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2002 Pontiac Sunfire

Question: belt tensioner

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bybbs, 4 Cylinder, OHV, Chippewa Falls, WI, July 15, 2009, 19:28

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how do i loosen the tension to get my serpentine belt on? what tools do i need?

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• Answer #1

  patrick mannion from Greg Solow's Engine Room, July 15, 2009, 20:53
  

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  Looking at the instructions in a workshop manual it looks like the tensioner has a square "hole" at the axis of the tensioner wheel. Place I think a half inch maybe a 3/8 breaker bar in the hole and pry the tensioner gently in the direction in which allows the belt to get slack. Make sure you draw a diagram for yourself to show the correct routing of the fan belt.
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• Answer #2

  poffgray January 09, 2010, 19:48
  

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  There is a proper tool ironically called a serpentine belt tool. This has a thinner head and longer handle to aid in the removal.
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