just remove the water pump not the timing cover
Yes, if the belt tension is not tight enough it won't spin the radiator fan due to slippage. Replace the tensioner pulley.
it is quite involved it is behind the engine front crank pulley you need to remove the oil pan and the pulley not to mention the radiator to give you some space to work
When you replace the timing belt you should replace the water pump and tensioner pulley as well. It may save you in labor costs down the road. But, all together it is about $500.
The 1996 Geo Tracker 1.6 liter engine timing marks can be found on the outside of the main pulley. The timing marks will be scattered around the pulley.
Look at the radiator fan, behind it you should see a pulley. The pulley is connected to the water pump. The center pulley is attached to the water pump. It is not a hard pump to replace, just a pain in the rear to do so. Y-THINK-Y
Which pulley?
The tension pulley should have a bolt that holds it on, allowing you to replace the unit.
Remove the radiator and the clutch fan , Then remove the belts .You will have to loosen Alternator and the A/C compressor to do this . On the crank pulley there is 5 small bolts (8mm) around the inside of the pulley. Take them out . Then remove the pulley . Take the bolts out of the Timing cover and remove it . Under it you will find the Timing belt . It has a Tenisioner that has to be loosened . FIRST if possible align the timing marks . before removing the belt . This can be done by turning the large bolt that is in the end of the crank. . But if the belt is broken or damaged . Align the bottom pulley key way with the mark on the oil pump 12:00. . and the top pulley with the notch in the metal plate that is behind the top pulley . 12:00 . Install the belt. Then tighten the tensioner. reassemble in reverse order
Locate the idler pulley and release the tension. Remove old belt and replace it with the new one (there should be a sticker on the underside of the hood or on the radiator housing showing the path for the belt) and re-tighten the idler pulley.
Remove the old, damaged idler pulley and replace it with a new one.
take a 3/8" ratchet, insert it into the square piece of the tension pulley till it loosens the belt enough to slip it off the pulley for the alternator, take out the bolts holding the alternator to the bracket, unplug the wires, and reverse to put new one on.
The idler pulley is located just under the A/C compressor. There is a bolts in the middle of the pulley that needs to be removed and the idler pulley can be removed. Sometimes these bolts stick and my need to be pryed off. You may also want to removed the radiator fans cow to give you some extra room.