edit: if you end up here due to a similar error in expertise, know that the adjuster bolt underneath the power steering pump has a lot more play than what was immediately discernable to me, thus tightening the hell out of it resulted in the eventual proper amount of tension on my serpentine belt... a real newbie error

howdy,

i came across this forum googling like a madman, but couldn't find an answer to my scenario

just replaced my belt due to terrible squealing noise from front end (loosened ps top bolt, two rear bolts, that long bolt on the bottom (adjuster?)) and the idler to achieve this

installed new belt and tightend it up, only the new belt has considerable more slack than the precious component

now, is this just a matter of playing with the adjuster bolt and idler pulley bolt until it is adequately tight, before retightening the three ps bolts, or did i fudge something? to be clear, i did not find haynes manual terribly useful in this specific instance

 

Welcome to the forum. Which belt did you get?

 

hi, thanks and thanks for taking the time to troubleshoot with me
it's the Gates Micro-V Serpentine Belt 6 Rib 103 Inch - K061025, which shows as compatible for my model/engine on the parts finder i used

 

It's a little hard to tell what you're doing with all that bolt loosening but:
1 throw away the Haynes book and download the factory shop manual
2) assuming the new belt is essentially the same length as the old belt (aka you have the right belt)all you need to do is loosen the bolt in the center of the idler pulley and adjust the adjustment screw then tighten the idler bolt

 

The correct tension is:
• new belt - 800 to 900 N (180 to 200 lbs-f)
• used belt - 623 to 712 N (140 to 160 lbs-f)

New belt is one that's been run 15 minutes or less.

Best way to measure tension is with a tension gauge (like a Krikit). Tighten the adjuster lock nut first, then the others. Check the tension again.

 

thanks for the tip, i will look into the manual
below is what i am working with, where bolts 1-3 had to be loosened for me to get the old belt off after trying to do it with only the adjuster (4) and the idle (5) loosened

[front view] bolt (1) at top of ps pump configuration, loosened

[rear view] bolt (2) on top of ps pump configuration, loosened

[rear view] bolt (3) below rear top of ps configuration, loosened

[front/side view] slot for adjuster bolt (4), which is not present in photo as i was experimenting with belt tension

[front view] bolt (5) for idler, loosened

 

about to try all of the advice here to see if i have been making simple procedural errors and will report back, in my photos the adjuster bolt is missing because i wanted to see if it would change how much play the other bolts (1-3) would offer when loosened, it wasn't missing from my overall effort for the record

 

That belt fits, it may or may not stop your squeaking problem. You are right, it is odd that the removed belt seems to be shorter than the new one. Tighten the belt with the adjuster, snug down all those other fasteners. If you don't have a tension gage, the belt needs to be like 5 times tighter than you think it should be. If it continues to squeak, try Continental Gatorback.

 

good call on the too tight notion, i realize the adjuster bolt is not something that can apparently be over fastened, as i had neglected to explore the amount of adjustment it can withstand

after putting that bolt in and cranking on it the belt became quite tight, i fear it was my misunderstanding of its true potential that caused my misstep, as the belt is now on spec and everything else was easily refastened

after inheriting this car and not knowing much about them to begin with, it seems a newbies lack of knowledge was a good impetus to come here

thanks for the tip about the continental gatorback, i will look into it

 

You need this... both the "tips" and the shop manual download

https://cruiser54.com/

 

For what its worth...i have purchased the krikit 2 to check the belt tension on my 01. The only place that I can find enough free belt length to test it is on the right side next to the battery . The tool will not fit in with the battery installed...So remove the battery .and after you test it and its too loose or too tight, you need to run it for 30 seconds after any adjustment to spread the adjustment throughout the belt SO you have to put back the battery...run it...remove the battery...check it then and if adjustments are needed...remove the battery again...you get the picture