Replacing the Belt Tensioner, Pulley, and Belt on 1998 Chevy S10

In this video, I Replace the Belt Tensioner, Pulley, and Belt on
1998 Chevrolet S10 Pickup
V6 4.3
310,000+ miles
Parts used:
Dayco 89231 Automatic Belt Tensioner: goo.gl/1lwHQp
Dayco 89006 Idler Pulley: goo.gl/Cjpt7f
Dayco 5060960 Serpentine Belt: goo.gl/7gM2tk

[@andyprairiedog4829]

Excellent. Changing out the tensioner on an S-10 and have not done that since 2001. Thank you for the refresher, Sir.

[@JohnDezember]

I'm glad that you found this useful! Good luck with your repair!

[@andyprairiedog4829]

Thanks buddy. Anxious to get off work and get started on this :)

[@JohnDezember]

Wow! KZbin just notified me that my video now has over 10,000 views! This may seem like a small number to a lot of you, but I thought this was pretty cool for a simple video: _Replacing the Belt Tensioner, Pulley, and Belt on 1998 __*****__ S10_ kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5bRpaqPod56h80 **Notice: I'm not a mechanic, I don't even play one on TV, but sometimes tools, parts, and my hands come together to fix things that I need to not be broken. I've put another 50,000 miles on this truck since the repair with no issues, so I must have done something right! In addition to needing to get this thing fixed, I really recorded this because I wanted to play with my phone, ***** GorillaPod, and ikmultimedia iRig MIC Cast! #diy #diyrepairs #notamechanic #chevy #chevytrucks #chevrolet

[@christianstevens6479]

John Dezember umm umm stfu

[@jasonc9095]

Thanks for posting the video. I found it very informative and will be a very useful reference point for me to go back to later today when I replace both pulley on my '99 Blazer.

[@xavierknowles2466]

Thank you, i was getting my but wulped by the belt until your video help give me the concept😃👍🏾

[@JohnDezember]

Nice! Glad it was helpful!

[@LA92]

Спасибо за видео, ничего лишнего, все по делу! Хорошо, что на Chevrolet Blazer/GMC Jimmy такая проблема, как замена ремня, решается без откручивания вентилятора и вискомуфты. Инженеры постарались в этом месте, чтобы при ремонте нужно было затратить минимум усилий.

[@johnclapham1371]

Thanks for posting this great video. I found that a breaker bar worked great when working with the belt tensioner and it saved my ratchet.

[@JohnDezember]

John Clapham thanks for the comment! I hope your repair went smoothly!

[@parkerraus3402]

Cheers to 310k more!

[@red0means0go]

Exactly what I needed to see to fix my own tensioner and pulley. Thanks for this video, I'm gonna try it out in the morning.

[@JohnDezember]

I'm glad you found my video useful. I hope your repair day goes smoothly!

[@kwjegraham1]

Just replaced the belt tensioner on my 98 blazer...worked just as your video showed! thx! Good camera work also!

[@JohnDezember]

That's great! Glad it was helpful! Thanks for the comment!

[@l333boa]

Nice upload, my belt has just arrived this week so plan on fitting it this weekend, so this video will be a big help 👍

[@JohnDezember]

Thanks! I've learned so much from others on KZbin and glad to be able to give a little back. Good luck!

[@l333boa]

John Dezember yea KZbin has been a massive help with many cars I’ve owned over the years, owned my Blazer a couple of weeks so just slowly working my round it doing bits and bobs on it 😎

[@bethburger9889]

Thank you!!! I could have done this, but unfortunately decided to look it up after I took it to the mechanic. But wow, great video!

[@simonhenhoeffer8934]

Just bought an 02 s10 with the 4.3 belt looks very worn so going to replace it along with the idle pulley as I've heard that those are prone to wearing out. Glad to hear u got 350 miles out of yours mines at 137k km so I'm happy if I get half that

[@JohnDezember]

Just rolled over 419k yesterday!

[@aha946]

Thanks for the video man, got me fixed up for work.

[@JohnDezember]

Great! I'm glad it helped!

[@simonhenhoeffer8934]

Great video very helpful just replaced the belt and the idler pulley. Did not replace the tension pulley but from what I found you definitely replace the idler pulley mine was just as rough as the one in this video

[@JohnDezember]

Glad the video helped!

[@ThedangdiggityKeough]

The pulley you are referring to as just "Pulley" is called the Idler pulley. Just throwing that out there.

