Drive Belt: Service and Repair
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT AND TENSIONER- TOOLS REQUIRED
- SA9181NE Belt Tension Gauge
BELT AND TENSIONER LOAD INSPECTION
The following procedure is to be used when the belt or tensioner is suspected of allowing pulleys to slip or causing any unusual belt noises.
1. Warm up the engine for approximately 10 minutes with all accessories turned on. The steering wheel must be returned full left and right several times, if equipped with power steering.
2. Shut the engine Off.
3. Using a 15 mm wrench, rotate tensioner arm clockwise until the belt becomes loose on the pulleys. Slowly allow the tensioner to apply tension back on the belt.
IMPORTANT:
- The marking on the tensioner arm must fall within the operating range (two marks) on the tensioner body. If the tensioner marks fall outside the operating range, the accessory drive belt must be replaced.
- The tensioner pulley must not be allowed to snap against the belt.
4. using a calibrated Belt Tension Gauge SA9181NE (or equivalent) (OTC OEM 1294), read and record the belt tension at mid span for the following drive combinations. This check can be performed on an engine assembly removed from the vehicle. It cannot be performed with the engine in the vehicle unless the upper engine mount is removed.
5. Repeat the previous steps three times and record the information.
6. Add the three readings together and divide the total by three as shown in the example:
Belt Tension = Readings/ (# of readings)
Belt Tension = [(1)+(2)+(3)] / 3
Example: (54 + 58 + 52) =164 / 3
Belt Tension = 55 lbs.
7. Refer to belt tension chart for specifications.
ACCESSORY DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT
Minor cracks in the belt rib are normal. They are the result of reverse bending around a backside pulley. Do not replace belts for minor cracks.
Belts that have chunking longer than 5 mm (13/16 inch) in one or more places should be replaced.
Belts should also be replaced if cord breakage or fabric separation is observed.
DRIVE BELT REPLACEMENT (IN-VEHICLE) BELT REMOVAL
1. Disconnect negative battery cable.
NOTICE: Engine must be supported upon removal of engine mount.
2. Remove right front engine mount and engine mount bracket from engine block.
3. Use a 15 mm wrench to rotate the tensioner pulley clockwise while sliding the drive belt off the tensioner or water pump pulley.
4. Remove drive belt.
5. Clean and inspect the serpentine drive belt surfaces.
BELT INSTALLATION
1. Route belt around all pulleys, except tensioner or water pump.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that drive belt is aligned into the proper grooves on the drive pulley.
2. Use a 15 mm wrench to rotate the tensioner pulley clockwise.
3. Slip the belt over the idler or water pump pulley.
4. Install right front engine mount.
5. Reconnect negative battery cable.
TENSIONER REPLACEMENT (IN-VEHICLE) TENSIONER REMOVAL
1. Use a 15 mm wrench to rotate the tensioner pulley clockwise while lifting the drive belt off the idler pulley, complete removal of drive belt is not necessary to remove drive belt tensioner.
2. Remove drive belt tensioner bolts.
3. Remove drive belt tensioner from engine.
TENSIONER INSTALLATION
1. Install drive belt tensioner to engine.
2. Install drive belt tensioner bolts.
Torque:
Belt Tensioner Bolts: 40 Nm (30 ft. lbs.)
3. Route drive belt around all pulleys except idler or water pump pulley.
IMPORTANT: Ensure that drive belt is aligned into the proper grooves on the drive pulleys.
4. Use a 15 mm wrench to rotate the tensioner pulley clockwise.
5. Slip drive belt over the idler or water pump pulley.