DRIVE BELT (DRIVEBELT), how to replace?

[codechimp]

Hello again

Do you really need two pairs of hands to replace a Serpentine drivebelt?!

I thought all I'd have to do is release the tensioner somehow, replace the belt and then gradually re-apply the tensioner until the belt is in place.

However, I can't work out how to temporarily stop the tensioner tensioning so I can remove the old belt and put the new one on.

There is the bolt on the tensioner but that appears to secure it to the engine and not disable / enable the tensioner.

What am I to do? (I thought I'd ask you guys first before finding out the hard way!)

Many thanks

[targarama]

I used a long bit of wood/steel bar (A trolley jack handle was about the right length. After experimenting with the best place for a fulcum, you can 'lever' up the tensioner pulley and slip the old belt off in seconds. Getting the new one on is easy once you've got the nack of it, just don't let the bar slip causing you to scrape your knuckles or similar. (Make sure the new one is the right length before you take the old one off ... just in case).

[Big Al.]

Find a ring spanner that fits the nut on the alternator, slip the ring over the nut and push on the spanner. The alternator will pivot away from you and allow you to fit your new belt.

Do not undo the nut, just swing the alternator out of the way.

[Ribol]

Big Al. said:

Find a ring spanner that fits the nut on the alternator, slip the ring over the nut and push on the spanner. The alternator will pivot away from you and allow you to fit your new belt.

Not on my serp

When I did mine I got the old one off easy enough but could not get the slightly tighter new one on. Ended up taking the tensioner off, putting it in the vice and moving it backwards and forwards to loosen it off a bit. It gave it enough travel to get the belt on.
I used a sliding T 1/2" drive bar to move the tensioner - perfect.
An extra pair of hands would help but got it done on my own in the end.
Watch out for the wiring loom that gets in the way.

>> Edited by Ribol on Saturday 4th December 22:26

[Big Al.]

I stand corrected, only ever seen it done!

Thanks for the tip Ivan.

[Ribol]

Big Al. said:

I stand corrected, only ever seen it done! Thanks for the tip Ivan.

Any Tuscans on the horizon yet

[Big Al.]

Ribol said:

Any Tuscans on the horizon yet

Cancelled Mate. Gonna let the new boy show his colours before making a commitment.


Looking at BIG Cobra's at the monment! OH

[Ribol]

Big Al. said:

Cancelled Mate. Gonna let the new boy show his colours before making a commitment. Looking at BIG Cobra's at the monment! OH

Can't say I blame you to be honest, who knows how that one will pan out.
BIG Cobras? Give us a clue then, you can't just leave it at that

[Big Al.]

Ribol said:

Give us a clue then, you can't just leave it at that

YHM.

[codechimp]

What an excellent tip, Targarama

I had the old belt off in no time. Getting the new one on was pretty easy, too: I just had to push my lever a bit harder.

I used my trolley jack handle, as you suggested, against the side of the exhaust manifold - with a folded rag against the manifold to protect it, and to avoid slipperage.

Fantastic. Old belt off, pulleys cleaned, new belt on. 15 minutes. No need to fiddle around putting the correct tension on the belt. Why don't more engines have a similar mechanism?

Many thanks Targarama