2013-2019 Nissan Sentra B17 Drive Belt and Tensioner Replacement aka Serpentine Belt

2013-2019 Nissan Sentra B17 Drive Belt and Tensioner Replacement aka Serpentine Belt. The belt is a pretty standard and easy replacement, the tensioner however on my 2014 was not readily accessible. It took some work to get it replaced. That being said as long as you have a rolling floor jack, large metal drill bit, and some basic hand tools you should be able to do this job as well. Links to both the belt and the tensioner below.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Tensioner I used: amzn.to/33Nc2Wa
Belt I used: amzn.to/31Csshp
Drill bit to drill access for ratchet/socket (generic): amzn.to/2XO9D9Q
14mm Box Wrench for tensioner (generic): amzn.to/31GBCtd
T50 Torx Bit for tensioner mounting bolt (generic): amzn.to/2XMrv4J
Floor jack to jack engine up (generic): amzn.to/3adibMh
Jack Stand for safety (generic): amzn.to/31HSgse
To donate financially to the channel:
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Don't forget to check out my channel to see the playlist with all videos on this vehicles as well as plenty of other videos.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Tensioner I used: amzn.to/33Nc2Wa Belt I used: amzn.to/31Csshp To donate financially to the channel: www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=5PRRGY4GM2CSE&item_name=To+Support+A+Guy+And+His+Projects%21&currency_code=USD&source=url

[@draco559]

bro literally my nissan sentra sr started doing the squeak noise when I turn the AC on. I was thinking to myself "man I sure fucking hope someone actually has a video on this", you're a god in my eyes sir. you're a life saver

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Lol i feel the pain! Glad I could help!

[@operator026]

Man my hat is so off to you you didn't get frustrated and you made sure you were very concise....I've got to get this done and I want to be ready I have over 145,000 even though some of your process was unorthodox I'm sure they're professionals out that it will probably tell you to take it to a shop but this is where we have to do it ourselves and learn!

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Yes indeed! And it wasn't on camera but yeah, I got frustrated haha!

[@robertpsarudakis3474]

Thanks! my '13 has 86k and thanks to COVID, not many more. Mostly highway. I just like to learn a little before taking on jobs like this! Done many belts on many cars, but thanks to youtube's heads up. I've found nothing either until now....

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for watching! Just don't strip out that tensioner like I did lol

[@robertpsarudakis3474]

@@AGuyandHisProjects I have many tools including those claw foot wrenches, but will keep that in mind. I've changed engines before and it's no fun moving those lil blocks back and forth! Nice work.

[@davidkrolikowski7754]

8

[@mrmt9851]

What i did when I replaced the tensioner. i turned the wheel all the way the the right. I jacked up the passenger side a bit put it on a jack stand. I released the belt from the tensioner. I Put a 2 ton floor jack on this engine mount under the car made contact. I unbolted the top engine mount proceed to slowly jack the engine up till i had enough space. Then put the size 47 torx bit on it released the tensioner put the new one on. Then bolted the engine mount when it was flush then put it back on the ground.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for the comment and thoughts!

[@jg109426]

Worked at Acura for a couple years as a tech and what we use to do is just cut the belt instead of using the pulley in the start lol but really great video ! Planning on doing my mothers belt soon

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

I suppose that would be a way around it on the removal side anyway lol

[@jerrellesplain6010]

A 9/16 closed wrench worked better for me than the 14 mil But it was still flipn hard to get the belt back on. I finally got it with help from a friend. As I pulled the tensioner as far as it would go my friend pulled the belt from up top to try to get it over the alternator pulley. It only went half way on so I bumped the engine just a little bit and it popped on *whew* what a relief that was lol. We only got one scrape each on our knuckles lol

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Haha, battle scars!

[@jhpfmj]

dude.. thank you for posting this. i have the same car and was about to take it to a shop.... for a belt..

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

You are welcome! Glad I can help!

[@pacopaco224]

That’s pretty cool I was thinking of doing my belt on my 16 Sentra it has over 100k miles I do a lot Highway driving so I’m glad I ran into your vid

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for watching! Yeah I couldn't really find a whole lot before I posted this. Hoping it will help a lot of people out. Just don't strip the tensioner like I did lol

[@TheMrFlyBoy18]

Probably gonna bring my Sentra to the dealer. I don't have time to afford all of that, great video though! Definitely will reference it someday in the future. Thank you for posting this.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

No worries! And who knows...you might be luckier than I am haha

[@I_am_archie]

247,600 miles on my 16. Changing the belt today.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

How'd it go?

[@I_am_archie]

​@@AGuyandHisProjects🤠👍🏻 thanks for the tips. The belt had several small holes in it. The worst part was "trying" not to brake the 8 yr old panel clips. I didn't cut the wheel well I just bent it out and up, worked great. Went with a box end wrench. I think it took me about 35 min. Start to finish. I had some after market clips. She's all tight🤠👍🏻

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Very good!

