Serpentine Belt Tensioner Removal (updated)

[@opinionatorX]

You have no idea how this video helped me. It end up being the belt tensioner after all. I changed the belt and tensioner myself. Thanks a million!

[@MrDrRock]

I have to replace my coolant tank, belt, belt tensioner, and water pump. It's thanks to videos like these that save me up to 500 dollars. Ridiculous how easy some of this stuff is.

[@Spaceman647]

Thanks again RichPin! I got this repair done on the side of the road in the middle of the snow after my tensioner wore away to nothing. Your videos have saved me call probably six or seven times now!

[@jesuschrist1732]

just wanted to say great video, i worked on automoblies for 40+ years, now legs and back don`t work like i want them to but i still mess with cars, i enjoy you viedo and wished that they had been around when i ran my garage.

[@dalelstrand]

Just changed the tensioner assembly on my '95 Saturn with 308,000 miles. I used your video as the manual on how to do it, and it worked outstandingly well. Thank You

[@Thrash2010ATL]

Great video...thanks for posting this! My belt slipped off this afternoon when the car got turned off with it in gear. Removing the splash panels makes it a lot easier. Especially when you have to people. With two, you can skip the part with the pipe and the wrench trick. The person in the wheel well can pull down on the tensioner while the top person slips the rest of the belt on. Thanks again!!!

[@CynthiaNakaya]

I appreciate the video. Replaced alternator in my Suburban and am now going to do AC compressor in my Saturn. No way could I do it without these helpful videos!

[@RichpinTv]

Cynthia Nakaya I am glad i could help.

[@bobluhrs]

Perfect video!!! Thanks so much. You should make all auto repair videos, you are the best I've ever seen. Clear, simple, no delays, easy to remember, perfect.

[@RichpinTv]

+bobluhrs Thank you.

[@4Smokey2The0Bear]

I've literally used every one of your videos for problems I've personally had with my Saturn. Even the one about wiring in a temporary fuse switch to the wipers! Thanks brotha!

[@robbym8]

I've been using your videos as a repair guide for my saturn and it's been working wonderfully. Your videos are almost perfect man, the only thing i'd suggest is leaving a text in each video's description that has a list of each tool used in the video

[@ampecsu]

thanks. I've asked you a lot of questions and you always come through. this is definitly a diy job with the right tools. the mechanic that replace my motor (at a pre set price 500 motor 500 labor) told me to bring in a serp belt when i got one and he would just put it on for me; he wasnt there when i went, but another mechanic told me the tensioner look bad and would just wear the new belt soon .

[@lnsykalski]

Wow. This is a great video. My tensioner just totally flopped out this week and I need to replace it. Nearby auto shop was going to charge me $450 to replace it.

[@joemarzen2322]

I just wanted to thank you for this and the one about removing the alternator. You saved me a bunch of money. I wouldn't have had the confidence to attempt this repair if you hadn't made this video.

[@ericbreedlove]

Great job, this made changing the assembly a lot easier. Also, the video on displaying how to jack up the fragile Saturn body was very helpful.

[@whitesands928]

Just used the video to replace the tensioner that was making a racket, thanks mate, 257k on it now, it's been a good car.

[@helookalikaman79]

257K ??? Our 2002 just hit 101k.. guess we will be able to keep her for another 156k miles provided it stops throwing a tantrum!

[@dhsquared]

Just replaced the belt tensioner on my 1997 SL1. It went exactly as you demonstrated, after making the pipe extender from scrap shower-rod and buying a wobble extension (the top bolt was a bu99er, 2/6th of a turn at a time! Thankfully I could turn it with a finger for 3-4 turns in and out.) Thanks very much!

[@michaelwhite7935]

Your videos rock!!!! Can't count how many times I've used them to fix our Saturn! Thanks a bunch man!!

[@ChristianGeeks]

I've performed several repairs on my SC2 thanks to your videos. THANK YOU! Wish there was something I could do to repay you.

