Repair 7

How to Release the Tension on a Belt Tensioner Pully

The belt tensioner pulley in an automobile is a small pulley that serves to push against any slack in the engines serpentine belts, thereby keeping them taut. When these belts need to be removed, whether for repair or maintenance, the belt tensioner needs to be moved in order to release the tension on the belt, allowing the belt to be pulled off. Releasing the tension on the belts can be done quickly and easily.

Instructions

1

Open the hood of your car and locate the belt tensioner. It is a small pulley attached to a spring-loaded arm near the center of the engine, usually directly underneath the alternator.

2

Use a socket wrench to turn the bolt in the center of the pulley. In most cars, you will need to turn the bolt clockwise, but in some older American cars you may need to turn the bolt counterclockwise.

3

Hold the wrench so that the bolt remains turned and pull the belt off of the pulleys. This is a hydraulic bolt, so you just need to turn it, not unscrew it.