1997 Chevy Lumina Replacing the serpentine belt tensioner

ILOVEJERUSHA

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET LUMINA
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
151,000 MILES

Just took my car in for a quick oil change and they mentioned that the belt tensioner was crooked and they recommended replacement. I was just wondering how tough a job this is. I'm comfortable working with tools and doing minor repairs, I just want to make sure I'm not getting in too deep. As far as I can tell just from looking at it, it seems like just one bolt to get it off. Is there anything else I need to know for this repair?

1 Reply

LUMINAHMB

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Hello you are right the tentioner is not hard

1- take belf off reading owners manual might help but take a 3/4 drive pull handle or a 3/4 drive long neck ratchet and place in desagnated hold on tetioner. By pulling or pushing on retchet this will help take the tention off belt. Have a diagrahm ready to assist you in replacement of bely and how it is roughted.
2- unbolt tentioner-besure to use a tool to give you enuf leverage and watch your knuckes.
3- replace with new one -notice there is a dowl pin to help with proper posioning.
4- with belt diagrahm replace belt- by pully or push on the tentioner will allow you to have room to replace the belt back on with out the tentioner complicating it.-Hint I have found it easer to pull it over the altionator last but ony for 3.1L and 3.4L overvalve only.