[@youtubesystemaccount]

If you dont want to remove the tire, you can just turn the wheel all the way to the right and still access the bottom bolt. This video was very helpful. Don't forget to put anti seize on the bolt.

[@AJSL88]

Rich the belt tensioner is IN. THE NEW BELT WENT ON JUST as you described all is perfect. looks good. RUNS GOOD TOO. just going to tune it up AJ

[@keiths9483]

Thanks for posting these vids! Thanks to you my daughter's Saturn is still running strong at 204,000+ miles....

[@RichpinTv]

Keeping tabs on the oil is the most important thing to do on the Saturn.

[@RichpinTv]

What happens in a lot of cases is the spring inside of the tensioner fails leading to a loose belt.Now sometimes the belt can stretch beyond the capable of the tensioner to keep it tight.Most tensioners have a built in wear indicators for the belt.

[@xcalibre222]

Thank you so much for this vid. Just replaced my 99 saturn SL2 belt tensioner and belt. Was making a tapping noise on quick acceleration. Thought it was the timing chain at first till I did some checking. This vid saved me over $150.00 and only took about 40 minutes. Thanks Richpin

[@RichpinTv]

James K. I bet you were relived when it was not the timing chain.

[@cosmicjayofficial]

richpin06a hey rich i just bought a 02 saturn sc. with 90,000 miles no it, and it makes a rattling sound when i start it up most of the time or when i put it into gear and accelarate to a higher speed then goes away. Sounds like the exhaust is loose or something but its not that I've checked. It sounds like its coming from the tensioner area. Could you tell me what is from my description? Sounds like what James K. said. Get back to me asap thanks

[@RichpinTv]

Cosmic Jay Have you removed the belt and checked each component that the belt drives for looseness or noise.

[@camberosgt1]

YES!!!! Exactly what I was looking for!! Thank you!! Keep making saturn videos you rock

[@gregggavitt2795]

Great video as usual rich! I just replaced my tensioner and serpentine belt, and other then dealing with an almost frozen top bolt, it went off without a hitch. I was getting an awful rattle when idling in gear, and your video helped me fixed the problem, thanks again!

[@RichpinTv]

+Gregg Gavitt That top can be a little difficult to get to.

[@gregggavitt2795]

+richpin06a I am really glad I did not ignore your warning about those 10mm bolt heads. The first time I tried taking the top one off, I could feel the 6 point socket start to slip on the bolt. So, I doused it with more pbblaster and came back about two hours later. From there, it took a lot less force to get the bolt out.

[@nealpeal71]

Thank you for your video. I found this and it made fixing my Saturn tensioner pretty easy this morning.

[@RichpinTv]

@opinionatorX When the spring in the tensionor gets worn (weak)the tensioner will bounce up and down with the cycling of the motor more than normal..

[@larryjones2281]

excellent video. one thing i did which made it a bit faster with the top bolt; with jack stand under frame, I put piece of 2 x 6 flat on jack, took off two engine mount nuts and jacked up engine about 6 in. Top bolt was easy to get to with ratchet.

[@Wildersport]

A tip for you, since you gave me the tip about the splash shields. If you have a Harbor Freight tools near you, they sell a set of long reach metric combination wrenches. They work wonders on jobs like that tensioner. Admittedly they are junk wrenches that flex a bit, but they do the job without having to use a cheater pipe, and are cheap.

[@RichpinTv]

David Hostetler Thank you for the tip.

[@shastamasta4696]

Thanks rich ive done every repair on my sl2 from your videos did the belt in ten min

[@RichpinTv]

I am glad i could help.

[@PaytonPage]

Just want to say this video helped me out a lot! Thanks for marketing it!!

