Hey guys I have a 97' Cavalier 2.2 liter and the serpentine belt is breaking, I was wondering how much of a pain in my ass is it going to be to replace it?
just make sure you have the correct routing of your belt. 15 min tops
sorry, there is a tensioner that keeps the belt tight. i cant remember what size it is, but loosen the tensioner (spring loaded) to get the off and back on.
15 mm. put a wrench on it, and pull it towards the front of the car. wrap it around all the pullies but the alternator, then pull the tensioner. as you do, put the belt on the alt. pulley. if you cant get it completely on, grab a hold of the alt and power steering pullies and turn the a revolution or two to get it seated.
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Is the tensioner not a bit far down to put a wrench on? Or is that just the sunfires. But as far as replacing it goes its fairly striaght forward, just make sure you have the correct belt, correct routing and you should be ok. Only problem i found was getting it to sit round all the pulleys at the bottom of the car its just a bit akward. But then again i was doing this on a 99 sunfire 2200 but there pretty similar.
(99 - Sunfire - Red - 2200)(95 - Cavalier z24 - Purple - 2.3 quad four)
alright, I'll see what I can do with it tomorrow, I heard it's a nightmare cuz the spaces are so tight, I wouldn't know, I'm more used to working on V8's is there anywhere I can find a routing diagram for my car, I don't know where it is under the hood, (usually there's a picture)
Mine was on the underside of the hood as far as i can remember. At the very top.
Yeah space is a bit tight which makes things a bit more complicated but once you get the bottom ones on you shouldn't have to much trouble, just fiddle around until you get it.
If you can't find the sticker under your hood of the routing this should help
http://z.about.com/d/autorepair/1/0/X/S/62513796.gif
By the looks of it, the Tensioner is slightly easier to get to then it is on my 99 Fire. It seems to sit higher up which will make things easier as far as loosening up the tension goes.
Anyway have fun
(99 - Sunfire - Red - 2200)(95 - Cavalier z24 - Purple - 2.3 quad four)
4bangerdeathsquad wrote:Ashley Chapman wrote:Is the tensioner not a bit far down to put a wrench on?
depends on your wrench
Ha ha good point
. The standard 15mm are very long is what i meant so if its as far down as i think you'd probably need a long handle or a serpentine belt removal tool.
(99 - Sunfire - Red - 2200)(95 - Cavalier z24 - Purple - 2.3 quad four)
I was looking under my hood, and here's a dumb question for you...where's the tensoiner at that I have to put the wrench on, I don't see it.
also would it be easier to remove the alternator, ther put the belt on, thd then squeeze the belt around the alternator pulley, and bolt the alternator back on? it seems like it would be easier, seeing how I can reach all of the bolts that are on the alt.
its under the alterrnator on the left near the bottom on mine and no just leave it in place once u can get the tensionor to slack enough it slips on (little fanagleing) but it get on. like stated 15 mins with the right stuff.
So according to the internet GM used an "Idler Pulley" on the older 2.2 and 2.0l motors, but later realized it was better to introduce a tensioner. But apparently some 97's have been found to still have an idler pulley instead of a tensioner. I cannot seem to find a picture of the 97 Cavalier Belt routing i just keep getting the 2200 or something completely different.
Anyway the picture below is of a 2200, but it may help you to locate your tensioner or idler pulley because you can see what it looks like. I hope this helps you.
Brown circle- Power steering
Blue circle- Idler pulley
Purple circle- Alternator pulley
Green circle- A/C if applicable
Yellow circle- Water Pump pulley
Pink circle- Crankshaft Pulley
Red arrow points to Tensioner
(Just for the record i found this picture on this website
http://www.automotiveforums.com/t309192.html so i did NOT make it myself)
(99 - Sunfire - Red - 2200)(95 - Cavalier z24 - Purple - 2.3 quad four)
do not unbolt the alternator. the pulley thats between your alternator and power steering pullies, you'll notice the belt rides on the back (smooth, un-ribbed) side, thats your tensioner. see red circle.
Quote:
If you can't find the sticker under your hood of the routing this should help
http://z.about.com/d/autorepair/1/0/X/S/62513796.gif
thats not the 95-97 2.2.
not sure which engine it is, but thats not it. because this is.
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Ooops My bad.
(99 - Sunfire - Red - 2200)(95 - Cavalier z24 - Purple - 2.3 quad four)
Ok I got it figured out, I changed the belt today, but found out my tensioner was screwed up, so I had to repalce that too...goodbye $100
i got mine for 23... *employee disc*
Ashley Chapman wrote:Is the tensioner not a bit far down to put a wrench on? Or is that just the sunfires. But as far as replacing it goes its fairly striaght forward, just make sure you have the correct belt, correct routing and you should be ok. Only problem i found was getting it to sit round all the pulleys at the bottom of the car its just a bit akward. But then again i was doing this on a 99 sunfire 2200 but there pretty similar.
I tired every other tool for my life to release the tensioner to replace the belt - no dice. I ended up using a crow bar and taking off the alternator. Now my threads are stripped to shyte so I have to tap my threads again.
Lesson learned:
Use the proper tool.
Cost me 35 bucks at the local car parts store.
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2002 Sunfire -->
- Ractive steering wheel
- ASA 17" EM9 + Nexen N5000 215/45/17 (steelies for winter)
- D-Spec Lowering kit @ 1.4" (issues currently
)
- Rockford P250.1 + MTX MZS1004 + Panasonic CQ-C8313U head unit
- Barely legal tint.
Well, I pussed out and had it put on, cuz I don't have the time and patience to work in such a small space, so yeah the part ran I think, $50 or so, oh well atleast it's fixed now, they asked me if I've been racing my car or something cuz I guess it was messed up pretty bad, I dunno
