RCA1186
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Rob
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Posts: 4,838 
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Post by RCA1186 on May 3, 2011 9:16:06 GMT -6
So, after replacing my water pump belt and tensioner and taking lots of pics I decided to make a write-up for any of you too timid to try anything  this is VERY easy! Tools needed: 10mm deep socket (starting to think every bolt on this car is 10mm ) Socket wrench Thats it! haha I was at the junk yard and spotted a brand new looking belt tensioner for the water pump belt. My waterpump belt was in TERRIBLE condition:  Here's the tensioner I found at the yard:  Not bad for $10! anywho, to change the tensioner (and belt) first you need to remove the cover over the pully. To do this it is just two nuts on the side:  and one bolt on the back (the one on the left here):  once those are off you can take the cover off, after that it is just two more 10mm studs to unscrew to take off the tensioner, these are the same ones the two 10mm nuts were on:  after you have the tensioner off, either cut off the belt, or just thread it under the water pump pulley (the pulley's front faces the engine and not outward) then take your new belt and thread it over the water pump pulley and the up and over the cam pulley. Here is the water pump pulley:  after that bolt the new tensioner (or your original one) on the same way you took it off, then with some muscle pull straight up on the tensioner (or use a wrench) so the spring compresses and you can then thread the belt over it and you have this:  Then just replace the cover the same way you took it off (two 10mm nuts and 1 10 mm bolt) sit back and enjoy your new tensioner haha. In my case I was quoted $170 to do this job I've seen belt tensioners for as high as $60 I got mine for $10, and the belt was $8 for a grand total of $18. Not bad compared to $170! The whole job took about 15mins, I could have done it in probably 5. How? Heres a tip; WAIT TILL THE ENGINE COOLS OFF! lol |
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XJSman89
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Post by XJSman89 on May 3, 2011 12:32:50 GMT -6
Stickied! Nice writeup, man.
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Post by tipsymcstager on May 3, 2011 17:53:19 GMT -6
10 bucks?..........score!!! great tutorial  |
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Post by nelson480 on May 3, 2011 18:49:25 GMT -6
Haha same price for mine i paid! lol
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Post by nelson480 on May 3, 2011 19:00:54 GMT -6
great write up too!
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RCA1186
Administrator
Rob
Go Pack Go!
Posts: 4,838
Staff Member
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Post by RCA1186 on May 3, 2011 20:45:15 GMT -6
I know, can't beat $10 for a "new" tensioner haha
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Post by adfdsfdwefsfd on May 4, 2011 10:43:18 GMT -6
How much does shop usually charge to replace accessory belt(the other one)? I have all the parts......... I am kinda hoping I can get a deal on it
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Post by tipsymcstager on May 4, 2011 14:11:23 GMT -6
How much does shop usually charge to replace accessory belt(the other one)? I have all the parts......... I am kinda hoping I can get a deal on it parts? you mean part (singular non plural)? if it's just the belt! if it's like the Tensioner or Idler Pulley also, i know somebody just (lol) did a tutorial on how to do it yourself not that hard, really  |
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RCA1186
Administrator
Rob
Go Pack Go!
Posts: 4,838
Staff Member
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Post by RCA1186 on May 4, 2011 17:26:36 GMT -6
If its just the belt then do it yourself haha its super easy
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Post by tony022 on Aug 22, 2011 3:23:39 GMT -6
95 aurora, 148000 mikes.
Replaced my betl & tensioner yesterday, just because it has not be replaced. Looks like the belt was replaced by previouse owner but not the tensioner. Tensioner was working but did not rotate smoothly, had a bind in it. One of the reasons I did it was because of this write up and explaination of "how to" It looks so much harder than it is.