[@cecebestt]

Has your AC gone out? I have a 2015 Sentra and mine just went out, I’m redoing my serpentine belt because it’s horrible but idk what else it could be

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

My a/c compressor froze up at about 90,000 miles. Sometimes it just happens I guess 🤷

[@Lakikano]

What kind of evil bastard designs a car like that? The serpentine belt should be a 15 minute job and it sure as hell shouldn’t require you to lift the damn engine out of its mount.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Haha! I wonder similar things

[@offthewallhobbyman6978]

Great video. This helps out a lot. Thank you

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thank you and glad I could help! Let me know how it goes :)

[@blaineborne3067]

next time try removing engine mount and taking apart the front facia and core support but dont take core support out just enough to where you have room like in the alternator replacement video. after that lift the engine using a jack and some wood to the point you clear the fender well then you can get a torx bit and wrachet on the tensioner bolt without drilling any holes

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Worth a try! Thanks for watching and the comment 🤙

[@ShoueKao]

Can’t thank you enough. This video helps a lot. 😊

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Always happy to help!

[@GANJAPRENEUR1]

Has the belt been changed before ? Because my 15 Sentra has 98k and the belt ripped while I was driving yesterday with no squealing at all before that…. Fixed it today watching your video it was honestly a lot of help

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for the comment and glad I can help! From what I understand belts these days will do that, they look good all the way until the definitely don't haha. That's why I like to be preventative as much as I can.

[@kevingendron5586]

Great video! I replaced my belt at 100K but now there’s a squeak at startup and under light load after coasting a little, so possibly the tensioner. Any guess where you could have drilled without unbolting the engine mount?

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for watching and the comment! I think if you didn't want to move the mount, it would be more difficult...that is just a guess though. I know another commenter mentioned removing the mount all together and if I remember right they mentioned dropping the engine down rather than moving it up. Let me know what you come up with! It helps others out to when they see the comments.

[@dennisgonia3049]

Just a new subscriber bro...really helpful video i have same model and already have 150K+ KM mileage.just one question what are the signs that I need to change tension belts

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for watching! These OEM belts are very durable, I changed mine just based off of milage, it didn't show any signs of failure. That being said some of these "newer" belts don't wear like the older ones. you used to get cracking, stretching, and could visually see them degrading. These belts tend to look good all the way until they break in my experience.

[@leslieterrell7369]

Why not just remove the entire motor mount? I'm going to try it and see if I can access better that way.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Let me know what you find out! Maybe it is easier that way

[@patrickthompson7350]

I have a 2017 Nissan Sentra SV, and now I can see how to replace my belt. I kinda figured I had to go at it from the right wheelwell and my Sentra has 274,100KM (170,318 Miles) on it so I guess I'm overdue for a belt change.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Glad I can help! Hopefully it was more helpful than confusing anyway haha

[@divinegx1]

did you ever have to get a new transmission

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

@@divinegx1 I ended up selling the car and getting a 350z that I am currently working on. But nope, CVT was still good at over 150k miles with no issues.

[@divinegx1]

@@AGuyandHisProjects gave me a little hope thanks

[@wooster1414]

@@AGuyandHisProjects dang I think you got a world record right there man .

[@jessegoodspeed5076]

It's simpler than this or I may have missed something. But when your looking at the engine from your view under pass some fender the the left just out view is a 9/16 nut and just putting wrench on it u can push it ao it loosen belt take it off. Do it again to slip new one on. Idk about the engine mounts and drilling holes. They make them stupid but not to the point of doing thst to a car to change a belt. Hope this was helpful. Then again I may missed a point u were trying to do

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Yep! Changing belt is easy. It's when the tensioner stripped out and I had to replace the tensioner that things went south lol

[@_Jayv1]

You earned my subscription

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Awesome, glad to have you!

[@Aesir5]

Yes this was a trial! Respect for posting it

[@mustafanajeeb1291]

Good review & great Sentra.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thank you! I certainly try. You tackling this yourself as well?

[@stingosdungeon]

Really appreciate this video.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks! Glad I can help

[@NeutronX101]

Has the same problem today i tried putting in a hex key to lock the tensioner and it wouldnt lock. Also best tool to use is the closed wrench i didnt have a 14mm so used the 9/16 closed ended wrench

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Good to know, thanks!

[@wooster1414]

If a 14 mm is loose isn't 916 a perfect fit?

[@alexisbrown733]

Thx u for sharing I have the same years and color

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

You bet, how you liking yours?

[@herbmorales516]

Good job bato (dude)

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks! Hope it helps!

[@ivan_mendoza9815]

I get that guys car! 👏🏻👏🏻 thank u !

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Haha! For the right price it could be!

