How hard is it to change serpentine belt? - 1998 Oldsmobile 88

Are you sure you have the belt installed correctly? Not hard to make a mistake. Did you get any oil or fluid on the belt? Did you change belt tensioner at same time? Usually a good idea.

if the serpentine belt is original then have it changed as it is probably hard and not gripping properly
it is a reason that the ac compressor will not be at full efficiency , just like power steering not as good as it should be and alternator not charging properly
the inspection of the belt is in the grooved section and it shows minute cracks in the groove ribs then it is overdue for a change

Click on the following direct Link. It has the Serpentine Belt Diagrams that you will need for your specific engine size and options (AC/No AC...etc).

Standard Rules to Removal the Serpentine Belt with a Tensioner:
1. Find the Tensioner(s). (See Diagrams on Link)
2. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool, Or Wrench OR Ratchet, Rotate/Move the Tensioner USING THE AVAILABLE NUT (on the Pulley or Arm Base) OR the OPENING (3/8ths or 1/2 inch square opening) rotating it\moving it away from contact with the belt and towards the area where the belt is not in contact with the Tensioner Pulley. The Tensioner is spring loaded, and is hard to rotate/move.
3. Remove the loosened belt off one of the other more easily accessed Pulleys.

Standard Rules for Installing the Serpentine Belt with Tensioners:
a. Pick a Pulley that is most easily accessed. This will usually be on top. This will be the last Pulley that the belt will go on.
b. Using the Diagram: Install the new Serpentine Belt on the remainder of the Pulleys....over, under, left right.
c. Using a Serpentine Belt Tensioner Tool or Wrench or Ratchet Tool: Rotate/Move the Tensioner Pulley/Arm "away" from Belt contact area on the Tensioner. This spring is pretty hard and with a new belt, it will be even harder to install. Rotate/Move this to as-close to the maximum allowed inorder to have enough slack in the belt to get it up and over the last pulley.
d. Using your other hand - Pull the Belt up and over the Last remaining Pulley.
e. Before releasing the pressure on the Tensioner, visually inspect the remainder Pulleys and the Belts' Positioning on them

Let me know if this helped, or if you have additional information or questions. Feel Free to contact me at FixYa.com!

http://www.2carpros.com/car_repair_information/year/1993/make/oldsmobile/model/cutlass_ciera/1993_oldsmobile_cutlass_ciera_drive_belt_routing_diagram.htm

support engine. remove coolant reservoir. remove serpentine belt. remove serpentine belt tensioner. remove bolts from mount. carefully raise engine up and move mount out of the way.(hard to explain and this is hard to do you have to have the engine in the perfect position and whatnot) remove the top plastic cover. with 19mm socket rotate engine clockwise until hole in cam lines up with hole in head. insert vw special tool to hold cam. remove the 4 6mm bolts on crank pulley. remove plastic covers. with white paint, mark belt to cam and belt to crank. loosen tensioner. remove belt. transfer marks to new belt. strongly suggest replacing water pump. reinstall t-belt. put the tensioner somewhat tight. rotate the engine fully twice. loosen tensioner bolt and adjust to perfect tension using needle and v-groove on adjuster. install is reverse of removal.

Diagram should be under the hood
The auto tensioneris down low and dificult to get to.
If it has not been changed in a while you will need a long thin push stick and a serpentine tool.
Push on the belt hard at the auto adjuster and pop the belt off the smooth pully (located top).
hook up the serpentine belt tool and then mount the new belt

Here's a link to a series of videos that will explain how to change the serpentine belt.

http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-change-a-serpentine-belt-on-your-car-39904/

Here is a diagram of the belt routing which will help you put the belt back on correctly...

Try watching this set of free videos to see if it helps to explain how to change the serpentine belt...
http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/video/how-to-change-a-serpentine-belt-on-your-car-39904_6/

I'm connecting you with video #6, but you can always go back if you like.

have a guy do it for the room in your car is very limited and hard to change. I have changed many of these belts and they are no fun what so ever to do

not too hard, if you can remember the how it's positioned on the engine and loosen the belt tensioner. 

Have you checked Autozones website? Thats where I usually go to get all the details and diagrams I need