kksiu2002

How do I tighten the serpentine drive belt? I can't figure out how to loosen the idler pully so I can make the belt tighter. I don't see a bolt on it. Thanks.

MTI

The serpentine belt has a belt tensioner, on the 2.3L it's next to the power steering resevoir.

kksiu2002

I see a large bolt, maybe 15mm. I also see the pulley, but it has a cover on it. I didn't get a chance to remove the cover today. Please tell me how to adjust the tension. I also see something attached to the pulley; it looks like a shock absorber of some sort. However, I don't see a spring. Thanks yall.

190shadetree

Loosen the bolt in the center of the tensioner pulley. You only need to loosen it about 1/2 turn. Now, up next to the distributor, pointing straight up and located at 1 o'clock (when facing car from front bumper) is the tensioning adjustment nut. Turn the long nut on a stud clockwise to tighten the belt and counter clockwise to loosen. There is an adjustment arrow down below the tensioner pulley. If you want to use it, loosen the adjustment nut to allow a lot of slack in the belt. Move the adjustment arrow to the left with your hand until it is at the leftmost indicator. Now, tighten the adjustment nut. When the belt starts to tigthen, the arrow will move to the right. It's tight enough when the arrow is at the end of the indicator area or the seventh notch (depends on year of car). Tighten the bolt on the tensioner pulley and you are done.

Acid test: When you are done, grab the belt and try to forcefully move it up and down. If the belt loosens, you have a worn tensioner assembly and will have to replace it. It can't be repaired. Cost is about a hundred bucks. I need one at the moment.