[@JohnDezember]

Thanks for the clarification, Dillon Keough

[@ThedangdiggityKeough]

No probz :D

[@simonhenhoeffer8934]

Dont a lot of s10s have problems with that

[@ronaldcarson4360]

They are known for going bad. Has a 13mm bolt torqued to 37 ft. lbs.

[@jimrourke3136]

question..if the power steering pulley is Loose,could that be why my belt keeps flying off...I cant tighten up the belt anymore(cant figure out how,since the "tensioner "only allows me to loosen by putting ratchet in the square and pulling down,I cant see how I can tighten..anyways I noticed my PS PULLEY is pretty shaky and I have no clue if can replace pulley or of need while part..GREAT VIDEO MAN

[@jimrourke3136]

Ohh,to add to my last.comment,my Power steering has been pretty much out for last 6 ml months..MAJOR leak somewhere,while bottomed vehikkle so oily now that I can touch anything there rite now,or.seeanything..I have no lift or ramps,is kinda pain..And if is power steering..Am I gonna have to take shield,fan and other stuff off or does it come from bottom..sorry..but any help is appreciated...I broke as hell,only vehikkle and I HAVE to do kyslef

[@NotMorganFreeman.]

The top replacement pulley they sell from the auto parts stores like Orileys, Advance, etc. do not come with the bolt and spacer like you show in the video which is no help at all. I don't know what the hell they're thinking by leaving out 2/3 of the parts you need. I only found the complete top pulley on Amazon and Rock auto. ACDELCO 12580773. Mine is a 1999 Chevy Blazer. Thanks for the video.

[@darrenvogel8096]

He said in the video to use the old bolt and and spacer from the old idler pulley

[@chesterl29sp]

Great video man..

[@JohnDezember]

Thanks!

[@JammedFuzzball]

My mother's blazer's pully is shaking like hell right now, causing the entire car to shake too, is this a sign it needs to be replaced or is that normal for it to shake?

[@JohnDezember]

I'm not a mechanic. In my experience, the pulley should not shake or vibrate. It should spin very smoothly and without noise. If my pulley was shaking, I would remove the belt and check to make sure the pulley mounting bolt was properly installed and that the pulley was functioning normally. If anything seemed out of normal, I'd replace the pulley and begin inspecting every other part the the belt touches.

[@purpledoge4466]

What size sockets you used ?

[@michaellodge5456]

Half inch

[@michaellodge5456]

Did you have to torque that idler pulley bolt im not sure if we have to

[@pokemonpocketmonster8627]

37ftlbs

[@joehoffman5018]

How come you replaced the idler part as a whole ? Why not just the $15 dollar pully ? Ty Godbless

[@JohnDezember]

Hey Joe, I honestly don't remember; that was several years ago. Just a guess, I probably chose whatever was the quickest available option so I could get back on the road. Back then I had a 3hr round trip commute. I either grabbed what the local parts store had in stock or ordered next day delivery from Amazon. Still have that truck. It has over 420,000 miles now.

[@joehoffman5018]

@@JohnDezember ok yes it would have been easier & better to replace it . actually thank you for your video ! ! ! ! As to take just the pully off its super akward & I'm disabled ( fused back & Ms) Son i watched yours tool off the whole idler pulley out in the pully ( which was shot ) and it was way easier that way . Unfortunately I still have a noise & can't figure out what it is ! The alternator is new , the only thing left is the other pully left seems ok . So I can't figure it out . Any thoughts would be appreciated .Ty & Godspeed

[@Logjam5]

Good video. No vid of the compresser clutch change-out? :(

[@JohnDezember]

Ha! No, the compressor is still not functional. I had always assumed the compressor and clutch came together as an assembly. Your comment prompted me to look this up. I see the clutch can be replaced separate from the compressor. Thanks! I'll put that video on my list!

[@JodBronson]

Do a By-Pass, see Video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lV64lax_ZqmYeZo

[@elidames6889]

@@JohnDezember hey brother, I literally just finished a ac clutch job on my jimmy. It isnt hard, but I recommend getting the full compresser, and dryer kit. Our rigs are super easy. Evac the ac, how you do it is none of my business ;). Get everything flushed, replaced. Rent the vacuum kit from the parts store. It cost me 150 bucks after returning the pump. It cost 120 for a quality clutch kit with pulley. The difference of 30 dollars is nothing compared to the opportunity costs when the whole compressor fails with new parts. Not to mention yours is a half shell like mine was. They are notorious for failing after 100k. The new replacements are solid body. Also, you deserve to know this. If you ever have a mysterious vacuum leak, look under the abs module and there is a gremlin hose you can only feel by hand.

