Directions to installing serpentine belt onto 1999 Lincoln Continental?

Answer 1

This answer will assume you have the diagram and undersand normal belt replacement procedures. A idler pulley tool (a long slim bar with 1/2" or 3/4" socket head is highly recommended.

1. crank your wheels all the way to the right (passenger side). You will need to access the inner fender later.

2. Make sure your new belt is the proper length. Should be 75" or so.

3. unbolt the Power Steering reservoir from the coolant recovery tank.

4. unbolt the coolant recovery tank.

5. Remove upper fill plug on the solid coolant line that runs near the alternator.

6. Remove the radiator hose from the coolant line.

7. Remove the radiator hose from the bottom of the coolant recovery tank.

8. Remove the electrical connection/fill sensor from the bottom of the recovery tank.

9. Remove the coolant recovery tank.

10. review the routing diagram should should be found underneath the 'plastic shroud' that sits on top of the radiator in the engine compartment.

11. remove the inner fender enough so that you can access the pulley's from the side and underneath. There are 'plastic clips' that hold it in.

12. using the idler pulley tool remove the tension on the belt.

13. Remove the belt. It is easier to get the belt off (believe it or not) by routing it underneath the car. If it hangs up do not pull or you may break off something important. If you are getting frustrated simply cut the belt.

14. Install the new belt. This is very challenging and improved suggestions are welcome......

14-1. Focus on getting the 'left' side of the belt wrapped around the idler pulley, top end going underneath the water pump pulley and bottom end on top of the crank pulley. There is very little room here....very very little....

14-2. You will need to switch from top to bottom and add or remove tension on the idler pulley as needed. The belt slips on the idler pulley from the 'engine' side, not from the front of the pulley which is blocked by it's bracket.

14-3. Consider removing the water pump pulley if it is not pressed on. In the end it will save you time....

14-4. Be very patient. To route the belt around the idler pulley you must make a 'cramped U' out of the belt and go in from the bottom (or top). Tie a 'strong string' to the middle of the 'U' if you need help pulling it thru tight spots. Be forewarned. This is very difficult and nearly impossible to do by yourself. Having a helper manipulate the position of the idler saves time.

14-4. If you skipped step 14-3 consider going back to it....

14-5. If you can do this job with the vehicle on a hoist. You will still need to access the top...

This was by far one of the more frustrating things I've ever done on a car which includes installing engines/transmissions, replacing cylinder heads, etc.. The amount of work required to do something so simply is the frustrating part. Wonder what the book provides to do this job.

This was one of the most frustrating jobs I have done, but it is still doable by a shade-tree. I did not have to remove the coolant reseviour as there was just enough give to pull it forward and out of the way, but be careful if you try this because if you force it too much you'll be going to new hoses. I was also changing the alternator and pulling the reseviour forward gave me the space I needed to drop it down and remove it. I would also suggest removing the alt if you want more room and not pulling off the water pump pulley.

By far the most challenging is 14.1, getting the belt wrapped around the idler pulley As I approached it I could see there is a bolt head that will prevent you from getting the belt in. The tenioner only had to be moved a little to gain enough room so since I used a pipe and wedged the idler pulley tool such that the pulley was about half way de-tentioned. This gave me all the room I needed to get by the bolt head and get the belt on the rest of the way without having to go up and down. As the original post stated be patient. It will take some wiggling to get it in but it can be done. Next feed the belt around the crank pulley then water pump then ac and dummy pulley then the alt. You will also gain a lot more room to access the tensioner if you remove the passenger tire. Its just physical room for your body, but not having to squeeze your arm around a tire will make you more comfortable.