[@shastamasta4696]

Thanks rich ive done all myr epairs on my sl2 from your videos

[@ripnukem7622]

Great video! I just bought a 1998 SL 2 with only 30k miles. But, it developed a coolant leak that I can't find. With the engine running, coolant is being sprayed from the belt, on the top, left side of the engine. The spray is coming from behind the AC belt. How should I proceed trying to find the origin of the leak? Thinking of disconnecting the belt so maybe I can see the drips from the leak. Thanks in advance.

[@Dawt_Calm]

Did you ever fix it? My 97 SW2 (135,000 miles) had the same coolant leak you describe. It turned out to be the water pump. I replaced the pump and the thermostat at the same time.

[@ripnukem7622]

@@Dawt_Calm Yes! Replaced the water pump, where the leak was coming from, the upper and lower hoses and thermostat. Flushed the system and so far so good.

[@RichpinTv]

@LotusLord I do not know what to tell you i have no problem getting the top bolt on the tensioner with the 3/8 breaker bar now the bolt on the idle pulley is a little more difficult.

[@GTVAlfaMan]

Another great vido Rich, Thank you, Can you tell me what are the symptoms of a bad serpentine belt tensioner? Is there a way to test if the tensioner is good or bad>

[@purplemotoman]

I am wondering if you have that Saturn only channel up yet. Your site is awesome. I own a 97 SC1. She has 380,000 KMS and still runs great. Proper maintenance will go a long way. Keep up the great videos.

[@bobmortock]

@richpin06a I did that about a year ago and my squeel persists. It's especially prevalent on a cold or wet morning. Usually I turn the car on and it's fine, then as soon as I start to drive and the anti-lock breaks engage I get that really loud whine up until I get on the road and accelerate hard. Once that happens the sound goes away for awhile. Thanks for the reply back.

[@jessicadehart7079]

You have no ideal how much it help me bc the video before this had me going from the bottom hooking two 14 wrenches together and pulling the wrong way I have no men in my life that can help me so again thank you

[@RichpinTv]

I am glad i could help.

[@RichpinTv]

Yes you can get the bolt in from the top.

[@reaper106]

Thank You richpin06a :) this is a 100% Excellent Video on how to remove the Belt tensioner. Thank you so much :) Please keep up the good work on Saturn Videos, Cause i have a saturn and when I watch your saturn videos on how to replace whatever it is on a saturn I feel better and more relax and knowing that i can do it, Cause i've watched the Expert richpin06a. Sincerely, Christopher Begaii

[@RichpinTv]

Thank you my friend.

[@reaper106]

Welcome :) again thank you so much :)

[@purplemotoman]

So I just finished changing a belt tensioner on a 97 SC1. A little tip for anyone doing this in the future. The top bolt can be a little tedious to say the least. I found if you remove the pulley with a 14mm wrench you can get at the top bolt very easily.

[@RichpinTv]

If the pulley is bad how good can the tensioner be.

[@ManicMechanic007]

Excellent video as always. Great camera, lighting, and top notch narration. I have been watching your videos for quite some time now and I notice you have a small home made upholstery tool. It appears to be a standard screwdriver brazed to a small forked section of steel. I am interested in fabricating one of those little gems. Can you please tell me how you made it. Thanks richpin, keep those excellent videos coming.

[@GregoryBronner]

One gotcha that isn't obvious: If you use a socket wrench instead of a breaker bar on the upper bolt and unscrew the bolt too far, it is possible to pin the socket wrench against the motor mount cradle bolt attached to the frame. Depending on the design of your socket wrench, it is possible to get it stuck such that you can't reverse its direction, screw the bolt back in, or unscrew it any more. This is very bad -- I had to break the socket wrench.

[@rustyshackleford6341]

Dude. Thanks for the video! Replacing one of these tomorrow.

[@ChaddLackey]

I fixed mine last night. Thanks for this awesome video.

[@chrisgareri6679]

Thanks for the video..Mine broke and had to replace it.. took about 1 hour and 45 mins to do it all.. that top bolt is a killer lol..but again thanks so much this was dead on and very helpful....

