Tensioner pulley how do you release tension on the pulley? I have undone the hex head and the pulley is still stuck in place. Do I need to take the screw loose that is going through the pulley itself?

idler pulley has a torque spec of 37ftlbs the tensioner has a internal pre load so when you use the 19mm hex plug to move it it sets itself when you release it

Serpentine belt replacement is not complicated and requires only one tool. Find the tension pulley located at the bottom of the motor. This pulley is attached to a very strong spring and holds the belt tight against the pulleys through its serpentine route around the engine. Use a socket wrench with a matching socket the same size as the hex head bolt in the center of the tension pulley. Attach the socket and set the direction to tighten the same direction the spring action allows the pulley to move. Turn the wrench handle, the pulley moves and the tension on the belt slackens. Take the belt off the pulley and let it hang. 
To install the new belt Once the belt is around the pulleys allow it to hang freely at the bottom of the engine. Again, use the socket wrench to turn the tension pulley far enough so the belt can be wrapped around the pulley. Once the belt is around the tension pulley, release the socket wrench and allow the tension pulley to take up the slack. 
Good Luck!!

look for a belt tenshoner pulley, on some they have a place to insert a hex hey or a standard bolt, use a wrachet with a long handle and push the tensioner down away from the belt because its on a loaded spring. while holding the tensioner down with one hand, slip the belt off the pulley. release the tensioner and slip of the belt. When putting on the new belt repeat the same steps; tensior pushed down, slip on the belt release tensioner

Use a tensioner pulley kit (or a 1/2" breaker bar if equipped with a 1/2" square hole) to release tension on the belt by rotating the tensioner until tension is released on the belt. properly.

Some tensioners don't have a square hole to put a breaker bar, but must be turned at the pulley's stationary hex bolt.

Good luck on replacing the serpentine belt.

On the Caravan, there are several "pulleys" on the front of the engine. One of which is called the "tensioner", The tensioner has either a slot in it(that you can use 3/8 drive ratchet, or extension in it) , or a Hex shaped, or bolt head shaped piece on it. And it is spring loaded, for auto adjustment. And in most cases, there is a sticker under the hood that will show you the belt routing diagram.(if not, check your owners manual in the glove compartment). You will need to loosly position the belt over the pullys as shown in the diagram. And then using your tool to move the tensioner pulley back, will give the belt enough room to place it over the last remaining pulley. Then just release the tension that you have on your tool, and remove it, and you should be in business.

the pulley is on a lever, at the end of the lever there is a hex to put a wrench on. just above the ps pump. it pulls clockwise, pull it slowly.

if you know routing around pulleys the belt tensioner pulley should have a square hole or bolt head to place a ratchet pull tensioner to let belt fit around pulleys when in place release tensioner presser will hold belt in place with motor running look for correct tracking and alignment of belt around pulleys

2001 TOYOTA COROLLA - L4 1.8L 1762cc GAS FI N 1ZZFE
2001 TOYOTA COROLLA - L4 1.8L 1794cc GAS FI N R 1ZZFE

Multiple Accessory, w/A.C.


Hope helped with this; remember rated this help. Good luck.

I'm not absolutely certain on your year but if you check the inside diameter of the belt tensioner you should find either a square or hex hole or a hex bolt head in the middle. If so just take the appropriate tool and by using it as a lever you will be able to release the tension from the belt. It takes two hands so be careful that the tool does not slip off. Most tension pulleys work this way differing only in the type of tool used as the lever.
Hope this helps.

buy a new tensioner assembley and idler pully and might as well get a new belt while your at it. you will need a 3/8 ratchet a 15 mm socket and a 13 mm socket there is one bolt holding on tensioner remove it discard old tensioner put new tensioner in place and tight bolt. second remove bolt from idler pulley discard old pulley put inton place and tighen bolt. next install belt fallow belt routing digram put head of 3/8 rattachet into hole on tensioner or on bolt head of tensioner pulley depending on style of tensioner and pull or push to create slack in belt push belt into groves on all pulleys and release tensioner