Removing belt tensioner?

I bought my daughter a 97 GTP w/120,000 miles at an auction yesterday, I know nothing of the history of car.

I am replacing the 90 degree elbows, top one is spewing water, I have the alternator off, and have removed 3 tensioner bolts. Tensioner is loose, I left the radiator hoses connected.

I got the top elbow out, but, can't get the tensioner to come off. It will wiggle but that is it. I am afraid to manhandle it for fear of breaking something. What is holding it on?

Thanks in advance

Never mind... Broke the tube from the tensioner housing to the water pump... Got another..... It looked like the tube was cracked and leaking.

while you are at it replace the other one also.

Is there more than one? I only found the one elbow from the tensioner housing to the intake manifold, then the straight tube from the housing to the water pump.

The 97-98 models only have one elbow, between the tensioner and LIM. The 99-03's were redesigned and have 2 plastic elbows, 1 upper, and one lower between the timing cover and the tensioner. The lower fitting on the 97-98's is part of the tensioner, and has an o-ring that i would change while you have it apart (GM#24502846).

The 97-98 models only have one elbow, between the tensioner and LIM. The 99-03's were redesigned and have 2 plastic elbows, 1 upper, and one lower between the timing cover and the tensioner. The lower fitting on the 97-98's is part of the tensioner, and has an o-ring that i would change while you have it apart (GM#24502846).

I had to buy a new tensioner housing, came with new o-ring.... Thanks for the answer.

Just want to say thanks. I think this post is going to save me alot of trouble.

I have the same problem everything is unbolted, the elbow is out (in a lot of little pieces) and now it just wiggles. In the morning I will get a new o-ring and
try to pry the tensioner off without breaking it.

Thanks Again

Gentlemen,

We have a thread at Tips & Maintenance that covers the basics on the tensioner and bypass elbows. Keep in mind this is for '99 and up models with the SII 3800 engine. The tensioner was redesigned for '99 and up. '97 and '98 have the old style with one plastic elbow to the LIM. See link.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=663401