[@JohnEvansChaoseed]

I just had to replace the belt in my Saturn, and this video was helpful. Thanks!

[@say.what.1.more.X]

Very helpful and much appreciated!! Thank you sir!

[@RichpinTv]

I believe it was electric conduit.

[@opinionatorX]

Thanks for your quick reply! I am changing the belt on my exact model in this video on my own today. Another question. Do I get the belt with or with AC specs? I bought the one with AC. Thanks for the post!

[@knotkool1]

wow! you mentioned the wrench size! good work dude.

[@BluePlanetDrone]

So excited to hear this Rich, big fan and can't wait for the new saturn channel. You are my saturn repair hero... thanks so very much for all the $ and worry u have saved me ;)

[@RichpinTv]

I am glad everything went well.

[@wil_mil_man]

Great video Rich! Can always depend on them! Do have a question though, which pulley do you think is better the metal ( I would think!) or the plastic? I've gone through 2 tensioner`s since the original, both being plastic, keep getting the rattle @ certain rpm`s! Especially @ idle or when there is a load on the engine like AC being on while at a stop! Any advice? Should I just go back to the metal pulley!? Thanks again!

[@RichpinTv]

If you are up for a little extra work you could take a original steel pulley and install a quality bearing in it.

[@wil_mil_man]

@@RichpinTv Tyvm! Always Appreciate your input! I'm pretty sure I still have it around! Will definately work on it! She only has 244443 and still chugging along as a daily driver!

[@RichpinTv]

Have you tried a vice grip.

[@stevenkramer9486]

Just finished this job on my 96 SL. A few additional tips. The tensioner pulley bolts onto the tensioner assembly with one 14mm bolt. REMOVE THE PULLEY to make this job much easier.. From underneath the vehicle -- I used a 14 mm box wrench to remove the bolt securing the pulley to the tensioner and then the pulley pulls straight off (with a spacer). Removing the pulley will give you clear access to both of the 10mm hold down bolts. I used a 3/8 drive flex extension ratchet with 6 pt. 10 mm socket to loosen the top bolt, and Rich's wobble extension per his video to loosen the bottom bolt and then removed them using a 1/4 drive flex extension ratchet and 6 pt 10mm socket. On the install -- be careful to note that the pulley goes to the right --- On the install -- I also removed the pulley from my new unit -- and from underneath I used a 1/4 flex extension ratchet handle with 6pt 10mm socket to tighten both bolts.. I "threaded" the drive belt on from underneath -- After installing the pulley -- using a 14 mm box wrench -- I threaded the drive belt onto the top pulley's leaving the crankshaft for last. I then used the 14 mm box wrench to "move" the tensioner which provided enough slack to allow the belt to slip over the crankshaft pulley. with the jacking/jack stands wheel removal etc. it should take about an hour to do. Of course -- not initially removing the pulley cost me more time. Richpin -- can't thank you enough for your videos. Have to tackle the neutral safety switch on this vehicle next.

[@RichpinTv]

@LotusLord Do you have a 3/8 breaker bar

[@whitgallman]

Rich, This was a great help on my friend's 1999 SC2. Great video and I'm grateful for your eforts and skill!!!

[@opinionatorX]

@opinionatorX Ok Great! I did get that one. I just came back in from trying to put belt on. Should I take wheel Off? I think I got it on without using the tensioner? There is slack. Am I doing something wrong? Also my battery is dead right now. I think because its not using the alternator. Thanks!

[@WV6Z]

richpin06a, thanks a million for the great video..... replacement went off without a hitch!

[@bobmortock]

What do you recommend buying for the Belt Tensioner pulley? I have this bad squeel whenever the car is cold and first turned on, it disappears after a short drive and revving up to about 4,000rpm. I think I'm in need of a new belt tensioner as well as cleaning all the pulley's as an oil leak (head gasket I need to replace) has soiled them causing some additional slippage I'm guessing...Thoughts?

