DriveBelt Tensioner on 95 3.8L

[teggenberger]

Hi, I"m replacing my DriveBelt.
http://home.mchsi.com/~tegg2/belt.htm
My Haynes manual shows the Tensioner for a 3.0L and says the 3.8L is similar (it's not). I found where it's located (toward the back and down) but can't get a really good look at it.
I have several questions:
1) Is the Bolt reverse-threaded ?
2) The tensioner pulley itself (the wheel) looks to be on an 'arm'. Do I loosen the 'arm' bolt or the 'wheel' bolt?
3) When tightening, Do I have to 'pry' to tighten the belt? (or will it auto adjust?)

Thanks alot.

[way2old]

Neither. There should be a square hole that a 1/2 inch drive ratchet fits in. Use this to remove tension on the belt. The tensioner is spring loaded and adjusts itself. Good luck.

[teggenberger]

I believe some have the ratchet drive hole and some have a bolt. I didn't see a ratchet hole anywhere. I have the 3.8L, the manuel shows the 3.0L which does have a ratchet hole.
I'll double check anyway.
thanks.

[busboy4]

on my 3.8 I have always used a open end wrench on the bolt in the middle of the pulley. I get the wrench on the bolt and then slip the handle of my jack over the wrench for leverage. The serpentine belt tools won't fit due to lack of space from the wheel well. Some have said to hold the belt fast to the top of the alternator and then pull it by hand to relieve the tension. I have not personnally used that method but I think it can work.
Hope one of those techniques works.

[teggenberger]

I took a picture of my tension pulley:
http://home.mchsi.com/~tegg2/belt.htm
(I"m still not clear on which bolt and which way loosens, Anyone?)
(By the way, I got the belt off by loosening the Alternator)

It takes an 18mm. Metric wrench sets usually skip 18 (just my luck). And there's not enough room to get my 18mm socket in there. (will find a wrench tomorrow)

I get the wrench on the bolt and then slip the handle of my jack over the wrench for leverage. .

You obviously have a different jack than me...unless your putting your jack handle thru the closed-end of the wrench and then prying...

The serpentine belt tools .

What are those?

pull it by hand to relieve the tension.

So once the bolts loose you still have to muscle then tension pulley loose?

thanks

[busboy4]

Hi, sorry if I was confusing. From the picture I have the same tensioner. I use a combination wrench ( open one end box end on the other). I put the open end on the bolt on the pulley (red arrow). I can then slide my hollow jack handle over the box end portion - it is like a 1 1/2 " pipe. Then I can pry towards the front of the van (clockwise) to relieve the pressure. It is cumbersome but works.

As other writers have indicated, there should also be a 1/2" square hole on the tensioner - I think between the pulley and the installation bolt - green arrow. Try snapping a ratchet or breaker bar into that and then pull forward to relieve the tension. That is ultimately how it is designed, I have just not had a lot of luck, and found the other technique worked.

The serpentine belt tools are long flat steel bars with a socket connection on the end. You can put your socket on them and then reach into the engine compartment to the tensioner. Neat tool, but there is not enough room for it to fit using a socket over the pulley bolt. Perhaps it would work to snap into the socket hole on the tensioner.

As for manhandling the belt, the writer I read did so without loosening any bolts. He simply held the belt fast at the power steering pump to prevent slippage, then grabbed the belt aft of the alternator and pulled forward and slipped the belt off of the alternator pulley. Reverse for installation. I have not tried it but believe it can be done. Perhaps two sets of hands.

good luck

[busboy4]

>>>As other writers have indicated, there should also be a 1/2" square hole on the tensioner - I think between the pulley and the installation bolt - green arrow.<<<

I stand corrected. I believe you will find the socket hole on the back of the pulley housing i.e. exactly opposite the pulley bolt on the inside. On my van it looks very difficult to get a socket in there due to the pipes/hoses out of the water pump.

[teggenberger]

I got it loose (green arrow)....it's not cross-threaded...it 'is' left-to-loosen. (In fact, I took the whole component 'off', that's when I found the 1/2socket hole.)

Originally Posted by busboy4

>>> exactly opposite the pulley bolt on the inside. On my van it looks very difficult to get a socket in there due to the pipes/hoses out of the water pump.

after putting it back on....I had to get under the car with the 1/2" ratchet and 'was' able to crank it (relieve tension).

I'm waiting on my 'buddy' to help get the new belt on (wife's not strong enough). She tried to slip it over the 'idler' (smoot pulley) but couldn't quite get...even with me cranking the tensioner as far as it'd go.

Thanks.

[teggenberger]

Couldn't get it on - between the two of us.
put the old one back on so I can get it to the shop.

[busboy4]

Originally Posted by teggenberger

Couldn't get it on - between the two of us.
put the old one back on so I can get it to the shop.

I'm sorry to hear it has been such a chore. I am surprised, if the new belt is the correct size that you had so much trouble. With the tension off of the pulley (forward) there is usually plenty of play to slip the belt over whichever pulley you use as your final one for the belt.

Good Luck

[teggenberger]

Really sucks..... I just 'cross-referenced' the belt (Serpentine Automotive V-Ribbed Belt (Standard) K061005 ) at the 'Gates Auto' Web Site....
...They (O'Reilly's) 'did' give me the right belt too....
Don't know why it wouldn't go on.
I've still got the achey forearms, scrapes and bruises from where I cranked that 1/2 ratchet...had to get under the car and I cranked it til there was metal on metal...me and buddy both tried, several times.
Not only that, but I gave up trying to get the tranny cooler on as well.
I 'did' get the:
Tranny fluid/filter, Fuel Filter, PCV, and Radiator Flushed...at least.

Thanks again.

[12Ounce]

I just changed the serpertine belt on my '99 3.8. The old one was the original ... had nearly 160k miles on it. It was time for it to be replaced and the cowling was off for other maintenance issues .... making for some extra space.

There looked like very little room for a wrench to be put on the tensioner ... so I decided to try the manhandling method someone mentioned. Not too bad, but don't expect the belt to immediately to go "slack" when you first pull on it ... it takes a moment or two for the belt to slither around the pulleys. Best to have tranny in Park... to keep vehicle from moving. Pull with one hand on belt above the alternator and one hand on belt below. Continue pulling with a good even force, you may be surprised.

If a (very) senior citizen like me can do it ....

Fishing the old belt away from the engine and the new one in place is the difficult part of the task. I chose to pass the belts on a "low" forward path in front of the ac compressor and behind the radiator bottom.