How to Put a Belt on a Car Engine

Replacing the serpentine belt on your car is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour with the right tools and a little know-how. The serpentine belt drives all of the accessories on your engine, including the alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioning compressor. If the belt fails, your car will not be able to run.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

New serpentine belt
Wrench
Socket wrench
Ratchet
Belt tensioner tool

Step-by-Step Instructions

Safety first! Before you start working on your car, make sure it is parked on a level surface and the engine is turned off. Allow the engine to cool down before you start working on it.
Locate the serpentine belt. The serpentine belt is usually located on the front of the engine. It is a long, thin belt that runs around all of the accessories on the engine.
Loosen the belt tensioner. The belt tensioner is a spring-loaded device that keeps the serpentine belt tight. To loosen the belt tensioner, insert a wrench into the square hole on the tensioner and turn it counterclockwise.
Remove the old belt. Once the belt tensioner is loose, you can remove the old belt by slipping it off of the pulleys. Start by removing the belt from the smallest pulley and work your way up to the largest pulley.
Install the new belt. To install the new belt, start by slipping it onto the smallest pulley. Then, work your way up to the largest pulley, making sure that the belt is routed correctly around all of the pulleys.
Tighten the belt tensioner. Once the new belt is installed, tighten the belt tensioner by turning the wrench clockwise. Be careful not to overtighten the belt, as this can damage the belt or the tensioner.
Check the belt tension. Once the belt is tightened, check the belt tension by pressing on the belt with your thumb. The belt should be tight enough so that it does not slip, but not so tight that it is overstressed.

Tips

If you are not comfortable replacing the serpentine belt yourself, you can take your car to a mechanic to have it done.
It is important to replace the serpentine belt according to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. The serpentine belt is a critical component of your car’s engine, and it should be replaced before it fails.
If you hear a squealing noise coming from your engine, it could be a sign that the serpentine belt is loose or damaged. If you hear a squealing noise, inspect the serpentine belt and replace it if necessary.

Conclusion

Replacing the serpentine belt on your car is a relatively simple task that can be completed in about an hour with the right tools and a little know-how. By following these step-by-step instructions, you can save yourself the cost of having a mechanic replace the belt for you.