1998 Volkswagen Jetta Serpentine Belt

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MEMBER
1998 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA
2.0L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC

I was replacing the serpentine belt. It came off fine. I released the belt tensioner pulley. Removed the belt from the alternator first. After completely removing the belt I went to put the new one on and found out the shop gave me the wrong belt. I attempted to put the old belt back on but it won't happen. Please try to explain what I may be doing wrong.

Saturday, December 27th, 2014 AT 9:18 AM

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,331 POSTS

You won't be the first person who wrapped the belt around the pulleys the wrong way so check that first. There's often a routing diagram on a cover on the side of the engine. The smooth back side of the belt will ride on smooth idler pulleys. There will never be ribs riding on a smooth pulley or the smooth back side riding on a ribbed pulley.

Some belts don't give you enough slack to play with if you're trying to lift it over the lip on a ribbed pulley such as on the generator. Instead, get the belt on all the ribbed pulleys first, then you'll be able to slide it onto the last pulley which must be a smooth one with no lip.

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Saturday, December 27th, 2014 AT 4:06 PM

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