How do you replace a serpentine belt on a 2000 Infiniti QX4?

Answer 1

Answer

On the 2000 QX4 you will have 3 belts. Starting from the fan blade back to the engine block, look to the left of the fan blade. There will be a tension pulley which looks like a smooth wheel with no pump or motor behind it. Release the lock on it by loosening the bolt in the center of the wheel (just until the bolt becomes loose or can be turned by hand). Above and slightly behind it is a bolt facing down that moves the wheel up or down, creating the belt tension. Loosen this bolt until the belt can be slid out. Next is a similar set up to the right of the fan blade. This will control the pulley for the 2nd belt. Finally, crawl underneath for the Power Steering belt (the last belt). Remove the black splash-guard to get access. Looking up on the pump, there will be 2 bolts. The one on the left, conveniently placed against the firewall, and one on the right, which mounts the p/s pump bracket to the engine. Break the tension on the right bolt so the bracket can move up and down, then tighten the bolt on the left (which commonly can be turned about 1/16 of a turn because of it's location - be patient!) Tightening will push the pump towards the engine, allowing the belt to be slid off. Replace the belts and manipulate the nuts in the reverse order of removing, inspecting that they're on the pulley correctly and in the correct place. Replace the splash-guard.

Note: When removing the belts, many of the bolts may be very hard to begin turning. Once you have broke the tension on them, they should turn relatively easy. Once you've broke the tension on the binding bolt (the center of the two pulley wheels and the bolt closest to the engine on the p/s bracket), the belt tension bolts should turn easily. If the belt tension bolts become difficult to turn, consider loosening a bit more to the opposing bolt which might be putting tension on the bracket you're moving or checking that you're not tightening the belt.

Tools required: You can complete the entire job with a metric 10,12,14 standard depth socket with a couple extensions. Also have a 12 and 14 open end wrench.