How do you change the serpentine belt and the water pump belt on a 1996 Ford Taurus?

Answer 1

They are one and the same! Release the belt tensioner to remove belt easier! The belt tensioner is located just under the power steering pump! Use a 3/8 ratchet (socket wrench) insert it into the belt tensioner. There isn't much room to work there but you can do it. Let the ratchet fall towards the firewall and to release tension, pull towards the front of the vehicle. Remove belt from under water pump first, this will give your all the slack you need to remove the whole belt. When installing a new belt, put belt under water pump last when you have released the tension.

Notes:

If your belt is not fitting right, like you have a lot of belt loose! You have installed it wrong.

Diagram for the belt should be on the inside of your bonnet, as you look up.

Using a ring spanner on the handle of the ratchet can help to retrieve the ratchet when letting ratchet fall towards the firewall.

A faster way to remove belt is to cut it! But that's how I do it! You may differ!

Hope this helps!