serpentine belt replacement

[musiclover2000]

I’m going to be changing the tensioner and belt on my 2003 grand am and had a question. For installing the new belt the engine mount is removed

would I support the engine with a block of wood and jack on the oil pan? Don’t want to damage the oil pan if this way is incorrect.

Thank you

Topic

[3SheetsDiesel]

That’s how I’d do it. Just make sure that you put the wood on the corner of the oil pan, rather than the middle, as the corner is stronger.

[619DioFan]

+ 1 on the above answer.

[joescorpio]

ive never heard of having to take an engine mount off for a serpentine belt or tensioner before can u add a picture please?

[dreamer2355]

Quoted From joescorpio:

ive never heard of having to take an engine mount off for a serpentine belt or tensioner before can u add a picture please?

Its very common now to do the above procedure on GM vehicles. Some vehicles also have a engine vibration damper that has to be removed to a access the belt for replacement.

[college man]

keep us posted on your progressC8-)

[musiclover2000]

Thank you S:)

[EricTheCarGuy]

That’s exactly how I do it, it’s not as bad as you might think just make sure the engine is supported when you take the mount loose and you should be fine.

[musiclover2000]

When installing a new belt tensioner does the new one need to be primed some how?

The reason I ask is the new belt and tensioner is installed but theres no tension on the belt. This car actually has 2 belt designs that I wasn’t aware of. First belt

was half inch to long I now have correct belt measured it with old belt after exchanging it from napa. I followed the belt diagram and it seems correct but I could be

wrong. Tensioner seems fine it’s not sloppy or anything like that nice and firm.

Any ideas is very much appreciated

[3SheetsDiesel]

Double check your belt routing, and make sure that the belt is all the way on all the pullies. You’d be amazed at how often a belt will slip off on a pulley when you’re installing it and you won’t notice it happened until you let the tensioner take up the slack. There’s no need to “prime” the tensioner, as it’s a mechanical thing rather than a hydraulic one. Inside of it is a really heavy-duty clock spring, which is what keeps tension on the belt.

[musiclover2000]

Thanks I’ll do that. There’s definitely a trick to those belts for first timers

[EricTheCarGuy]

I too would recommend rechecking your routing, here’s a video I did on the process that might help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg1AX77xEBQ

[musiclover2000]

Got it on properly this past Monday thanks for all the help.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Excellent! Thanks for the update and for using the ETCG forum.

[Author]

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