[@thejflores1219]

Would a socket fit over the tensioner and using the serpentine wrench? 17/32” (13.49mm) socket could have done the trick to take that play in the 14mm, if not that crowfoot is a must.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

All i remember it being is tight lol...there wan't a whole lot of room down in there

[@bluegrasskid]

@Crazy times2 did you have to do the drilling?

[@bluegrasskid]

@Crazy times2 how did you do it?

[@tvtime1505]

@Crazy times2 "pull out" the belt or the tensioner too?

[@tyronesmith3812]

Should you replace the tensioner as well when you change the belt?

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Only if it is going bad typically.

[@tyronesmith3812]

Seems like a difficult job to do just to change the belt. If tensioners don't last forever might as well change it while you’re there

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

@@tyronesmith3812 I agree, which is what spurred me to change mine. But technically, if it is good then it is good. I like to stay ahead of things though

[@ajdoti1]

what size is the tensioner bolt? to avoid stripping it?

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Oh shoot I don't remember. I want to say it was 12mm maybe? I'm pretty sure I talked about it somewhere in the video

[@kgbkik4996]

What wheels do you have on your Sentra?

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Shoot I don't remember what they were called. They were a close out item at discount tire at the time

[@818SMERK818]

At minute 15:27 it shows us what kind of mechanic he is superb

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for watching and the comment! You referring to when the light fell? You're funny. Also I am not a mechanic, nor do I have any professional experience or knowledge in the vehicular world. I'm just a guy who enjoys doing my own work.

[@818SMERK818]

@@AGuyandHisProjects Im a fan of your channel now brother for replying God bless

[@6286668]

@@AGuyandHisProjects don't worry about it! Thanks for the video, I'm doing a '13 NV200 at work was getting frustrated.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

@@6286668 thanks! Yeah, if it wasn't frustrating it wouldn't be fun lol

[@NeutronX101]

Why didn’t you just remove the engine brackets? I think thats how the service manual describes it.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

That very well might make it easier lol. Let me know if you try ut that way!

[@NeutronX101]

@@AGuyandHisProjects so just changed the tensioner on 2012 Sentra. So yes there is a small very small hole under the engine bracket mount that's next to the coolant reservoir. Had to remove the engine mount and bracket and coolant reservoir and lift the engine. Very tight space had to use the universal joint adapter. If I didn't have that I would of been in trouble.

[@FranciscoVilla-d8t]

Good job 💪💪

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks!

[@rocksev21]

All you had to do was take off the motor mounts on passenger side and lift motor up and tensioner pulley bolt is exposed w a t45 socket

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for watching and the comment! If that works that would be good to know lol. It always looks different when you ate frustrated lol

[@6286668]

it worked! Unfortunately, it pulled the cat pipe out of the flange..never ends

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

That sucks haha!

[@motallidap1062]

Ur funny...but thanks lot. I've learned something new..

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for watching and the comment! Merry Christmas!

[@hectorrosario7195]

You should of used aluminum foil to cover the gap and get a better grip on it

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

That does work at times!

[@grimaldo99]

I am going through this horrible predicament, i was replacing my serpentine belt, that 14mm head is made out very soft aluminum, i stripped the 14mm head using a 14mm star wrench, DON'T USE THAT!!! Your Auto parts store has a kit for this Sentra's very tight space, now i am forced to replace the tensioner, just because that 14mm stripped head, its alot easier to install it from the bottom than the top, i dont see the need of the whole move the engine mount, you will need to make that drill hole on the body for sure, to be able to reach that star head of the bolt on the tensioner.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

HAHA, Amazing how fast a simple job can go bad ain't it

[@grimaldo99]

@@AGuyandHisProjects dont understand why not re-enforce that 14mm head, so it doesnt strip like that. If i would had known that this job was going to end up like it did? I would have sent the vehicle to the mechanic. Now my wife is out of her vehicle for a few days, until the part arrive from Amazon.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

@@grimaldo99 I know right!

[@aldenjames7333]

Great job for not being a mechanic.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks!

[@drewpeacock2762]

Youre holding a fucking camera and you choose to do the work and then describe it? You know you couldve just recorded the work right

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Woooowwwwwwww never even crossed my mind. You a smart dude ;)

[@EYEROCKpsu]

I'm guessing you didn't even watch past the first couple minutes?

[@andrewashington3386]

You had so much trouble because A. Your supposed to do the job from the top and take the mount off B. After mounting the tensioner you use a ratchet/socket combo not a open end wrench C.If you had went from the top you would have easily been able to put the belt on the alternator pulley. Not to mean but you shouldn’t of posted this video it’s the totally wrong procedure and your definitely not a mechanic.

[@AGuyandHisProjects]

Thanks for the comment! You are right, absolutely not a mechanic just like I claim in every video lol. I appreciate you posting to the comment to help others, that's what we are here for, to help each other. Feel free to not watch or to watch my other videos, they are free for your viewing pleasure