//THANKS//
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Post by beastboy1976 on Aug 22, 2011 10:34:48 GMT -6
Nice Write up. I may have to replace my water pump here soon. My low coolant indicator popped this morning
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Post by bboomer2 on Sept 4, 2011 7:48:33 GMT -6
Thanks rca99aurora. This saved me a bundle. My first fears when she started to overheat was the heads but your article got me to check the water pump belt. A trip to the parts store, $14.95 for a belt, 20 mins and a couple beers and it was done.
Anyone who hasn't changed this belt should carry a replacement and a 10mm socket & ratchet plus an adjustable for moving the tensioner pulley.
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Post by ntrenn on Sept 4, 2011 10:25:37 GMT -6
bboomer - depending on your mileage, you might also want to check all the pulleys for noise/roughness. Anything over 100,000 miles on them is living on borrowed time as well...
Great save on the overheat....
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Post by adfdsfdwefsfd on Sept 4, 2011 19:42:40 GMT -6
when upper radiator hose on mine leaked it sprayed hot coolant all over the place.. I hope it didn't hurt the belt/pulley too much
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Post by nelson480 on Sept 4, 2011 19:55:15 GMT -6
"then with some muscle pull straight up on the tensioner so the spring compresses and you can then thread the belt over it (its easier with two people but I did it myself)"
Or you could just get a 13mm wrench on the pulley there and relieve the tension the easy way lol
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RCA1186
Administrator
Rob
Go Pack Go!
Posts: 4,838
Staff Member
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Post by RCA1186 on Sept 4, 2011 20:05:16 GMT -6
I could, but I'm too buff for that lol
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Post by dantheman86 on Sept 4, 2011 20:14:20 GMT -6
^ lol yeah that too!
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Post by bboomer2 on Sept 26, 2011 19:01:38 GMT -6
No one should be on the road without a spare water pump belt and the 2 wrenches required to replace it. If the belt breaks, it's a haul job to the shop if you don't have the replacement on board. A copy of rc's directions should be carried with the belt.
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Post by maddjaxx80 on Nov 3, 2011 10:58:21 GMT -6
Thank you for sharing I had heard a squealing went out one morningand shut off engine was on the DIC 2 tics into the red fearful of engine damage as was said easy maintenance compared to engine damage!!!!
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Post by Toronado3800 on Apr 14, 2014 22:10:00 GMT -6
Yup, mine went. Should have known it was coming. Last few weeks I thought, "this car idled quieter when I got it". Then leaving work I thought I heard a twig or two snap. Few miles later I thought, man, I'm losing fuel economy with the A/C on, darn defrost. Almost got home when the temp gauge started climbing past 200 on the highway. For some reason I thought to engage the A/C again to see if the cooling fans would help. The car told me it was getting hot and was turning off the A/C so I grabbed some shoulder and turned on the hazards a mile or two from home.
I found this GREAT post while waiting for my neighbor to come get me. Went to the parts store and thankfully they had the tensioner and belt even though my belt looked fine, now I have an extra. After the car cooled off I drove the rest of the way home and did the job. Now it wants me to change the oil. That will have to wait till tomorrow.
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Post by renaldo0613 on Apr 30, 2014 21:07:01 GMT -6
Yup, mine went. Should have known it was coming. Last few weeks I thought, "this car idled quieter when I got it". Then leaving work I thought I heard a twig or two snap. Few miles later I thought, man, I'm losing fuel economy with the A/C on, darn defrost. Almost got home when the temp gauge started climbing past 200 on the highway. For some reason I thought to engage the A/C again to see if the cooling fans would help. The car told me it was getting hot and was turning off the A/C so I grabbed some shoulder and turned on the hazards a mile or two from home. I found this GREAT post while waiting for my neighbor to come get me. Went to the parts store and thankfully they had the tensioner and belt even though my belt looked fine, now I have an extra. After the car cooled off I drove the rest of the way home and did the job. Now it wants me to change the oil. That will have to wait till tomorrow. Yes. Def have to change oil after an overheat on these engines. Car knows what it's talking about. |
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this is VERY easy!
