Serpentine Belts

Most cars and trucks today have what is called a serpentine belt which runs most accessories.They are very dependable and usually easy to replace. To decide if your belt needs replacing, simply look at the grooved side of the belt to see if it is cracking badly. A couple of cracks every 3 inches is normal, but if you see cracks every 1-2 inches I would recommend that you replace it. On most cars and trucks the procedure is basically the same. First off, get the correct belt by bringing your cars VIN number to the parts store(located on your cars dashboard) the parts store may need it. If there are two choices, get them both so you can complete the repair. Once you have the correct belt, take a minute to review how the belt runs across the pulleys and also check to see if your car/ truck has a underhood diagram of belt routing in case you need it. In most cases you will need a socket wrench or breaker bar with either a 3/8" and /or 1/2" head on it and possibly a short extension. Some models may require a wrench of these similar sizes.Now that you are ready to go to work, you will need to find the spring loaded tensioner which is generally located near the top of the belt path; it usually has a shinny pulley on it. Look at the tensioner and insert the tool into it and apply opposing pressure to release the belt.Now, simply install the new belt making sure it fits into the grooves on all the pulleys. Start the car to check it and you are done and you saved yourelf some money!

I am trying to save myself some money and I want to change the serpentine belt on my 1998 ford contour 2 L manual transmission....any ideas out there I would really appreciate any advice.

it is possable to do that but it may cause damage to your air conditoning system to have the pump sitting idol when the rest of the systems are running. but if it already doesn't work whats the harm?

You have a bolt in the center of the belt tensioner. Loosen that bolt. Then you have a bolt on top of the tensioner turn it I think counter clockwise (It doesn't get loose go the other way). Pull belt off and put on new belt and tight up the bolt on top of the belt tensioner so belt is tight and tighten if the center screw.

You don't. The belt tensioner is spring loaded.

If you look very very closely at the tensioner, there are wear-indicator marks that can confirm the belt has stretched beyond its useful life.

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I have used a socket with a ratchet handle. The ratchet will allow you to get more travel to move the pulley and get the belt off.

If it's a 3.8 with a single serpentine belt with the tensioner at the right rear engine compartment. You have to remove the engine mount and raise the front of the moter that is the only way to get a wrench on the tensioner . .

tension pullys have a small square in the side that a rachet will fit in.. they are "spring loaded" and if you put a ratchet in it you should be able to pull it back with ease and remove the belt hope this helps

Most cars and trucks today have what is called a serpentine belt which runs most accessories.They are very dependable and usually easy to replace. To decide if your belt needs replacing, simply look at the grooved side of the belt to see if it is cracking badly. A couple of cracks every 3 inches is normal, but if you see cracks every 1-2 inches I would recommend that you replace it. On most cars and trucks the procedure is basically the same. First off, get the correct belt by bringing your cars VIN number to the parts store(located on your cars dashboard) the parts store may need it. If there are two choices, get them both so you can complete the repair. Once you have the correct belt, take a minute to review how the belt runs across the pulleys and also check to see if your car/ truck has a underhood diagram of belt routing in case you need it. In most cases you will need a socket wrench or breaker bar with either a 3/8" and /or 1/2" head on it and possibly a short extension. Some models may require a wrench of these similar sizes.Now that you are ready to go to work, you will need to find the spring loaded tensioner which is generally located near the top of the belt path; it usually has a shinny pulley on it. Look at the tensioner and insert the tool into it and apply opposing pressure to release the belt.Now, simply install the new belt making sure it fits into the grooves on all the pulleys. Start the car to check it and you are done and you saved yourelf some money!

You should be able to find a shop manual for this at the local library...make copies of the right pages...)

Attemting to change the alternator in a 2008 Chevy Impala. Have everything loose but the the rear bolt hits the firewall and will not come out. The other bolt to the rear that holds the alternator and also a wire bundle is lose, but I didn't take it out because the housing is slotted. Do I need to take it out also? I have the side bolt out (next to the fender). There are two lines over the alternator. What do I do with those? Can't see the the elctric terminal enough to figure out how to release it. Any ideas ?

