I own a 2004 Chevy Malibu 2.2L Engine and as I was driving to work, the belt snapped, how do i replace the belt step by step? What tools would I need? I dont want to take it to the shop to fix, i'd rather do it myself for the learning experience. Thanks!!!
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How do I replace a serpentine belt on a 2004 Chevy Malibu?
- Thread starter Mohannad
- Start date
First open the hood, look on the passenger side of the car where the belt fits, on most malibu models they used a motor mount right where the belt fits, if this is the case then you need to get a floor jack and place under the oil pan, raise the jack putting a little pressure on it (the engine should raise slightly, but don't go to extremes), there should be 3 to 4 bolts on the mount, remove them slowly and carefully, after removing the bolts raise jack more til the engine and mount clears, take a 3/8 drive ratchet and place it in the idler pulley (it's spring loaded, be careful, it can pinch fingers, it hurts real bad) find out which way the pulley will release tension, while releasing tension remove the belt. When removing the belt pay close attention to the way it goes on, when replacing the belt put the belt on all pulleys except the smooth pulley, using the ratchet to move the idler pulley just enough to have room to place the belt on the smooth pulley, look over the way it is on the pulleys to make sure alignment is straight and correct, no over hang on any pulley is allowed it will cause the new belt to wear out prematurely, replace the motor mount in its proper place and slowly, very slowly lower the jack, reinstall the bolts (keep pressure on jack don't just remove yet), slowly tighten all bolts until tight, remove jack and check bolts again, start engine and make sure it runs o.ok.
sschevypwr
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In the Middle, between the alternator and the Air compressor (on top) is THE TENSIONER.
The tensioner has a smooth wheel that the belt rides on. That wheel has a 9/16 bolt in it. This bolt is how you release and apply the spring pressure on the belt. (put an extension pipe (for more leverage) on your ratchet)). After routing the belt as per the diagram by the radiator or in the owners manual, finally pull the tensioner up and slip the belt on the final pulley THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY now release the pressure and the belt is in place.
The tensioner has a smooth wheel that the belt rides on. That wheel has a 9/16 bolt in it. This bolt is how you release and apply the spring pressure on the belt. (put an extension pipe (for more leverage) on your ratchet)). After routing the belt as per the diagram by the radiator or in the owners manual, finally pull the tensioner up and slip the belt on the final pulley THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY now release the pressure and the belt is in place.
Replacing the belt on a car is usually a pretty simple and straight forward process especially if you have some car knowledge under your belt already. No one will probably be able to tell you exactly how to do it because it's different for every car, but typically you'll just need a socket wrench to do it. I can tell you that on my car (00 mustang) there's a adjustment bolt that you turn to tighten or loosen the belt and that's it. I'd suggest going to your local auto parts store and picking up a repair manual, they're usually $10-15, specific to you car and it'll give you the step by step procedure. $10 extra isn't all that much plus it'll come in handy in case something else ever goes wrong or if you want to do other things like maintenance on your own.