The diagram should be attached to the top of the fan shroud that covers the radiator. If not, draw out the exact routing method of the serpentine belt around each pulley with a pen and a piece of paper.
  • Step 2 Locate the serpentine-belt tensioner that is in the very center of the engine. The tensioner will have a square bolt head in the center of the tensioner pulley.
  • Step 3 Slide the open end of the 5/8-wrench onto the square bolt head in the center of the belt-tensioner pulley. Turn the tensioner pulley counterclockwise and slide the serpentine belt off of the tensioner pulley.
  • Step 4 Remove the serpentine belt from the other pulleys and pull the belt out of the engine compartment.
  • Step 5 Slide the new serpentine belt into the engine compartment and around the crankshaft pulley.
  • Step 6 Route the new serpentine belt around each pulley. Turn the belt-tensioner pulley counterclockwise again and slide the serpentine belt around the tensioner pulley. Release the tensioner and it will tighten the belt around the pulleys. Look over the belt to ensure that it is inside of each pulley.
  • Step 7 Crank the S-60 and look over the serpentine belt with the motor running. Let the engine run for about one minute and shut the engine off. Close the hood.
  • 2helpful
    1answer

    How to remove and replace a serpentine belt 96 saturn

    Click on the following free, direct Link. It has all the Serpentine Belt Diagrams you will need for the 1.9L 4-Cylinder Engine and various Engine Options (AC/No AC etc.), complete with Instructional and Directional Diagrams.

    http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1996/make/saturn/model/sl/1996_saturn_sl_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

    Let me know if this helped or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

    "HOW TO":
    Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with an Automatic Tensioner:
    1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagrams 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.
    0helpful
    1answer

    Tension pulley for serpentine belt making noise

    The Tensioner Pulley Bearings are failing and either the Tensioner Pulley or the Tensioner Assembly (Pulley, Arm and Base) must be removed and replaced.

    Click on the following free direct Link. It has several of the Serpentine Belt Diagrams and Tensioners that are possible with your 4.3L V6 engine.
    http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1998/make/gmc/model/jimmy/1998_gmc_jimmy_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm
    1. Remove the Serpentine Belt.
    "HOW TO":
    Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with a Tensioner:
    A. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagrams on Link)
    B. 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.
    C. Remove the loosened belt off one of the other more easily accessed Pulleys.
    D. DO NOT quickly release the Tensioner, but gently allow the Tensioner to rest in its closed position.

    Removing the Tensioner Pulley: See the Diagrams in the Link.
    After the Belt has been removed, with the Tensioner resting:
    DEPENDING ON WHAT TYPE TENSIONER:
    IF the Tensioner Pulley itself HAS a Bolt Head showing, SOME of these bolts can be removed and the Tensioner Pulley replaced.
    IF the Tensioner Pulley itself DOES NOT HAVE a Bolt Head showing, then go to the Tensioner Base located at the end of the Tensioner Arm. This should have a Bolt Head Showing. Remove this Bolt and the whole Tensioner Assembly will com off.

    When replacing the Tensioner Assembly - MAKE SURE you place the protruding "nipple" on the underside base of the Tesnioner into the appropriate cavity on the engine face.

    Standard Rules for Installing the Serpentine Belt with Tensioners:
    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 or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.Com!
    4helpful
    1answer

    Replacing serpentine belt

    Click on the following direct Link. It has the Serpentine Belt Diagram that you will need depending on your engine size (2.0L or 3.0L) and your options (AC/No AC ect.).
    http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2001/make/mazda/model/tribute/2001_mazda_tribute_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

    Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with a Tensioner:
    1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagrams 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 Tensioners:
    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 or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.Com!
    0helpful
    1answer

    How do you replace the serpentine belt tensioner on 1990 sunbird 2.0 ohc

    Click on the following free direct Link. It has several of the Serpentine Belt Diagrams and Tensioners that are possible with your 2.0L 4-Cylinder engine and engine options (AC/No AC, etc.).

    http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1990/make/pontiac/model/sunbird/1990_pontiac_sunbird_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

    A. Remove the Serpentine Belt.
    "HOW TO":
    Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with a Tensioner:
    1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagrams 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.

    B. Remove the Tensioner:
    Removing the Tensioner Pulley: See the Diagrams in the Link.
    After the Belt has been removed, with the Tensioner resting:

    DEPENDING ON WHAT TYPE TENSIONER:
    (1.) IF the Tensioner Pulley itself HAS a Bolt Head showing, SOME of these bolts can be removed and the Tensioner Pulley replaced.
    (2.) IF the Tensioner Pulley itself DOES NOT HAVE a Bolt Head showing, then go to the Tensioner Base located at the end of the Tensioner Arm. This should have a Bolt Head Showing. Remove this Bolt and the whole Tensioner Assembly will come off.
    (3.) Some Tensioner Assembly's need you to locate and remove mounting bolts.

    If Applicable: When replacing the Tensioner Assembly - MAKE SURE you place the protruding "nipple" on the underside base of the Tensioner into the appropriate cavity on the engine face.

    Standard Rules for Installing the Serpentine Belt with Tensioners:
    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 or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.Com!
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