[@LotusLord]

@richpin06a Yes, and a 3/8 6 point socket. It seems that the motor mount bolt (I'm pretty sure it's the motor mount bolt at least) across from the top bolt keeps me from getting the socket in straight on.

[@Philmeister1315]

Hey Richpin, thanks again for the great video, want to do this, however, the bolt on the tensioner to remove the serpentine belt is ground around the edges and is also not a 14mm, seems to be closer to a 13 or 9/16. Not sure if it was a replacement or what. Any helpful hints? My serpentine belt is quite wore

[@opinionatorX]

Hey thanks for reply! I end up fixing the tensioner myself than to Richpin.

[@Jridda10121]

Yea I have that problem as we speak my question is does the alternator pulley move when tensioner is broke when I pull belt it moves up and down is that normal or should the alternator pulley not move at all I'm trying to fix today but I wanna trouble shoot that problem to make sure that's normal

[@TheIainMckay]

This video has been very helpful, but I ran into an issue. The upper bolt holding the tensioner rounded off. This was with the correct 10mm. It slipped off at an angle and just got worse from there. This bolt appears to be really soft. I tried using an extractor to no avail. Any ideas that don't involve removing the top end to get to it? I was thinking of shearing/cutting off the head and doing an extraction of the remaining bolt after removing the tensioner.

[@RichpinTv]

I think i might try a long chisel to get the bolt moving then it should be possible to get it out the rest of the way by hand.

[@redawg61877]

You have save me so much money

[@scottmagyar]

Sir, great video, my question how do you tell the serpentine belt tensioner is going bad on Saturn s series.. Thks

[@RichpinTv]

Sometimes the bearing will make noise and sometimes the tensioner arm will have play.

[@studpuppy69]

@richpin06a I see an oil leak too! How many miles does yours have? The 99 SW2 my sister drives, 131k plus miles, leaks oil from the rear of the engine above the oil filter, I think a side seal is leaking too, uses alot of oil, maybe 1/2 to 1 quart every 1k miles.

[@RichpinTv]

Important Update: Jan 1 2013 there will be a new richpin channel for all future videos.Richpin06a channel will be solely for all the Saturn lovers out there.Should be a lot of fun so stay tuned.

[@mjskira]

I bought just the belt tensioner pulley (just the bare wheel, less the spring mechanism). Is it possible to change just the pulley wheel while the tensioner is mounted on the block. It's hard tighten the pulley bolt because the spring lets it rotate. I got the wheel off & splash shields to do the alternator already. So the pulley is right there. Thanks richpin06a, Regards, mjskira

[@RichpinTv]

+mjskira I am not sure if you can replace the pulley with the tensioner still on the engine as i have never tried to do it that way.

[@victorbird2133]

Do you have an opinion on swapping out the tensioner pulley over swapping out the entire tensioner? 1994 SC1

[@danielpettis1280]

Rich I own a 02 s series... I would like to check my timing, is there timing marks or some reference on the cover next to the crank pulley ..I want to use a timing light ..thanx

[@RichpinTv]

They do not put timing marks on the the cover but you could put your own TDC mark by finding when #1 piston reaches the top of it's compression stroke.

[@victorbird2133]

richpin, I have a 94 SC1 that needs a replacement EGR solenoid valve and I cannot find a replacement anywhere! You name the place no one has a replacement...including the local junkyards and dealerships. The manufacturer is BorgWarner but they don't make then anymore. Do you have a video on testing the older solenoid valves and do you have an idea of a similar solenoid valve from another car that I may be able to use?

[@jamescrowton007]

Rich can the same steps you used for this s series be used for a ion?

[@RichpinTv]

It is something to think about.

[@dwcoop5390]

I replaced tensioner the belt and idler pulley on my 95 Saturn SC1, it takes longer to take tire and splash guards off than it is to do the actual repair.

[@Frankiarmz]

Removing the wheel and splash covers saves a lot of time and hassle when changing just the belt!

