Hello all....This is my first post on here so please be gentle...lol....ok, here's my problem...my alternator belt is loose and since I have only had this car about three weeks now, i am unfarmiliar with how to work on it...i recently had a 91 cutlass supreme...anyhow...can someone give me advice on how one adjusts the belt on this car.....it would be greatly appriciated.....

[&o]
Thanks All

 

try and tighten up your belt tensioner otherwise get a new belt...[sm=signs003.gif][sm=nxsmile.gif]

 

that is what i am trying to find out how to adjust the tension...where is it located on this car...my old car was adjusted with the alternator itself.....

 

I forget where it is exactly, but look for the wheel that does not drive anything and you will find it.

 

Thank you so much.....appriciate the help

 

Well first off there are two bolts you tighten there is one on the alternator itself and then one under it on the right side. tighten it first and then the alternator one. Make sure u have your powerstearing or v-belt on last. If you are still having problems you might have the wrong belt... Cross reference the numbers on your old belt b/c three parts stores in town here have the wrong beltsize as well for the serpentines. So make sure you have the right belt.

 

theres a total of 3 bolts you will need to loosen/tighten to adjust the alternator belt (unless two are already loose..)

on the "front" of the alt (the side thats facing the fender) there are two bolts that the alt swivels on. i believe both are 15mm. loosen those so that the alt will swing freely.
then the tension adjustment bolt, you need to look down behind the block (the side facing the firewall) .. look pretty much directly in front of the coolant overflow bottle. you should see the 13mm bolt there.. thats the tension adjustment bolt. i know, space is a little tight.. but you can do it

so, tighten away at that 13mm bolt until proper belt tension is reached. then tighten them two front bolts to make sure the alt is nice and tight.

wish i had pics of this, but im afraid i dont.

ah and i almost forgot, to get to the 2 front bolts, youll need to remove the plastic splash guard inside the passenger wheel well.

now, you *might* be able to just reach back and tighten that 13mm bolt and tighten the tension up.. you might not. mine, ive always had to loosen the two front bolts since they were too tight to let the alt swing.

 

yeah theres three bolts but id figure he woulda already got the 1st one.

 

hehe, i was typing my reply when you posted yours, so i didnt even see your post till just now actually.

this kinda topic comes up pretty often too, on all the neon message boards i visit. i *really* should get around to taking some pictures to make it easier to show where exactly the bolts are and how to get to them the easiest.

 

hehe yah really the hardest part is loosening the v belt to get the alternator belt the best way I have found is removing the radiator hose and not nudging the coolant valve...and using a ratcheting monkey wrench...LOL nothing like blowing out a coolant valve at 65 mph.