1997 Pontiac Grand Prix Removing idler pulley

Tiny
REBAL98
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
I am replacing the water pump on the above car. One bolt is blocked by the serpentine belt idler pulley. How do I get it off?

Thanks
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Thursday, September 18th, 2008 AT 3:30 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
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If it is an idler pulley it should have a bolt in the center of it. The tensioner pulley, you will probably have to remove the entire tensioner. Is this a 3.1 or a 3.8 liter engine?
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Thursday, September 18th, 2008 AT 7:14 PM
Tiny
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It is the idler pulley. There is a hole in the center. I can't make out whether it is a torx, alllen if anything. The engine is a 3.8 liter.

Thanks,

P.S. I'm not a complete novice. I've probably replaced 5 or 6 water pumps over the years. I've even replaced timing belts.
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Friday, September 19th, 2008 AT 7:35 AM
Tiny
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Has to bolt on somehow, most likely a Torx, GM doesnt use many Allen bolts. Might even have a plastic cover over the center of it.
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Friday, September 19th, 2008 AT 7:38 AM
Tiny
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Not much help. I'm back at square one.
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Friday, September 19th, 2008 AT 9:22 AM
Tiny
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Has to bolt on somehow. No software will tell what kind of bolts are used or how to remove some parts off an engine, they just assume that some things are abvious, so they dont go into details on how to remove them
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Friday, September 19th, 2008 AT 10:01 AM
Tiny
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Ok from square one I looked it over again. I was wrong in my description. It's the power steering pump. How do I get it out of the way?
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Friday, September 19th, 2008 AT 1:41 PM
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
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Removal of that pulley requires a special puller as well as an installer to get it back on. You should be able to access the mounting bolts for the pump through the holes in the pulley and just unbolt it and move it out of the way
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Friday, September 19th, 2008 AT 2:01 PM

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