Tools and materials needed:
- New serpentine belt (refer to your vehicle's owner's manual for the specific size)
- Wrench set
- Socket set
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Safety glasses
Instructions:
1. Park your car on a level surface and apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off the engine and allow it to cool down.
3. Open the hood of your car.
4. Locate the serpentine belt.
- The serpentine belt is usually located on the front of the engine, wrapped around the pulleys of the crankshaft, water pump, power steering pump, and alternator.
5. Use a wrench to loosen the tensioner pulley.
- The tensioner pulley is usually located near the top of the engine, on the side opposite the crankshaft.
- There will be a bolt that holds the tensioner pulley in place. Loosen this bolt using a wrench.
6. Remove the old serpentine belt.
- Once the tensioner pulley is loosened, you can remove the old serpentine belt by simply pulling it off.
- It may be necessary to use a pry bar to help remove the belt from the pulleys.
7. Install the new serpentine belt.
- Start by wrapping the new serpentine belt around the pulleys in the same way that the old belt was installed.
- Ensure that the belt is routed correctly around all the pulleys.
- Once the belt is in place, use the wrench to retighten the tensioner pulley.
8. Check the tension of the serpentine belt.
- The tension of the serpentine belt should be checked using a belt tension gauge.
- The tension will vary depending on the vehicle, so refer to your owner's manual for the correct specification.
9. Lower the car off the jack stands and remove the jack.
10. Close the hood of your car.
11. Start the engine and check the serpentine belt for proper operation.
12. Test drive the car and listen for any unusual noises or vibrations.
The serpentine belt is crucial to your car's engine performance, so if you notice any issues, seek expert help immediately.
