How to replace an idler pulley in a 98-01 altima

process would probably be the same on 93-97 altimas and other ka24de engines

[@harrisonsmith8195]

Thanks, Tremer88. This gen Altima has rock solid motor and trans - just changes fluids on time. I got halfway through the video and realized there is a better way - remove the bracket holding the idler pulley - 3 bolts. No need to mess with the lower engine mount. Done in half the time. Also, never use sealers or silicone together with a gasket. Clean surfaces. Use one or the other. I prefer a quality gasket and torque it to spec.

[@anthonydavis9216]

Hi . How did you remove the bracket? I know where the three bolts are but how did you slide it out? Did you have to take to the tire off?

[@harrisonsmith305]

​@@anthonydavis9216, I apologize for not replying. I did not see your question until now, was filtered by Gmail. As I remember, you don't have to remove the wheel. You should jack up to the oil pan (using a block of wood between the pan and jack saddle. After you take tension off the drive belt at the alternator (and loosen bottom alt bolt), remove the upper engine mount. This gives clearance to slide the bracket over, up and out. Don't forget to loosen the lock nut on the alternator adjusting screw.

[@anthonydavis9216]

@@harrisonsmith305 Thank you . I did mines a few weeks ago.

[@harrisonsmith305]

@@anthonydavis9216 Did you hit any snags - how long you think the job took you ? I prolly had five hours all in replacing both belts.

[@anthonydavis9216]

@@harrisonsmith305 It took me about 4hrs . Without the breaks I took.lol. After I got it out I had to go to Napa to get another nut that fits the bolt. To he old one had spun off. It was kinda hard to get my hand down in there to get to the bolts ,and I didn't have much room to turn my rachet. I needed a rachet with a longer handle .I had to do baby turns to get all the bolts out. Then when putting them back in I had a hard time lining the bolt up that holds the power steering bracket.I didn't give up .I managed to get it in and the car runs quiet again. My old pulley had been making noise for a while. About a week after it started the noise it locked up on me one day and left me stranded. It had ran the bolt off so the pulley came aloose while I was driving.

[@blankekho8259]

Darm dude, that job looked difficult as hell. My upper pully need replacing too. It lock up. Looking at the amount of work make me dont want to even attempt.

[@pistonring1399]

no need to lift the engine and force out the pulley. pulley is bolte on the triangular steel frame that is bolted to the engine. just unbolt the frame from the engine and slide out the frame and do your fixes out of the enine bay.

[@PhilsZ1]

Move the power steering reservoir and it takes only minutes to remove the plate with the bearing.

[@shanegarry6214]

Jacking up the motor is key! No other way to get it out ! Thx for the help took like 2 hours ! 2 new pulleys and new belt .

[@princenaz23]

Take off the bracket that th pulley is connected to, put new pulley on bracket while it's out so you can position that bolt so it doesn't spin, then replace the entire assembly. You are lucky you didn't crack one of the other engine mounts lifting that much.

[@04_Jetta]

I have a 1998 Altima that I'm about to replace the idler pulley today, is this the easiest way? Do you still have to take off the lower engine mount?

[@princenaz23]

@@04_Jetta yes, but it's not that difficult. The space between that upper idler pulley and the inside wheel hub is less than half an inch. Supporting the engine with a jack by placing a piece of 2x6 on the saddle of the floor jack and position it under the oil pan. The wood is so the saddle doesn't damage the oil pan. Lift very slowly and cautiously and not too far. If you hear stuff starting to crack and pop from the pressure I'd stop. This is just to support the engine when you remove the engine mount and bracket. It's the one right beside the coolant overflow tank which you'll need to remove too. Just pop that tank out, it's not going to effect anything else on your coolant system. This will give you a little more room. You might need to use an open ended offset wrench to reach up under there possibly doubled up with another wrench for leverage. I'm not sure of the exact size for the three bolts holding the pulley assembly on, but you should locate and feel them with your hand first to get an idea, maybe 12,14,16 mm idk could be less like 10 mm. IMPORTANT. Note the position of the pulley bracket and how the left part of it slides under part of another bracket, study it maybe take pictures using your camera phone with flash so when you reinstall it with the new pulley you'll know the exact way it slides in there, make a note of which side faces you and which side faces the engine. Also to gain access to that engine mount you're going to need to remove the alternator. There are a couple of videos on yt that explain how to do this. 😮‍💨🥴😆

[@04_Jetta]

@@princenaz23 thank you!! I really appreciate it.

[@princenaz23]

@@04_Jetta also, there is an AC pulley that is easy to replace. Are you sure it is the upper idler pulley or the lower idler pulley. I should mention 😂 I forgot this, but you're going to need to jack up the vehicle and use jack stands to support it because for that and for the upper pulley and any belt replacement you need to take off the front passengers side tire and remove the plastic cover in the wheel well to gain access, this also opens up the working space, take the front underneath plastic cover off too.

