Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance How to change serpentine belt?

Does the tensioner need to be replaced? Get the gatorback belt. Other belts just aren't as good. I still need to get one cuz my belt slips when it's cold.

I had my belt replaced twice by Pep Boys ( screwd it up the first time), anyways the belt was $26 I though it was a great deal, now it squeals again, and it looks it bad shape, it was repalced less than a year ago.
Buy Motorcraft, more expesnive, but they last and stay quieter a lot longer.

The tensioner doesn't cost too much. Check your other pullies while you're at it. www.fordpartsonline.com Yeah you mite wanna go ahead and get your timing belt replaced. Everything is easy to do on our cars IF you have the right tools.

I did mine from the top. Put a floor jack with a piece of wood on it under the engine and jack it up slightly. Remove the motor mount on top of the engine to get to the belt easier. Replaced the tensioner($56 at a NAPA store), the idler pully($28 at Autozone), the belt ($28 at Autozone). You need a T40 TORX bit on the tensioner. A 13mm and I think a 19mm deep socket for the motor mount. Getting the new belt on is tough UNLESS you put it on BEFORE putting the idler pulley on. The idler pulley goes on EASILY if you just push the belt down while putting it on.

Used a serpentine belt tool (15mm bolt on tensioner) and slid the belt off. Installed it the same way (had to remove the motor mount and jack the motor up because of S/C).

Man, I wouldn't pay anyone to work on my car unless I was physically incapable of doing it myself. All together, it only took me about 45 minutes to an hour to get this all done with the help of my brother, start to finish, and that includes the trip to the parts store. I used a Dayco 5060735 that I picked up from Checker Auto Parts, and I haven't had any problems with it at all. Just keep it simple and take your time, and you'll be fine.

P.S. I knew that your supercharger would throw a curve at you somehow, Hector

I wouldnt replace the tensior unless it was broken, why bother to fix it if it isnt broke. I dont really see that as maitnance item, as they last a long time.

ok, well i just replaced my serpintine belt maybe a month ago, with the goodyear gatorback belt, i thought that would stop the squeelling problem on cold mornings, and when your going very slow turning your steering wheel, so the p/s thing takes alot of power, and i thought that was why it was slipping. but it still does it more often then not, so now i think i need to replace the tensioner, or something.

what should i change and how hard would that be to change the tensioner?

thank ya!