Serpentine belt setup

There are constantly questions on the routing of a serpentine belt for various makes and models of engines. The routing of a serpentine belt follows a set pattern, irrespective of the vehicle and by applying a little logic, replacing a belt is not a difficult job.
First rule is that the inside of the belt where the ribbing is, goes around the outside of the grooved pulleys, and these are usually the pulleys that drive parts drawing some power, eg, alternator, power steering pump, AC compressor etc. The water pump is mostly driven by the outside of the belt and the other one or two smooth pulleys would be the tensioner and sometimes an idler wheel.
To fit a belt, view and note all the pulleys that are in line with each other. Loosen off the tensioner pulley, lay the belt across the top two grooved pulleys and pass it over the crankshaft pulley at the bottom. Now pass it over the the other grooved pulleys and work it behind the smooth pulleys so that there is very little slack left in the belt. Make sure that all the pulleys in the routing of the belt have been engaged and that the belt is running straight. Now tighten up the tensioner until the section of the belt that has the longest straight run can be twisted through about 90 deg. without exerting too much force. Turn the engine over several times with the starter and check that the belt is still tight and running on its pulleys.
A hint, before fitting the new belt, feel all the pulleys, especially the tensioner and the idler pulley for play in the bearings. Check the water pump pulley and look for signs of water seepage from the seal drain hole. Replace any parts that appear suspect.
If you feel that you would be more secure with some assistance, feel free to post a question and any number of our experts will be only too willing to give you routing diagrams and hints on fitting a serpentine belt for your specific application.