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on the tensioner by the front pulley there is a square looking part that can be pushed up or down by using a 3/4 or 7/8 wrench

Most cars and trucks today have what is called a serpentine belt which runs most accessories.They are very dependable and usually easy to replace. To decide if your belt needs replacing, simply look at the grooved side of the belt to see if it is cracking badly. A couple of cracks every 3 inches is normal, but if you see cracks every 1-2 inches I would recommend that you replace it. On most cars and trucks the procedure is basically the same. First off, get the correct belt by bringing your cars VIN number to the parts store(located on your cars dashboard) the parts store may need it. If there are two choices, get them both so you can complete the repair. Once you have the correct belt, take a minute to review how the belt runs across the pulleys and also check to see if your car/ truck has a underhood diagram of belt routing in case you need it. In most cases you will need a socket wrench or breaker bar with either a 3/8" and /or 1/2" head on it and possibly a short extension. Some models may require a wrench of these similar sizes.Now that you are ready to go to work, you will need to find the spring loaded tensioner which is generally located near the top of the belt path; it usually has a shinny pulley on it. Look at the tensioner and insert the tool into it and apply opposing pressure to release the belt.Now, simply install the new belt making sure it fits into the grooves on all the pulleys. Start the car to check it and you are done and you saved yourelf some money!

I did this a few years ago on my 2000 Durango. This was very straightforward and a little difficult. Bought the part from the dealer - about $135 if I remember correctly. I then just removed the serpentine belt and unbolted and removed the existing tensioner. This was easy so far. I then tried to put the new one in. Very difficult to get the bolts in. Tried removing brackets in the way - this didn't really help. I just kept at it and finally got everything together. Good luck. I did this a few years ago on my 2000 Durango. This was very straightforward and a little difficult. Bought the part from the dealer - about $135 if I remember correctly. I then just removed the serpentine belt and unbolted and removed the existing tensioner. This was easy so far. I then tried to put the new one in. Very difficult to get the bolts in. Tried removing brackets in the way - this didn't really help. I just kept at it and finally got everything together. Good luck.

Checking ribbed drive belts at every oil change, and the position of the self-adjusting mechanism indicator, will insure you catch a bad belt long before it snaps.

The backside of the serpentine drive belt, or the smooth side, usually drives the water pump. If the serpentine belt gets oil soaked or glazed, it will slip and not provide the proper circulation to keep the engine cool. And if there is oil on the serpentine belt, it's coming from somewhere so you will need to find out where and fix it before putting on a new serpentine drive belt.

Look for tears or abrasions. If you see any it means the serpentine drive belt is rubbing a pulley flange or bolt as it winds it way around. This will happen more often as the drive belt gets older. If this happens you may need to file a pulley flange smooth or bend something out of the way.

Also look for pinholes and/or bumps. If you see any it means dirt and debris is getting in between the serpentine drive belt and the pulleys. Turn the belt around and see if there are chunks of the ribs missing. You can crank the engine to expose sections of belt as you inspect. A few, small widely spaced chunks are okay, But if there are many and/or close together, replace the serpentine drive belt. Hairline cracks are normal, but if they go into the backing, or flat side, of the serpentine drive belt you will need to replace it.

A good rule of thumb for serpentine drive belts is that if cracks are observed 3 mm (1/8 in) apart, all around the belt, the belt may be reaching the end of its serviceable life and should be considered a candidate for changing. Small cracks spaced at greater intervals should not be considered as indicative that the belt needs changing. However, the onset of cracking typically signals that the belt is only about halfway through its usable life.

If you take a very close look at the belt routing, it passes over a pulley wheel that is part of the belt *tensioner*. This keeps the belt tight as it drives the various engine parts (water pump, power steering pump, a/c, etc).

On the side of the tensioner are wear indicator markings - extremely hard to see - clean the area with a rag and a flashlight will help.

My opinion is the serpentine belt is such a critical part (can you say dead - stranded on the side of the road?), I replace mine about 30-50,000 miles as a preventive measure.

Some experts recommend a 30,000 or 60,000 replacement interval.

Btw, a belt costs about $20-30

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Serpentine belts can run in price from $20 to $100 depending on the make and engine.

