How do you tighten the tensioner on a 1997 Chevy Malibu 3.1L?

Answer 1

If your serpentine belt is loose, then your tensioner is either bad or it hasn't been seated properly. If you back out the bolt holding the tensioner, you should see small round projection on the side where the tensioner meets the engine. It should fit into a corresponding hole in the engine block. Tighten the bolt. Don't try and do this with the belt in position, it's next to impossible. Use a 1/4" breakover bar and insert it into the tensioner- you will see a place where it will fit. Place it where the handle is pointing toward the firewall. Push down on the bar and the tensioner should move far enough to position the belt over the tensioner. Release the bar and the tensioner should spring back to where it supplies tension to the belt. If it doesn't- then you need a new one. They're relatively cheap, and it's a good idea to get a new one each time you buy a new belt anyway. If your serpentine belt is loose, then your tensioner is either bad or it hasn't been seated properly. If you back out the bolt holding the tensioner, you should see small round projection on the side where the tensioner meets the engine. It should fit into a corresponding hole in the engine block. Tighten the bolt. Don't try and do this with the belt in position, it's next to impossible. Use a 1/4" breakover bar and insert it into the tensioner- you will see a place where it will fit. Place it where the handle is pointing toward the firewall. Push down on the bar and the tensioner should move far enough to position the belt over the tensioner. Release the bar and the tensioner should spring back to where it supplies tension to the belt. If it doesn't- then you need a new one. They're relatively cheap, and it's a good idea to get a new one each time you buy a new belt anyway. If your serpentine belt is loose, then your tensioner is either bad or it hasn't been seated properly. If you back out the bolt holding the tensioner, you should see small round projection on the side where the tensioner meets the engine. It should fit into a corresponding hole in the engine block. Tighten the bolt. Don't try and do this with the belt in position, it's next to impossible. Use a 1/4" breakover bar and insert it into the tensioner- you will see a place where it will fit. Place it where the handle is pointing toward the firewall. Push down on the bar and the tensioner should move far enough to position the belt over the tensioner. Release the bar and the tensioner should spring back to where it supplies tension to the belt. If it doesn't- then you need a new one. They're relatively cheap, and it's a good idea to get a new one each time you buy a new belt anyway.