Serpentine belt replacement

Tiny
IBRAHIMY
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 HONDA FIT
  • 1.7L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
Hi all,

While driving today, my battery light came on and shortly after the high engine temperature light came on. Thankfully I was within feet of my house and was able to get into the driveway when the radiator exploded/leaked. The serpentine belt has snapped (or whichever belt is the one that's connected to the alternator). Is this a reasonable fix for a beginner do-it-yourself person? I could easily go to an auto part store and get a replacement, but was concerned about whether I'd be able to "un-tension" the relevant gears, etc, to be able to fit a new belt. I assume I would have to also consult a diagram to see the orientation and order of how the belt wraps around the engine/alternator/compressor. Please let me know if there's anything else I should know. Thanks in advance.
Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 AT 3:10 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

Yes, replacing a serpentine belt is pretty straight forward stuff and shouldn't be no trouble for you at all. A little secret, a serpentine belt has a smooth side and a grooved side. If the pulley the belt is going around is smooth than the smooth side of the belt wraps around that pulley. The same goes for the grooved side, if the pulley the belt is going around is grooved the the grooved side of the belt goes around the pulley as well. If you route your belt like this, you might not even need a diagram showing the belt routing. But I have included a diagram of the belt routing as well as the instructions for removal and installation in the diagrams down below for you. Please go through these guides and get back to us with how everything turned out.

Thanks,

Alex
2CarPros
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Wednesday, May 1st, 2019 AT 3:55 PM

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