How do you Change the Serpentine Belt on a 1999 Buick Park Ave?

Answer 1

1999 VIN K Park Avenue 3800 Series. 3 prong 2 bolt Motor mount Serpentine Belt Replacement, made easy.

We had to do this job today and thanks to the OP from the linked thread below, we were able to refine this down to about 2 hours tops.

Step 1: Run the Passenger side of the car up a ramp and chock the rear tires, this allows for better access below

Step 2: Place your Jack with a 2x4 cushion under the passenger side or center of the oil pan, run the jack up to place a "Slight" tension against the motor.

Step 3: You will be removing the two front studs on the two front prongs of the motor mount from the engine. Starting with the top one first. The top stud is a 1/4 inch 6 pointed star, we used a 1/4 Hex socket easily. Loosen this stud but not all the way, leave just a few threads.

Step 4: The bottom stud is sized 5/16 6 pointed star, we easily used a 5/16 Hex socket. It as at your discretion, but you MUST remove the Nut from the stud before you can remove the stud. The body/frame will be in the way just at the seam when trying to remove it.The Stud nut is 11/16.

STEP 5: Now that you have the bottom stud Nut off, unscrew the stud, you will see it hits the frame/body. Using an 11/16th Deep well socket Remove the two motor mount nuts to the left holding the mount to the frame/body. Realize, you are now transferring the weight of the motor down onto the jack.

Step 6: Now remove the top stud completely, pull the bottom stud as far out as you can, LOWER the jack slightly to allow the stud to pass the frame/body. Pull the lower stud out.

Step 7: Behind the studs you will see there are two metal sleeves. adjust the jack gently as needed to manipulate the 2 sleeves out of place. Remove the Sleeves.

Step 8: With the two sleeves removed from the two front prongs on the engine mount, you now have access to remove the serpentine belt. Make a diagram/drawing of the belt and which pulleys it circles before removing it, you will regret not doing this.

Step 9: The bottom pulleys are the key to removing the old and installing the new belt. Remove the belt from the top and rear pulleys first, working your way forward and down. Slip the old belt through the openings where the 2 sleeves were and remove it from the remaining pulleys.

Step 10: Install the new belt in reverse order, starting with the bottom pulleys working up and to the rear. Finally, save the Alternator pulley for last, Adjust the tensioner again, slip the belt over the alternator pulley and let the tension back on. Your new Belt is on!

Step 12: Reinstall the Top sleeve and Stud first! Getting the top lined up will make the bottom one cake. Leave this one loose though.

Step 13: Getting the bottom sleeve is a bit tricky, but with a little effort you can do it, with a little push and a little pry. But in the end it will literally drop right in. Slip the stud in and tighten it back snug, Put the nut back on the stud and snug it tight. Tighten the top stud up snug, then tighten.

Step 14: Gently and slowly start jacking the motor back up to where a sufficient number of threads have come back through. Tighten the nuts back tight.

Step 15: After snugging all the nuts and bolts and ensuring they are tight, lower and remove the jack. Start and test the engine to make sure the belt is correct! Back down the ramp and clean up your mess.You are done.