F-150 EcoBoost 3.5 Serpentine & A/C Belt Replacement (Tips and Tricks)

[@AnaMartinez-mx4bd]

Can we get a standing ovation for the Ford engineer that came up with that idea?! Thanks for the video very helpful.

[@dbcooper7477]

No kidding. What a freaking pain in the ass. Make no mistake, the zip tie idea is the ONLY way to do this. Trust me, I tried everything. The zip tie way is not 100%, what is, but a little back and forth on the crankshaft pulley and the belt FINALLY falls into place. 3 hours of struggling.

[@GucciBodyBags]

I heard mazda designed this engine.

[@woo10gamingtv11]

Chevy does it too dont be so quick to down fords for a stretch belt

[@randyhopkins952]

@@woo10gamingtv11 but at least you can get to the damn thing on a chevy. I hate working on fords. Always a pain in the a$$

[@Nowayjose-z2r]

@@woo10gamingtv11 HAHA, opened the replies to reply the same thing.

[@bolshevikvl]

Been a HD Mechanic for 14 years by far a simple effective trick thank you!

[@mikesubocz]

Nice video :) my belt was super tight. So I ran the belt between the crank pully and the block that made the install go a little smoother.

[@adenlove9207]

Excellent idea. Also, you may start the engine just clicking to reset the belt over the crankshaft shaft pulley.

[@Bischowi]

At 3:18 when the zip tie was clipped, you can see that the belt was starting to walk off the AC pump pulley. It is important to make sure that you get that back in the groove before moving forward or it will likely pop off. You can rotate the crank backwards to once the belt is seated on the crank pulley and it will pull the AC pulley back into the groove.

[@patrickmisner372]

THANK YOU! Good tip here for the AC belt man, saved me. I definitely recommend ramps and removing spark plugs for easier crank turning. I figured it'd been 30K miles so I didn't waste any labor and replaced plugs. If you do anything from above remove the huge Y pipe off the airbox, I found it easier to have someone loosen the tensioner from above while I got the main belt around the crank pulley.

[@dustincallaway8281]

The zip ties at the 12 o clock position and so on helped out a lot. Be mindful you may go threw a couple zip ties. Also doing it on ramps in your drive way is a bit of a pain. Also it can happen when you put on the serpentine belt the tensioner pulley bolt can be loosened if your not going the correct direction. I know most probably know better but I’m a DIY mechanic in training. But thanks for the video keep making more I have a 2013 F-150 ecoboost 3.5 4x4

[@AaronHinesAuto]

good job! thanks for the input!

[@BT_Aerospace]

This video is a great guide to this repair. I have the 2013 FX4 and had to drop the skid plate to get at the belt/pulleys. I also worked from the top of the engine (after I removed the air inlet pipe coming out of the air filter box) and from the bottom (depending on what I was doing). The AC belt popped on, but it did not fully seat into the grooves on the AC pulley. I used three zip ties directly on the bottom of the belt (where it feeds into the pulley in the direction of rotation) and fed the three zip ties into the pulley by turning the crank a few more turns (Again, this was directly on the belt as there is no way of putting the zip ties through the AC pulley like Aaron did on the crank). When I did this, the belt popped into the grooves. The belt was on pretty tight, and I likely would have had to cut the new belt to get it back off. Feeding the belt through with the zip-ties saved the job for me on this one.

[@GGAutoRepairSearcy]

yeah it was a little more work for me too. it kept popping off the compressor until i helped it go toward the engine with a pry bar as I turned the crank. I suggest buying a whole bag of ties before getting started. lol thanks for the video though!

[@ryanwilliams2956]

Your comment is gold. Was on top of ac pulley and off bottom, just used one zip tie on belt under ac pulley and it popped it right on!

[@bigpicturethinking5620]

@@ryanwilliams2956 Am I understanding you right- that you had it on the crank pulley and it was just off a groove or2 on the ac pulley and you just took a tie and fed it across the belt to pinch in between the pulley and belt and that it then went in the ac pulley grooves properly?

[@BurdenBound]

This just saved me from losing my mind.

[@vfrider781]

Dude saving lives deep into the future. I had the belt pop clean off the ribs on the compressor pulley and would just laugh at me from the smooth, front side (like what happens in this video, if you look closely. Kinda pisses me off he never mentions it, or how he fixed it, as it's visibly on the smooth side during the demonstration, but on the ribs in his outro. Clearly, he knew it happened). Anyway, the 3 zip ties around the belt itself before the compressor pulley and it worked like magic. Kudos!

