How to replace serpentine belt on 2008-15 Scion xB

***wow. Several thumbs down for the video?^^^?
After I made this video, I found myself changing the alternator on our 08 as well. I was able to do this without removing the motor mount as I noted in this video. However, I will say that it is almost impossible to get enough tension release to get the belt back around the alternator with the limited amount of motion available with the motor mount in the way. The way I handled it the second time was to cheat the new alternator into the belt, pull it back and hold it in place with my lower jaw holding the tool (the outside of my mouth of course) and slip the alternator back into its perch. This? Not easy either. Took several tries. Removing the motor mount when replacing the belt is probably still the easiest since you have to feed the belt through the new pulleys anyway. With the mount off, there is plenty of swing and it pops on in seconds. Either way is more than a little work.

[@josephsonmananandry4540]

Your video is like tv show. No action seen. Too much talking

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

Well, the deal is that I didn’t even really consider a video while i was fixing my personal car. I just thought it might help someone after I did it cause I was initially pretty frustrated. I don’t get paid by KZbin to do these.

[@martingutierrez5395]

No need to remove mounts. 1/2 ratchet (not the tension tool they rent)..takes about 10 mins..1/2 offset adapter would be very useful. Didn't have one..

[@itxpress5757]

Having just gone through the fun of replacing the alternator in my '08 xB.... I used a tilt head ratchet and 19mm socket (vs an extended socket). It's a TIGHT space - in my case I used a piece of 1/2" plastic electrical conduit with a small notch cut out and with the ratchet handle horizontal (which was etched for grip - Not sure I'd do it with a smooth handled ratchet), pushed down on the handle with the pipe notch (careful I didn't slip and somehow damaging the A/C line) and belt popped right off (which is the easy part). It was getting the belt back on the you needed the leverage. But I was able to fully retract the tensioner by pushing down on the pipe which pushed the ratchet down. Don't bother with a tensioner tool - you just can't move it enough in the tight spacing.

[@rayznbread603]

Recommending putting a block on the motor and taking the motor mount off just to do a serpentine belt is an awful idea and a lot more work than you really need to do

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

I agree with that now. I made this video a long time ago. I will say that I have learned that you should only use a 6 point socket on this regardless. It's easy to round off the bolt. Next time I do the belt I will probably go this way as in the video since it's not in great shape since the last alternator change. I am not a mechanic by the way. I'm just a you tube guy.

[@texasgonzo67]

Redneck ways demand FAR less effort.

[@djs_projects_repairs]

Lucky for me ive got skinny amrs and small enough hands I can work around that mount lol but well put my friend.

[@BSPESH]

useless

[@retiredk9copper726]

I appreciate your video helped a ton

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

Thank you!

[@franciscovillegas1771]

I want you to actually do the job and video tape the whole procedure.

[@yamnjam]

I hate this belt!

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

It is a pain. If you have the right tool and a regular socket it isn't "too" bad. But it is tight and aggravating for sure. You can get by without removing the motor mount, but it is a ton easier to deal with the belt if it is out of the way.

[@yamnjam]

@@theoriginaljimmykicker I wound up accessing the tensioner bolt from the bottom (I went under the car) and having a friend put the belt back on from the top. It's so hard to do by myself so I had to get help. The lack of space is the main problem.

[@joeMW284]

I've owned one of these for over a decade and have had to replace an idler pulley and the alternator. It's easiest to slip the belt on and off on the smooth water pump pulley. Trying to do it via the alternator is a nightmare. I've got a breaker bar that's only a few inches longer than your typical ratchet and it works well to release the tension so I can slip the belt off the water pump.

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

Yep. I made this video some time ago. Lot of people didn’t like it. Haha! You’re totally right about slipping that belt over the water pump pulley. Tell you what. I find this car very easy to work on. Most of the time. This isn’t one of those times. I have an 84 S-10 truck I can change the serpentine belt with ONE regular ass wrench and about 2 minutes of my time. If you’re an s-10 person you may realize that is v belts. I converted it for this simplicity.

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

Oh and I have had my car 12 years this month. It’s never had a mechanical issue other than an alternator and one coil pack. I had the AC repaired, but that was my fault. I bottomed the car out and bent the soft hose into the pulley. Doh!!

[@bobbythompson4268]

Going through this right now. Getting the belt off was a pain, but when installing the new alternator, I had trouble with the long bolt at the top, finding the threading on the other side. Anyway, I’m having some difficulty putting the belt back on. I’ve seen a few people mention that it’s easier to put the belt back on over the smooth side. Does this involve removing the front right tire? Thanks

[@umustwantme]

I'm glad I read the comments. I changed the alternator a while back, and the serpentine tool is right in the way of the belt (getting it on and off). The belt just broke, and I'm searching for tips/tricks. Glad I'm not taking motor mounts off now

[@joeMW284]

@@umustwantme yeah, no need to do that.

[@arturodelacruz5672]

Gracias x el video subtitulado al español

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

De Nada!

[@CL-ok1gx]

guy post a video used to show people how to do stuff and instead he tells us typical scion video

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

Glad I could help. It’s seriously so easy you don’t need a video.

[@bobbythompson4268]

@@theoriginaljimmykickernot for everybody, that’s why we came looking for a video on how to do it.

[@Jennie-405]

The name of the tools you are going to need on this job pls ? ....

[@justintubens5340]

Pretty simple, all you’ll need minimum is a 19 mil, 14 mil and 12 mil sockets, the serpentine belt tool set, and maybe a cheater bar and hammer.

[@rommelgamboa3328]

What is the mileage on on your Scion on this video?

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

180k or so. Way overdue.

[@Keepthefaith116]

How did you reach the tensioner ? With that small amount of space, to get to that bolt . Was it from going underneath or at the top I’m trying to figure it out lol .

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

From the top. You probably cannot do it without that tool.

[@Keepthefaith116]

@@theoriginaljimmykicker thanks!! Great video!!🙏

[@fritzj6803]

Jack up the motor in order to reach the bolt

[@rayznbread603]

@@fritzj6803 That’s stupid as hell if you have to jack this motor up to reach the belt you’re not very good at this

[@matthewjones5753]

Those Bolts on the motormount are stretch bolts. They have to be replaced if you take them out

[@theoriginaljimmykicker]

I did this years ago. Zero problems.