I can't find the belt tension release on a 2004 ford taurus. i was able to get the alternator out but can't get it back in without releasing the belt tension.. looked for a notch ot hole for a breaker bar and I don't see one.

Should be automatic tension-er on that model, just rotate it one way or the other to release the tension, remove old belt, then re-install new one, release the tensioner to take up slack.

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There is normally a spring loaded tension pulley that you can release tension on by using a ratchet or breaker bar placed in the square hole on the arm holding the pulley.

The 8th digit of your car's VIN (vehicle identification number) tells you the engine
type for your car - your choices for Ford Taurus are U (3.0L), and S (3.0L).
I've included the Ford SHO engine too.




Serpentine belt for 3.0L (Vin U) Ford Taurus


Serpentine belt for 3.0L (Vin S) Ford Taurus


Serpentine Belt for Ford 3.4L SHO engine


Water Pump belt for Ford 3.4L SHO engine

REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

1. Attach a 15mm socket or wrench to the bolt attaching the tensioner pulley.
2. On all 3.0L (OHV) engines, rotate the drive belt tensioner clockwise to relieve belt tension and slide the belt off the pulleys.
3. On 3.0L (DOHC) engines, rotate the tensioner counterclockwise to relieve belt tension and slide the belt off the pulleys.
   

To install:

1. Install the drive belt on all the pulleys except the tensioner pulley.
2. Rotate the belt tensioner as outlined in the removal procedure to relieve belt tension and install the belt onto the tensioner pulley. Make sure the V-grooves make proper contact with the pulleys. Make sure the spring keeper releases or improper belt tension will occur.

Tip: you may want to get (free) a serpentine belt installation tool kit to help with this job.
Both Advance Auto Parts and AutoZone wisely have loan-a-tool programs that permit you
to borrow (for a deposit) their serpentine belt installation kits - which allow their
handy customers to use their auto parts rather than towing it to a garage.

FOR ROUND BELT TENSIONERS YOU CAN USE A SOCKET WRENCH OR BOX END WRENCH TO TURN CENTER BOLT COUNTERCLOCK WISE TO RELEASE BELT TENSION.WHILE SLIP BELT OFF THE ALTERNATOR. IF BELT TENSIONER NOT THE ROUND TYPE YOU NEED THE BELT TENSIONER TOOL.

Release the tension on the belt, remove the wiring on back of alternator and remove the bolts. Installation is reverse of removal.

tension er uses a square hole for installation o ratchet with out socket on it,using just the ratchet you will be able to push against the spring and remove the belt.

You have a belt tensioner on this car. It simply keeps the belt stretched at the max at a very tight fit. You will notice a 3/8" square hole in the middle of the housing. That is were a 3/8 ratchet will be placed to apply pressure to releive the tensioner to remove the belt

To loosen the belt use a 15mm socket on the tensioner pulley. Turn clockwise if you have a OHV engine or counterclockwise if your engine is OHC. Turning this bolt will release pressure on the belt allowing you to remove it from the other pulleys.To identify the tensioner pulley it is just above and to the right of your crankshaft.
Hope this was helpful.

it's the round wheel that looks like it's not driving any accessory. use a 3/8 inch socket pry bar to relieve the tension so you can get the belt off..... make sure you know how to get the belt back on properly

Robert

the belt tensioner is on the lower left of the engine there is a 1/2 drive square hole on the right hand side pulley arm to release the tension its a pain to get at but you can, sometimes it is easier from the bottom