[@michaelmann8380]

Thanks for the video. Zip ties worked great and saved a ton of money from having someone else do it.

[@alpulis5368]

Good video with one exception that will greatly improve the A/C belt install. Always take the time to start with the belt placed flat BEHIND THE CRANK SHAFT pulley. Then install on A/C compressor as shown. Then do the zip ties. Ford shows the behind the CS pulley (between engine and CS pulley) then do the zip ties as shown. I tried the on the front side maybe a dozen times or more as did some other readers I picked up from the comments and failed every time! First try on the back side worked easily.

[@sylvester8588]

Like! Super pomysł z tymi opaskami zaciskowymi. Zaraz idę spróbować. Dzięki.

[@josegandarilla8363]

Thanks for the video I couldn't have done with out you ,you saved me a lot of money. worked on a f150 with 5.0 .

[@rodolforamirez9436]

Very well done video and able to put on a video that make look so easy the A/C belt replacement. Thanks a million

[@whatsmyname1875]

Wow you made this look easy. Ive currently tried a dozen times with the belt slipping off the ac compressor pulley

[@thegolfnut812]

Mine tried to slip off the compressor pulley and I turned it the other way and it went back on. Then went clockwise and it finally went into place.

[@jjsemperfi]

I'm doing this today. FYI you can rent shim kit from O'Reilly. This is a quick and cheap way to do it, no need to rent anything from the store. However if someone is having difficulty with it or wants them they seem to be a good option as well. Good video, thanks!

[@ryanbohm4376]

Thanks, great video. I'm sure the only reason you struggled to get the socket on the head was because the camera was in the way. Very helpful and good angle/lighting on the recording.

[@daleplueckhahn388]

Thank you for this helpful video. Worked like a charm.

[@tomcompoli]

Thanks for the video, going out to do this right now also replacing the tensioner.

[@arguswil]

It makes sense. When the ac locks up it will not interfere with everything else. Also the compressor has its own belt dedicated for full torque for the compressor

Thanks I love these how too videos...

[@EmersonCollie]

This was very helpful. Thank you!

[@Glenstrom]

Thanks, been thinking I should change my belts with 130,000km on the truck - beats changing them on the side of the road when they decide to go at an inopportune time. Why Ford didn't just make it one serpentine belt & loop it around the AC is a mystery to me. On my 7.3 diesel it was only one belt, and took about 30 seconds to change from the top. I peered at my 2018 3.5 just to see how difficult it looked in comparison, and it looks like a lot more of a PITA for sure. I used to change my 7.3 belt yearly and keep a spare behind the seat

[@pedrolara1169]

Muchísimas gracias 😊

[@cessealbeach]

ZipTies sheer genius ! I will keep that in mind

[@NelsonRincon-n6k]

Muy bueno el video amigo gracias

[@1wyldhare]

Thank u thank u! We just completed it!!🙏🏻🙏🏻😩🤪😊😊

[@AnythingAuto]

Good job. I've been trying for 2 hours already and 10 zip ties. Walks right off the ac pulley every time. Don't know what to do next

[@kd4uga]

Thanks! This video helped me a lot.

[@chinoprado9200]

Thank you for this video this really help me out😎👍

[@juanvaldivia6569]

Grasias por el video

[@jameslewis7271]

Nice video J.R.

[@josephbonilla5910]

Nice 😁thanks you for sharing

[@mechanicabal2223]

Thank's sir... Hpy nice day

[@JoseGonzalez-me1nm]

The belt for the AC is a regular belt or one that stretches

[@tylerptrs]

Thanks for the video! Did you ever have the belt fall off the A/C pulley? I have zip ties on the crank pulley. Tired about 10 times and every time the belt pops off the A/C pulley. Any tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[@tylertrotter2141]

Same lmao

[@Geo-se7mc]

same

[@shrek22]

@@Geo-se7mc same, what is the solution. 🙏 please

[@rn-s]

Should the tensioner pulley be replaced along with the belt?

[@rafaelmeneses5066]

Great job. Thanks

[@Raycefan]

Fyi, you said “turn the crank shaft to the left” then proceeded to turn it to the right.

[@artermioalvarez4382]

Thank you

[@sherardhubbert7575]

So stupid question when you move the crank to get that AC belt on does that not mess up your timing?

