How do i change the serpentine belt on my 3.8. Seems pretty easy. I know I have to pay attention to the pattern that it is in. Do i remove one of the pullies to get the belt off? Which one do I take off? And does it just sscrew back on nice and easy?

 

No you don't have to pull the pullies. You're belt is held tight by the use of a "tensioner pulley" you put a wrench or socket on that pulley (it has reverse threads) so that when you put torque on it, its built-in spring will ease up a little allowing you enough slack to slip the belt off the rest of the pulley's.

You should have a diagram somewhere under the hood as to the belts directional path, probably on the radiator support. It should take you about a half-hour if nothing goes wrong, and you've got the diagram. So long as you are familliar with your engine enough to tell the A/C compressor from the Water Pump, and Crank damper etc etc.

 

It's very easy.

1. Have your car raised, preferrably like on Rhino Ramp.
2. Look at how the current belt is installed. Take note of the smooth side and teethed side.
3. There's also a diagram sticker (usually by the brake fluid reservior) that you can follow if you happen to forget.
4. Tensioner is a small black cylinder with the hex bolt sticking out. This located right below the alternator.
5. Use 1/2"(?) socket wrench and push down counter-clock wise. This is not to loosen the bolt but to push down the tensioner.
6. You'll notice that the old belt is loose. Take them off as you keep the tensioner pushed down.
7. Install the new belts starting from below (waterpump etc.) This is why you want the car on the ramp/jacked up.
8. Once you verified that the teeth/smooth is all installed correct,
push down the tensioner again to slip on the new belt.
9. Recheck one more time that the belt is aligned and installed correct both from top and bottom.
10. Start the engine to make sure the belt is on with no slippage or squealing sound.
11. You're done!


PS. I used the Goodyear Gator belts purchased from Auto Zone which worked quite well.

 

Very cool guys thanks, sounds simple enough. As always, I try searching the net so i don't post stupid questions here and I cant find anything helpful, within half hour of posting here I always get a good simple answer

Thanks you guys rock

 

A lot of people try to put the belt back on the tensioner while putting tension on it like its the rules and it has to go on that way. And it can be difficult depending on engine layout and work space allotted. But, what I like to do is get the belt and slip it over everything, including the tensioner, and then hit the tensioner with a wrench (apply torque not physically smack it) and then slip the belt over the alternator as the last pulley. I find it a lot easier.

 

If you have AIM = message me, I can upload pictures if that would help. "Bliggida" on AIM