[@JohnDezember]

@@elidames6889 thanks for the info! I'll have to dig into this after I get moved and have some free time.

[@elidames6889]

@@JohnDezember no problem man. Just something I wish I would have known. There isnt a bolt I havent turned on your rig. If you need any heads up, hit me up. More than happy to help you not go through what I did

[@erickarellano997]

I just put a new alternator in my friends S10 and was doing the belt also and I have the same belt but the belt feels loose for some odd reason. I didn't even have to push in the tensioner to get it on. any answers much appreciated

[@JohnDezember]

Erick Arellano - double check the belt to make sure it follows the correct path. also check to see if the tensioner has any resistance, if it moves freely this will need to be replaced.

[@bigbucho1987]

thankyou really appreciate this video

[@rclidinst]

Thanks

[@baldy194859]

hey John ! I have a 99 Chevy blazer 4.3 and I think the idler pulley is worn ! will a worn idler pulley noise get louder as you pick up the speed of the engine ? thanks !

[@JohnDezember]

Lloyd Dailey , it's possible... worn bearings can make a variety of sounds that would change as the engine RPM increased. I'm definitely not a mechanic, but I think you're in the right track.

[@natashaj8464]

Thank you!

[@Hoogiechoochoo]

Hey John, I've got a 98 K1500 and it's similar enough. My question is how do you know the spring in the belt tensioner is still good? I've replaced mine but the belt seems a little bit loose.

[@JohnDezember]

Hoogiechoochoo Disclaimer: I'm not a mechanic, I just try to fix the things I have when they break. If the belt tensioner is new (not pulled from another vehicle), I would check that the placement pin (see 9:51 in the video) is set in the proper place. If it's not set properly, then you will not get proper tension. If everything else is good (correct size and placement of belt and pulleys) then I guess it could be a bad spring in the tensioner (the auto parts store should do a replacement).

[@Hoogiechoochoo]

Thanks for the prompt response. I did some reading and there doesn't seem to be a ton of info/specs on the spring tension. It seems tight enough so I'm just gonna keep an eye on it and see how it works. Thanks again

[@A1Googler]

Why do ppl make instructional videos yet cut out steps when they encounter difficultly e.g. 4:00 remove bolt/washer from old pulley?

[@JohnDezember]

The washer was friction fit to the bolt. I hope you were able to see that once you got into your own. This was my first instructional video and I didn't want to move the camera unless I absolutely had to. I've had to stop watching many videos because it seemed like they were on a roller coaster and I didn't want that for mine. Since you spent the time to leave a comment about leaving things out, why would you do the same? E.g. missing letters in the third word "people"

[@natashaj8464]

I'm trying to find the size belt for this model? which size did you use? Thanks.

[@JohnDezember]

96" long .82" wide here's a link to exactly what I used : www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C0WKNS/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000C0WKNS&linkCode=as2&tag=johndeze-20

[@BLDROFREAL]

He said the idler pulley is a half inch 1/2

[@angelortega4575]

Nobody knows the bolt spec for the idler pulley ?? Auto zone and orielys all have the pulley . But no bolt or washers . Smh how am I supposed to do this. If I have no bolt or washer info 😐 first week at work and I never call in . Now I look like a bs'er. Not a way to start off a career. I'm so sad. It's out of town. Anyone?

[@zacharyheard4188]

Will this be the same for a 2.2

[@JohnDezember]

+Zachary Heard please keep in mind that I'm not a mechanic. The same principles should apply to the 2.2 as the 4.3, but the components are arranged differently.

[@zacharyheard4188]

John Dezember thanks it's worth a shot atleast

[@JodBronson]

Here is a better solution and cheap too. Take the damaged " Plastic " Pulley off. Get the " Metal " Pulley and put it back on... It might last you a lifetime.. Except the Bearings which cost $2.00 to replaced. Here us the Link for the Metal Pulley: www.ebay.com/itm/192386277640

[@JodBronson]

I did it in this Video here and I also explained it why I chose " Metal " in this Video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ip3bgKGInc2ppck

[@GhettoRanger01]

You could've just replaced the tensioner wheel instead of the whole assembly and saved yourself a bunch of money.

[@JohnDezember]

The tensioner assembly was the factory original and a new one was only $40... That little cost was worth it to me.

[@GhettoRanger01]

I just fixed mine, it took 10 minutes and cost me 14 dollars.

[@kratoscombat]

Man I must have the belt on wrong its don't look like it my shit still fuckin loose