[@jwwilliams]

You know what would be nice is when your doing these videos mention why your replacing the part or what the problem was and whether or not it actually fixed it and maybe some other common issues that could result with that part going bad assuming of course you have knowledge about that kind of stuff which I'm sure you do.. My Saturns squealing on start up sometimes and then stops shortly after I drive it a little bit and then sometimes when I slow down to a stop sign or something and seems to do it more at night and not near as much in the daytime for some reason. Also my tensioner looks like it's bent out a little almost seems like the belts not quit all the way on the pulley also.. Do you have any thoughts on that?

[@RichpinTv]

I would remove the belt and check all pulleys for wear.

[@jwwilliams]

richpin06a Thanks for the reply. I've checked them and it looks like the idler pulley is a little loose, so I will replace that and the belt and see if it fixes it. Thanks again.

[@TheIainMckay]

I tried a couple of vice grips (straight and angled). I couldn't get a good enough grip on the bolt. I think I might need to remove the power steering pump if I want to get one on there.

[@Joe_Goofball]

The top bolt for the Tensioner in my car isn't exposed from the top like yours is. What did you remove to get to that point? What else might that process entail? The miserable Haynes repair manual gives NO information about R&R of tensioners for my 1997 SL1. Your advice would be Much appreciated...

[@RichpinTv]

It is in a tight spot but i did not remove anything to get at the top bolt.

[@Joe_Goofball]

richpin06a Okay. Thanks, bro!

[@Redbikemaster]

Beautiful blue.

[@LotusLord]

I'm having a hell of a time getting to any kind of socket on the top bolt on my SL1. Any suggestions?

[@Jridda10121]

I took everything apart the alternator has two screws at the bottom one one each side with the belt on and power steering still working could it be a screw that I'm missing that is causing this whole problem the alternator falls when I take belt of

[@ampecsu]

I see a ramp there. How did you get the car on the stands? might be a dumb question

[@cameronblaze92]

What is the size of the push pins that are used on the panels.

[@xcalibre222]

Doing this in a few days! 1996 Mint loaded saturn SL2,, wife's car. Only has 85,000 original miles.

[@RichpinTv]

Your 96 SL2 sounds like a awesome car.

[@RichpinTv]

I justed checked and Rockauto has them.

[@RichpinTv]

On the Saturn the alternator will not move when you take off the belt.

[@omarG19100]

@richpin06a im leaning towards the tensioner and idler only because i replaced the pump like 5months ago. however i did change the belt, but it fits just fine. i think imma take the belt off and spin all the pulleys to see if i can hear the sound. i dont know y they want like $30 for the tensioner? other than tht the car runs fine.

[@RichpinTv]

@opinionatorX If yours is like the one in this video you want the one with AC

[@opinionatorX]

How would you know if the tensioner is bad?

[@bfenti]

Sure looks similar to the tool gardening shops sell for removing dandielions. Wonder if modifying one of those would work as well?

[@RichpinTv]

@studpuppy69 I haven't replaced the nut behind the wheel yet

[@Mr14u2nv]

Rich what would cause my belt to shread 3rd replacement in 2 months. 1998 Saturn sl2 DOHC I watch all of your vids. Thanks you are a real pro

[@RichpinTv]

I have seen this happen because of oil leaking on the belt.

[@okaybrah388]

How Might you remove a broken tensioner bolt off of a 98 Saturn SL2 the top bolt

[@ampecsu]

Oh and what is that tubing called that you used for extending if you dont mind???

[@omarG19100]

@richpin06a hey i replaced the belt, and water pump not even a year ago, but just recently im getting this noise that seems to be coming from the pulley area. to me it sounds like the a=water pump again ( making a loud skateboard noise/grinding) almost like im pulling wood with my car dragging it on the street. deff not a sqealing noise. Water pump dont seem to be leaking though. could it be the pump pully? i dont wanna switch it out again if its not the prob.