Serpentine Belt
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Serpentine Belt
I was driving the kids to karate class when the engine temp guage went to high, the battery guage was dropping, I was smelling radiator fluid and I lost the use of power steering. I made it to the parking lot and opened the hood , I looked under the engine and saw my serpintine belt laying on the pavement. My neighbor ca,me to look at the van and pulled the belt off the last pulley it was caught on it didn't break, but is well worn. he looked at the pulleys the belt goes around and noticed the section that has the alternator and the tension bolt was really loose, so that is how the belt came off. Does anybody know what type of bolts and where they are located that tighten this to the engine block or car. I am not savvy so forgive me for not using the right terminology. The other set of pulley wheels are taught. I have a 91 4.0 L
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: cincinnati hamilton
Serpentine Belt
i replaced my alternator in january..brrr i also have a 91 4.0 engine. as i remember the alternator connection is pretty simple
the alternator connects to its bracket with three bolts,..2 are accessable through the right wheel well, with the tire off. one is on top, on the 4.0 it has threads and a nut on it facing up at you on the right hand side of the engine. if these are all in place and tight the next thing to check would be the alternator bracket. it is held onto the engine block by three bolts all of the same size. if one or two are missing remove the remaining one and take it to the auto parts store for a match.
the tensioner is held on, and pivots on, one long bolt on top of the right hand side of the engine, it has one bolt through the center of the tensioner pully to hold it on. these should be checked
if you find the loose or missing bolt, the diagram to install the serpintine belt in on the engine hood, good luck!!
..rick p.s. take the old belt with you for comparison to new one for correct length at the auto parts store!!
91 aerostar xl ext
aka "the green bean"
182 thou miles and going...........
the alternator connects to its bracket with three bolts,..2 are accessable through the right wheel well, with the tire off. one is on top, on the 4.0 it has threads and a nut on it facing up at you on the right hand side of the engine. if these are all in place and tight the next thing to check would be the alternator bracket. it is held onto the engine block by three bolts all of the same size. if one or two are missing remove the remaining one and take it to the auto parts store for a match.
the tensioner is held on, and pivots on, one long bolt on top of the right hand side of the engine, it has one bolt through the center of the tensioner pully to hold it on. these should be checked
if you find the loose or missing bolt, the diagram to install the serpintine belt in on the engine hood, good luck!!
..rick p.s. take the old belt with you for comparison to new one for correct length at the auto parts store!!91 aerostar xl ext
aka "the green bean"
182 thou miles and going...........
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
Serpentine Belt
Because of road salt the tensioner on my Aerostar needed replacement every 25-30K. Now that I spray WD-40 into it every once in a while it seems to last at least 75K.
There really is not much adjustment to be made to the 4.0/serpentine system except at the adjuster wheel. If you can move the wheel by hand without a ratchet, it is junk, which I think is what you are saying by your post/description?
There should be no loose bolts, period. If the adjuster/pulley wheel is loose at all, then it is junk and needs to be replaced. I find the Motorcraft belts are the best, if you can not get one, then I have had good luck with Kelly (sold at NAPA).
You should only have to replace the belt every 60K or so and it usually requires removing everything over the front of the shroud, so you might as well put on a good belt instead of a cheap one from Autozone. imo.
There really is not much adjustment to be made to the 4.0/serpentine system except at the adjuster wheel. If you can move the wheel by hand without a ratchet, it is junk, which I think is what you are saying by your post/description?
There should be no loose bolts, period. If the adjuster/pulley wheel is loose at all, then it is junk and needs to be replaced. I find the Motorcraft belts are the best, if you can not get one, then I have had good luck with Kelly (sold at NAPA).
You should only have to replace the belt every 60K or so and it usually requires removing everything over the front of the shroud, so you might as well put on a good belt instead of a cheap one from Autozone. imo.
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Freshman User
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Serpentine Belt
Thank you soo much fo your info. I found a bolt under the tensioner that was completely loose. I could pull it out if the Pulley wheel was not in the way. I was able to handtight it enough to get a wrench in there and tighten it completely. Now nothing moves or jiggles. I put on a new serpentine belt an so far it is running great. Thanks again for helping a novice like me. I was soo pumped that I was able to do it myself.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by Jakea; Jul 30, 2003 at 12:21 PM.
