serpent belt replacement

KurtMcMouth · February 3, 2005

Fellas, I've got an 01 8.1 and a new serpent belt. I think I found the tensioner, but I can't figure out how to remove tension with it. Anyone have experience here?

tmf6902 · February 3, 2005

I was thinking about that too the other day....hmmmm maybe we need new How to article in the Tech Corner?????

KurtMcMouth · February 3, 2005

okay, tensioner is not what i thought it was, it's on the left side of the engine when facing the front of the engine. Once I found that, easy job. My tensioner looks pully seems worn when i spin it without the belt. Think I'll replace that too tomorrow.

496 CUBIC INCHES · February 3, 2005

If they haven't changed the tensioner,you'll need a something like a 3/8" drive breaker bar. There is a square hole on the tensioner that will accept the breaker bar. You'll need to pivot the tensioner with the breaker bar to remove or replace the belt. You may consider replacing the tensioner as well as the belt. The tensioner seems to be a part of the sqeeky belt syndrome on the NBS trucks. IIRC the tensioner is about $25.

KurtMcMouth · February 4, 2005

The tensioner had a bolt through the center, 15mm. Once I relaized that what I thought was the tensioner was just an idler pulley and found the right gizmo, it was a quickie. No more squeeks today, we'll see if it's sustainable. BTW, I put on a Goodyear Gatorback.