How do i put the serpentine belt on a 2000 ford zx2 with no hand room? And where is the bolt to loosen/tighten belt?

You need to put a socket with a rachet on the tensioner pulley and manually release the tension this tensioner has a spring in it that you push against to release the tension.

the belt tensioner should maintain the tension if not it needs replacement.if it's slipping you may have a locked pulley.

The water pump is on the front (right side of car) of the engine block, visible with the hood up. NAPA autoparts replacement instructions are to loosen the belt drive pulley from the pump BEFORE removing the serpentine belt.

Once the four bolts are loose, take the belt off (good time to replace?) remove bolts and old water pump (four more bolts)- it will be tight, but it comes out- clean gasaket area and install new gaaket and pump in reverse order. That includes putting the pulley on and hand tightening the bolts, put on the belt, finish tightening the bolts to the pulley. Don't forget the antifreeze..

snuffyj,

Depending on where it is, no. If it's at the top of the engine, it should not be difficult. On some engines they are located below and are difficult to get to. On most however, they're right toward the top and you simply unplug the wiring harness, undo two bolts (leave belt hang on other units, dont' take off) and put new one in. Tighten new alternator by pulling up on it, (or pushing down if applicable; most pull upward/forward. While holding in place (with bar or something if possible), tighten the main (long) bolt to lock it in place. Do not release pressure yet from bar, and tighten the slider bold until snug (tight/should not be able to loosen by hand and require some force with socket/wrench to loosen again).

Please let me know if you need further assistance with this matter.

carsandcomps,

Guru, Premium Expert @Fixya.com

Click on the following free direct Link. It has the correct Serpentine/Drive Belt Diagrams for your 1998 Ford Escort ZX2, 2.0L DOHC In-Line 4-Cylinder Engine.
The Link says 2000 for the Year, however this is the same as the 1998 Year Model.

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/2000/make/ford/model/zx2/2000_ford_zx2_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

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

The tensioner is between the a/c compressor and crank pulley, below the power steering pump. Use a 13 mm wrench to 'tighten' the bolt in the center of the pulley and it'll move to release tension off the belt.

I am sure the leak is the water pump based on years of Escort work, The ZX2 is equipped with a 2.0L DOHC V-Tech engine. The water pump is on the front (rt side of car) of the engine block, visible with the hood up. NAPA autoparts replacement instructions are to loosen the belt drive pulley from the pump BEFORE removing the serpentine belt. Once the four bolts are loose, take the belt off (good time to replace?) remove bolts and old water pump (four more bolts)- it will be tight, but it comes out- clean gasket area and install new gasket and pump in reverse order. That includes putting the pulley on and hand tightening the bolts, put on the belt, finish tightening the bolts to the pulley.

Hey there hardrock,

• Get a 14mm or 9/16" socket and a long handled ratchet or breaker bar.
• Get the belt around all the pulleys except the A/C compressor or Alternator.
• The tensioner pulley is near the Alternator toward the center of the engine. It's on a spring loaded arm. Get your socket on the center nut of this pulley.
• Slowly pull the ratchet toward the center of the engine. The pulley will pivot on the arm allowing you to get the belt on the final pulley.
  
• Slowly release the tension.
  
• You're done

Mike

If you have a book picture your are screwed. You do have a tensioner but it is between air con and powersteering pullys. In front from under you can put 15mm wrenchopend with a nother for leverage pull center bolt down to release tension. simple.