[@dljunior2852]

You gave me some good tips and I like your commentary , you had me laughing the whole time. Good job.

[@Gchessey]

Great video! Exact thing happened to my 2001 altima, very helpful

[@erikfitzgerald1745]

I couldn't reach the pulley that well either but apparently the bracket keeping the pulley in place had 3 bolts that were easier to remove all together. It took me more time but thanks for the vid

[@capnamazing]

Great fuqn video! I’m currently trying to remount this exact pulley on a ‘99. The nut must have worked itself off cuz it started making a scraping noise the other day and I noticed the tensioner pulley was at 45 degrees and scraping on the containment wall. I want to cry. These cars are so fucking stupid. I don’t want to raise the motor. This car was purchased for $500 and it ain’t worth the tears and agony. But I’ll try agin tomorrow, thanks to you. You’re a god damned hero.

[@ClassicJunk88]

yeah it had centimental value to me, got rid of it finally after 14 years. thanks for the compliment.

[@tompoklewski1404]

Hey just did my power steering pump and idler pulley. Got 226,000 miles on my 2001 Altima...

[@rafaelsmith2168]

Hey can you help me out, I’m 18 and i can’t get the bolt from the idler pulley in the right spot when I tighten it, how do I know when it’s in the right notch or right place before I tighten it?

[@BigJBeats]

Hey there, M'man!! This video was invaluable to me today!! I have a 99 Altima, and the nut that holds the idler pulley was missing when I popped open the hood. Went to autozone, found a nut, did this whole process, popped a new nut on, but turns out the bolt was potentially stripped.. how would I go about replacing the bolt? I'm desperate as I'm a delivery guy and this is my only means of transportation. Please help!! Thanks again!!!!

[@ClassicJunk88]

man i really wouldnt know what to do in that situation, im pretty sure it doesnt come out of the motor right? you might have to take more stuff off and see if you can get to it from the passenger side lower valve cover. the one under the main on

[@kathryne9967]

What nut did you get, mine popped off and I can’t figure out what nut I need to purchase

[@alicervantes6827]

Thanks bro lotta help

[@jocoolin8178]

Mines at 160k and same thing happened to me ona free way, just bought another idler pullie today🤣

[@davedoris9396]

did you have a video on how to replace intake manifold gasket on this car? I'm looking for something relatively easy. I saw one a guy name "George " that did it and it was a pain in the ass.

[@davidmerritt4054]

Thanks for the great video. I have a 95 altima. 230000 miles still runs. I thought this was going to be an easy fix. I thought wrong lol. Fucking pain in my ass.

[@ClassicJunk88]

let a mechanic do it.

[@harrisonsmith305]

You can smear high temp rtv silicone on the seam where it sucks air. Spray cleaner with a straw along the intake to head seam to pinpoint the leak. Mine and most posts found the leak at underneath #4 intake. Not as permanent as a gasket, but should work for awhile ...

[@scottdigit5819]

How did you make enough space to get the pully out i did everthing you did but it still dose not want to come out

[@anthonyartigue6328]

Scott Digit if you can not get to it.. It means you must take off more mounts. Up to 3.. Only mount connected would be the tranny.

[@waltercardenas7354]

Classicjunk88 I want to thank you for the video. This was my dads car since 2001Took it to the dealer they wanted $425 for parts and labor. My investment was another jack and the part. Ones again thanks. Do you still have the car?

[@blankekho8259]

Lol! The Oklahoma Panther!

[@ClassicJunk88]

the biggest cat i have ever seen. he had a high pitched meow and was afraid of everything.

[@pentiuman]

I just got a 98 Altima and put in new ball joints, CV axle, inner and outer tie rods, and did the brakes. Now about to replace the waterpump, and I thought to get more room I'd start by removing the coolant overflow tank - at the start of this video, (after having removed a small bolt and bracket on top), you quickly just yank yours out, as I've seen others do - BUT MINE'S STUCK like the sucker is bolted in. WTF! I've pulled on it, tried to slide it, looked inside it (can't see w/ antifreeze), and have taken the passenger fender well out - where it seems to show one or more bolt shafts are holding it in somehow, from the engine side. Why Nissan??? Totally unnecessary. I've done searches for the part - and looked at pics of it, and there's no obvious holes to accept bolts. What's up?Help! *** UPDATE After many attempts, I got it, just pried it out w/ a long screwdriver by inserting between the white tank and a black base on the bottom left. The plastic here in Winter is cold and inflexible. Maybe in Summer it'll twist out by hand?

[@wesdowty79]

5:00 youre welcome

[@megganlogan8837]

Drive infinti q45s

[@johnoktavec]

thanks man.stop cussing. :)

[@ClassicJunk88]

it's my second language

[@megganlogan8837]

Gd 189000

[@suckOnThese3]

Should you go thru the tire well?

[@ClassicJunk88]

you cant