1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, apply the parking brake and turn off the engine.
2. Locate the serpentine belt tensioner. The tensioner is located near the top-front corner of the engine (right side).
3. Use a 1/2-inch drive ratchet and a 15 mm socket to loosen the tensioner. You will need to apply pressure on the tensioner to keep it from moving while you loosen the bolt.
4. Once the bolt is loose, use your hand to push the tensioner arm down and remove the belt from the tensioner pulley.
5. Remove the serpentine belt from other pulleys by hand or using a wrench if necessary.
6. Inspect the belt for any signs of wear, damage, or stretching. If the belt is damaged, replace it with a new one.
7. If the belt is in good condition, you can reuse it. To install the serpentine belt, follow the removal steps in reverse order.
8. Once the belt is installed, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Check for any unusual noises or vibrations. If the belt is installed correctly, you should hear no noise or vibration.
Here are some additional tips for changing the serpentine belt on a Chevrolet S-10 1998:
- If the tensioner bolt is difficult to loosen, you may need to use a breaker bar or a pipe wrench for extra leverage.
- Be careful not to drop the tensioner bolt or socket into the engine compartment.
- If the belt is stuck on a pulley, you may need to use a pry bar or a screwdriver to pry it off.
- Make sure that the belt is properly seated in all of the pulleys before you start the engine.
