Serpentine Belt Question From a Newb

[pmarsh]

More of a general automotive question. I managed to replace the t-stat on m 94 xlt following some directions here on the forum and Haynes.

To get to the thermostat I ended up taking off the serpentine belt. Now as I piece it all back together I'm having a heck of a time.

My question is, how easily is the belt supposed to loop around the pulley's when you have the tensioner pulley pulled back/down? I can't get the belt up over the alternator pulley. It needs another 1" of slack I'd say. But I can't pull the tensioner any further over because I'm hitting the battery with my ratchet. Do I have to pull out the battery?

Just not sure if it's supposed to be this difficult. From other posts it really doesn't seem like it should be such an issue.

 

[lofton316]

I just replaced my belt today, and im dont think you needed to remove the belt to get to the thermostat. Could of just brought a swivel, there is a diagram on the radiator wall, it was hard at first, all i know is to put the belt around the alternator last, thats the easiest! and pull the hell out of that thing, also its better if someone help you!

 

[Maniak]

the belt fits over pretty easy if pull the tensioner all the way over. thats the trick. On my X the fan shroud is kinda boogered near the top so I can get my wrench far enough over w/out hitting the battery.

~Mark

 

[pmarsh]

Thanks!

Appreciate the replies. Going to give it a go in a few minutes.

 

[pmarsh]

Got it

Well I got the belt on. It was fairly easy, the problem was that the upper radiator hose was in the way. What I ended up doing was using a shorter ratchet, pushing it all the way over, sliding an iron pipe down behind the radiator hose and over the handle of the ratchet.

This was I was able to get that extra inch and easily hold-on with one hand and adjust the belt with the other.

And thankfully the t-stat replacement worked as well. No leaks so far and no more overheating. Plus now I know how to change out the belt.

 

[ma96782]

Good show! I was gonna say...."you got it off, so.....it'll go back on."

Aloha, Mark

 

[mikeinri]

Great job. I too withheld from offering advice, because I realized that I've never replaced my belt without having the hoses, shroud and radiator out of the Explorer (I've done this twice). With all that stuff out, it's REALLY easy!

Mike

 

[Tony H]

It would have been nice IF ford thought to let you replace the T'stat without the Tensioner being right in the way of the one bolt.
ANd that tensioner nut is so close to the fan, you really need a full swing of the ratchet to give enough room to get the belt on.

Good job

 

[mikeinri]

I agree Tony. Either there's a trick to it, or everyone else on this board has way more patience than you and I seem to. Everyone says "Just replace your t-stat..." like it's no big deal. Even with the belt, shroud and radiator out I have a hell of a time with that one bolt, even with every u-joint I try...

Mike