It's the belt the runs and turns all of the necessary engine components like the alternator, AC compressor, engine fan, waterpump, crankshaft, and others as well. It's the same kind of belt as in all engines..except on the Ram all of the components were designed in an alignment so that only 1 belt operates all devices. Hence someone coined "serpentine"...meaning "snakelike". Most engines have more than 1 belt.

You have to loosen the bolt on the top of the engine under the a/c line. It�s a 14mm bolt and you need a long extension to get to it. Then I suggest jacking up the car to get under it and the middle is a tension pulley and you have to loosen that and it also is a 14mm I think. A long box wrench works the best to get it loose. Then you can take the belt off. I am not sure how to do the power steering belt that is what I was looking for help with. To change the power steering belt 1st you need to have the A/C, alternator belt off as described above. I recommend removing the passenger front tire and safely block the car up. To the left of the power steering pump is a long bolt running up and down with the head on the bottom of the bolt. Up toward the top is a small bolt that needs to be lossened. I believe it is a 12 mm head. Once that is loosened then turn the bolt head that is on the bottom of the long bolt counter(also 12mm) clockwise till it pulls the P/S pump upward and loosens the belt. Replace the belt and reverse the procedure to tighten the new belt up.

need diagram of the sepentine belt and how it go on.

It would be the "H" deck at the link below; the various 46" decks it would be the first one shown and the top belt goes to the top pulleys on each on each side(not shown.)

If it is the belt that drives the alternator, then yes. In many cars, the serpentine belt (the huge, long belt that most think is the "belt" in their car) drives the alternator, and so if it's loose or slipping, will cause the alternator to run sporadically, which will result in a battery that doesn't retain a charge like it should.

YOU WILL NEED A SPECIAL TOOL FROM TOYOTA FOR THE TENSION ARM.

It's called a "wrench". You can buy them other places, too.

If you look at the tensioner arm assembly (at the back of the engine compartment), just above and inboard of the bolt that connects the assembly to the engine block is a hex-nut shaped protrusion. Slide a socket onto this with either a socket wrench or a breaker part. Pull the wrench toward the front of the car. This will release the tension on the belt so that you can slip it off.

Installation of the new belt is the reverse of the removal. It's usually recommend to apply tension to the new belt slowly instead of just letting it snap back.

My belt tensioner snapped as I was driving and I spent only a few hours to fix it. Mine is a '99, so it should be pretty much the same. Pretty much follow this link to find out how to get to the belt assembly: http://www.rldassociates.com/zx2/howto/belt.htm , the link is for replacing the belt itself, but just keep the old belt in there if it's still good and use all that info for taking it off and getting it back on. So, put the car up, the standard jack is fine, you might want to take the wheel off for a little bit better access (although I couldn't get it off because the tire people put it on too tight). Take off the shroud with a 10mm socket. There are 3 bolts to get it off and it's rough, but the right extension will give you decent access. Take the old one off, put the new one in, and have some more fun trying to get the bolts back in. Follow the directions and the diagram to put the belt back on correctly, replace the shroud, put it down, and drive happily.

Most cars and trucks today have what is called a serpentine belt which runs most accessories.They are very dependable and usually easy to replace. To decide if your belt needs replacing, simply look at the grooved side of the belt to see if it is cracking badly. A couple of cracks every 3 inches is normal, but if you see cracks every 1-2 inches I would recommend that you replace it. On most cars and trucks the procedure is basically the same. First off, get the correct belt by bringing your cars VIN number to the parts store(located on your cars dashboard) the parts store may need it. If there are two choices, get them both so you can complete the repair. Once you have the correct belt, take a minute to review how the belt runs across the pulleys and also check to see if your car/ truck has a underhood diagram of belt routing in case you need it. In most cases you will need a socket wrench or breaker bar with either a 3/8" and /or 1/2" head on it and possibly a short extension. Some models may require a wrench of these similar sizes.Now that you are ready to go to work, you will need to find the spring loaded tensioner which is generally located near the top of the belt path; it usually has a shinny pulley on it. Look at the tensioner and insert the tool into it and apply opposing pressure to release the belt.Now, simply install the new belt making sure it fits into the grooves on all the pulleys. Start the car to check it and you are done and you saved yourelf some money!