Which Pulley

Just wondering which pully is the tension pulley ? The one below the engine mount ?

Is the spring something that may wear out ? I am getting a whistling noise from that area and I know from my jeep it was my water pump. I bought one for the sunfire to replace (was also having fluctuating temp issues resolved by a new thermostat.)

I did notice while filling up my coolant I spilled some water on the belt and it got quiet thats why I think there may not be enough tension ???



(When does the radiator fan kick on ? Mine didnt seem to kick on after I changed the stat and was running the engine ?)


Sorry for so many questions but is there a way to reset the computer ? I have had the down arrrow in water light on for the longest time.

Thanks in advance !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyone ? Any advice ?

The tensioner pulley should be the one mounted to an arm looking device that will move if twisted on. It is usually located close to the top of the engine close to either the alternator or the top of the engine. If you look at the pulley you should be able to see a spring in the back. And yes they do wear out.
As far as the computer goes you may try resetting it with a code scanner but I doubt that will help.

Ok .. so how does one go about getting this off ? A regular socket will not fit .... does the motor mount need removed ??? Is there a special tool ?

TIA !!!

i belive you need a special tool that you can rent from an autoparts store. Or there might even be a GM part number for the tool

Anyone happen to have the part number for this tool ? Is it a special tool ?

!!!!!

You do NOT need a special tool. I just messed with this this weekend. My only recomendation is get a long wrench. The tensioner is located below the alternator and to the left if you were looking at the engine from the passenger side. The bolt is metric if I remember correctly. 15, 16 or 17mm if I remember correctly. Sorry, Just got off work and really can't remember the exact number.

WARNING! For some reason, I had to turn my tensioner counter clockwise despite the fact that the haynes manual says clockwise.

I needed the special tool. No way was a normal size socket / wrench fitting down there. It was made very very easy with the sprecial wrench !

What is so special about this tool? I used a regular open ended wrench, turned it CCW and it released the tension just fine for me.

The wrench is long w/ a socket that is 1/2 as long as normal. My bolt is embedded in the pulley and would not allow anything else on it. I also had to turn it clockwise so I think something may be a bit different. I have a 99 Sunfire w/ 2.2L

Oh ok I see. The bolt on my 97 2.4 is outward so a regular wrench suits just fine... I probably didnt see that you had a different yr than mine :P