Safety Glasses
Gloves
Ratchet Set
Serpentine Belt
Idler Pulley
Tensioner
Breaker Bar (optional)
Step 1: Locate Your Serpentine Belt
Turn off your vehicle, lift the hood and let the engine cool down.
The belt will be the first thing to come off and the last thing to go back on, so find the routing layout of your vehicle’s serpentine belt. Each model will be different. On our Jeep, we have a diagram of the belt routing on the radiator support, but you can usually find the layout in your owner’s manual or somewhere in the engine compartment. For an easy reference, take a picture of the diagram so you’ll have it handy.
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Do It Right: In some cases, you may have to make a sketch of the belt routing. Your diagram should indicate where the tensioner is located. |
Step 2: Remove the Old Belt, and Replace the Tensioner and Idler Pulley
Use your ratchet and socket to rotate the belt tensioner to relieve tension on the belt. Then slip the serpentine belt off one of the pulleys. If you need more leverage, use a breaker bar.
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Do It Right: If your vehicle has a manual tensioner, you’ll tighten the bolt to keep it in place once tension is relieved. |
Once the serpentine belt is slipped off, you can remove your ratchet from the tensioner. Now you can remove the belt completely.
To remove the tensioner, you’ll remove the bolt or bolts securing it. Be sure to keep those bolts in case your new tensioner doesn’t include them.
Install your new tensioner by bolting it in place, and torqueing the bolts to manufacturer’s specifications.
On our vehicle, the idler pulley is on the tensioner itself, but an idler pulley can be separate from the tensioner and is typically held in place by a single bolt. To remove one, hold the pulley steady with one hand and remove the bolt with your ratchet.
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Do It Right: Any time you install an idler pulley, be sure the bolt is torqued to manufacturer's specifications. |
Step 3: Replace the Idler Pulley and Install a New Belt
Make sure your pulleys are clean before installing your new serpentine belt. Inspect and clean all the accessory pulleys to ensure no oil or grease is on them. A greasy pulley will contaminate the belt as soon as you start your vehicle. Soap and water works great for this.
Use your diagram as a reference, and start routing your new serpentine belt from the bottom. Get the belt looped onto all but one pulley. You’ll need your ratchet to turn the belt tensioner enough to get the belt around the last pulley.
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Do It Right: Once the belt is in place, check it at each pulley to make sure it’s properly seated to avoid abnormal wear. Good belt-to-pulley contact is necessary for the belt to create the friction needed to transfer power to the accessories. |
Now you can remove your ratchet. Start up your engine, and take a look from a safe distance to make sure the serpentine belt is staying seated the way it should be with the vehicle running.
How to Repair a Leaky Sunroof
Few things are worse than getting into a car with a wet interior after a storm. But, you can make sure it never happens again with a simple procedure that works on any make or model.
How to Replace a Blower Motor
Your blower motor is the fan that moves air into the cabin of your vehicle. Your heater, defroster and air conditioner all depend on the blower motor to function properly. When your vehicle is not pushing air through the vents, you may need to replace your blower motor.
How to Install Windshield Wipers
Windshield wiper blades are your first line of defense when the weather begins obstructing your vision through the windshield. Having good wiper blades, and replacing them when needed, will keep you safe on the road.
The automotive repair work depicted in this series is performed under the direction of the manufacturer of the product featured. Prior to undertaking any of the demonstrated repairs on your vehicle, we suggest you consult with a certified mechanic or another professional who can adequately advise you of the proper repair or remedy required. O’Reilly Automotive Stores, Inc. and its affiliates (“O’Reilly”) disclaims any responsibility for injury or damage resulting from a viewer’s attempt to recreate the repairs shown in this series.