[@hixnada8278]

So my 201 F150 made a terrible screech today and the AC stopped. Found that the AC belt had slipped off. Is it advisable to replace any other tensioners or pulleys while I'm in there do attempt the DIY repair?

[@timd5597]

Can it be done in a driveway or need a lift?

[@Chris-ev6bu]

does it need to be in neutral to turn the crank to get belt to slip on?

[@AaronHinesAuto]

No

[@JB_Machine]

Imagine how many people are trying to turn the 18mm to the left with the belt tied on top the pulley

[@TxGuitarPlayer]

Yeah. I caught that too. That’s why I like clockwise or counterclockwise

[@MikeBeeman]

Great video. do you have a parts # or link for the ac belt as well?

[@n1njatalon]

Your belt doesn’t look to be on the grooves on the ac compressor pulley hopefully you were able to align those

[@vernoncrown]

The a/c belt is NOT in the belt grooves on the a/c compressor and that is where the real problem lies with this installation, because as you rotate the crankshaft the belt walks out of the groove toward the front of the pulley and will NOT walk back once the belt is seated in the crankshaft grooves. This is a real PIA project! Not one of Ford's better ideas. The drive belt should have been designed to operate on the inside grooves because it's easy to install and then have the a/c belt running off the outside grooves on the crank. Much easier.

[@PNZTX]

Indeed! One reason is because he’s installing the belt over the front of the C/S. Ford specifies it be started at the and from BEHIND. As the C/S is rotated it will naturally move forward (away from engine) and seat correctly on the A/C pulley.

[@brysonrodden5112]

I believe this is the same for the 3.7l v6 as well

[@razzik777]

yes it is.

[@raymondcrawford718]

At 3:18 the belt is not in the AC pulley grooves and then the video moves on to the next belt

[@gdub14]

how come it looks like you have so much room in there to work?

[@lard1892]

Took all the intercooler tubes off

[@lard1892]

Chevy, Subaru, Benz, etc....Ford doesn't get credit for engineering this marvel

[@Jeremy-go8mp]

Spend a few bucks where you bought the belt from and get the tool that slips the belt over flange AND make sure the belt is fully seated and not twisted

[@symtex36]

To the left?

[@joell3102]

My 2018 3.5 has thrown the belt twice now. No idea why, I'm at a loss. Suggestions appreciated!

[@diambo4life]

Always a pulley issue.

[@greenviewtreecare9269]

Wow.

[@oscarontiveros5117]

This is the way (mandalorian voice)

[@chrisfrank2396]

The engineer that designed this belongs in hell.

[@johnthoreson13]

to bad you didn't get it on the ac compressor before you cut the camara

[@bearsfan2085]

Just a little tip. Extensions will suck up almost ALL of your torque. Do NOT use an extension. It will make it WAYY harder than it needs to be. Shouldn’t need one anyway.

[@lard1892]

Really ?

[@bearsfan2085]

@@lard1892 they can twist.

[@MicheluceRizzuto]

The belt slipped off the ribs at the compressor

[@mikerichards1022]

don't know what type of echo boost that is.... but I can tell you my Ford pickup does not have anything like that for clearance. Ford engineers I love my truck but you suck for making it like this.

[@catfish500mark9]

WORD OF CAUTION.Plz dont be like me thinking you can do this without a vehicle lift.I managed to get it done but it was absolutely the most aggravating & miserable vehicle repair I've done in many yrs.Also you better hope & pray you have eyes in your fingers and you're able to do this with one hand.If you have a lift it should be easy.But if you dont I highly highly suggest you take it somewhere that does. Consider yourself warned.All the best.

[@guerramundial9868]

Ford ford...ford.

[@brentkhack6404]

Just like how to put on a bike chain

[@elgroso806]

"Start pulling to the left" What an ignorance... 🤦‍♂️ When you rotating on an axis, it'll be clockwise or or counterclockwise. No left and no right !

[@bradhaeffner2148]

your belt wasnt even on a/c compressor correctly!!! wtf!

[@derekmortensen1665]

Wtf are you talking about. It was on correctly.

[@afradette13]

I need to save the a/c belt. Not helpful at all

[@arguswil]

Really..wtf

[@evilmesh]

Thanx so much.. Best video I found and very clear explanation!!

[@AaronHinesAuto]

Thank you!

[@AaronHinesAuto]

thank you for the support!!!

[@Tomcat71]

Problem I have is when you try to install the AC belt it wants to ride off of the AC