97 saturn belt tensioner bolts wont turn

The power steering pump should have a couple of retainer bolts, and then one adjuster bolt. Loosen the two retainer bolts slightly, then adjust the pulley back out of the way, slip the belt on, and use the power steering pump to tension the system.

Hi,

A tensioner pulley is used to maintain proper belt tension. Some belt tensioners are locked in place with a bolt or nut after correct adjustment has been made. Other designs use spring tension to automatically tension the belt. Advice: Too much tension will cause a strain on any bearings involved. Not enough tension can lead to slippage or belts jumping off. Tensioner pulley bearings are of the sealed type and can not be serviced. Check to make sure that there is no wobble or play in the bearing and that it turns smoothly. If any play or roughness is found, the tensioner pulley should be replaced. If spring tension is being used, ensure the integrity of the spring

To re;move the pulley you'll need a 'breaker bar' or a long socket wrench. Just slip the correct socket over the bolt and unloosen it. If your Voyager was built in Canada, the nuts and bolts are usually metric. Make certain that you're using the correct size so as not to strip the bolt. It's a pain because of the lack of room. Just take it slow and easy.

Ben

I have two Mercedes - one is 2000 E320 Wagon; other is 1999 E320 Sedan.

I replaced the serpentine belt on my 2000 Wagon today at 92,000 miles. I found that the Motorcraft JK6-947 could be purchased on Ebay for $12.99 plus $6.20 shipping. The old belt was a Goodyear Gatorback 4060940. My 1999 sedan has a Mercedes Benz 011 997 97 92 6K2390 EM7117 Gates belt made in Spain.

Here are the details of replacing the belt.

On the 2000 E320, a 17 mm bolt just under the belt going to the tension pulley will release the belt tension when turned counterclockwise. Removal of the belt was easy after using a 17 mm deep socket wrench similar to a spark plug socket. I made turning the bolt very easy by slipping a 4' pipe over the socket wrench handle. It is advisable to put the new belt LAST on the idler pulley that contacts the belt only on the smooth side.

You do not need todisturb theButton Torx bolt in the center of the tension pully.

The 1999 E320 uses a 15 mm bolt in the CENTER of the tension pulley. Otherwise the installation is the same as the 2000 E320.

Open the hood to the Saturn SL and locate the serpentine belt routing diagram on the front engine frame rail. This diagram will show you where the tensioner pulley is in comparison to the others. You will need to refer to it to make sure the belt is aligned properly when it comes time to place the belt back on.

2 Stand on the side of the right fender of the Saturn SL located in front of the belt and pulleys. Locate the tensioner pulley according to the belt routing diagram. Different applications of Saturn SLs (for example, with power steering and air conditioning or without power steering or air conditioning or any variety thereof) may place the automatic belt tensioner in slightly different locations. As you will note from the room between the engine and the interior fender well, you have an extremely limited amount of room to work. This is why the telescopic magnet will come in handy; you're going to drop a wrench and need to retrieve it from the bottom of the splash shield.

3 Place the box end of the long-handled 14-mm wrench onto the center bolt of the automatic tensioner and turn it clockwise. This will relieve the tension on the belt. Take the belt off the upper-right hand pulley only (unless you're replacing the belt as well) toward the front of the car. Allow the tension to go back and remove the wrench.

4 Slip the back of the serpentine belt off the tensioner. Locate the two bolts on the flange of the tensioner and remove them, using the ratchet and a deep socket. If you need more room to get to the bolts, you could remove the pulley wheel off the automatic belt tensioner by placing the 14-mm long-handled wrench back onto the center bolt of the pulley but turn counterclockwise and remove the bolt and pulley.

5 Install the new belt tensionser, replace the bolts, threading them in by hand at first and then tightening with the ratchet and socket. This is going to be challenging due to the lack of room in the cavity you're working. Place the 14-mm wrench back onto the center bolt of the tensioner pulley and turn clockwise to release the tension and reapply the belt to the upper pulley and on top of the tensioner or replace the belt, according to the belt routing diagram.

It should be easier from the top. Route the belt around all the pulleys except the alternator. Get your wrench on the tensioner and pull back. Then slip belt onto alternator pulley. It's easier with a second person, but can be done alone.

Yes! The belt will always flip off if it siezes. It's easy to change if you have the room. Good luck!

To change the drive belt you will need to find the tensioner pulley justt loosen the bolt /nut in the center of the pulley and then wind the pulley slider down usually located on the back side of the pulley. wind it down until you can slip the belt off. if the is 2 belt say for instance power steering and ac etc remove the outer belt first the power steering pump may have the tensioner on it same concept though. loosen nut/bolt and unwind til the belt slip off the pulley. remember to disconnect your battery because its better safe than sorry. Good luck!

You have a (spring loaded) tensioner. I usually use a rachet and whatever size socket the bolt requires and use a 2 foot hollow pole as a pull handle.. Put the socket and rachet on the bolt, slip the pole over the handle of the rachet and push the tensioner back which will give you the slack room you need to install the belt. Make sure you have the belt around all the other pulley's so it will be a easier to slip it on to your tensioner. This tensioner should adjust itself by spring action.

Attatch socket or breaker bar to bolt on pulley, either push or pull to release tension. Keep firm grip and release SLOWLY after belt is released. It will spring back and could cause personal injury or break the pulley if you just let it go.

Sounds like the belt is slipping.

Some autos have belts that can be tightened by loosening bolts and moving various vehicle components that are hooked to the belt. Others have automatic tensioners that control belt adjustment. I am not familiar with Saturns. If it has a belt tensioner, this is probably a job best left to a professional.