Replacing serpentine belt

I have an 89 Century 3.3 Limited

I recently replaced the altenator, when we put the serpentine belt back on, we had to bump it back around the compressor to get it back on properly. Isn't it suppose to come off and on using the idler pulley? The reason I'm asking is because I need to replace the idler pulley next week. Is there another way to do this? Is a belt tensioner and a idler pulley classified as the same?

I believe that you are correct to say that the idler pulley and belt tensioner are the same. In order to replace the serpentine belt it is nessesary to put a socket on the nut that holds the pulley itself to the tensioner assembly and lift the pulley. This will allow you to slip the belt on and off. If you neede to replace the idler pulley you should remove the belt first, then unscrew the bolt. The bolt has a reverse thread, so turn it as if you were tightening a normal bolt in order to loosen it. The pulley should come right off. Installation is the reverse of removal.

I believe that you are correct to say that the idler pulley and belt tensioner are the same. In order to replace the serpentine belt it is nessesary to put a socket on the nut that holds the pulley itself to the tensioner assembly and lift the pulley. This will allow you to slip the belt on and off. If you neede to replace the idler pulley you should remove the belt first, then unscrew the bolt. The bolt has a reverse thread, so turn it as if you were tightening a normal bolt in order to loosen it. The pulley should come right off. Installation is the reverse of removal.

You are an absolute godsend, no wonder I couldn't get the damn thing off, I was loosening it like normal!