How to Replace Serpentine Belt Tensioner 96-98 Buick LeSabre
Difficulty: Advanced · About 110 min · Buick Lesabre
Replace the serpentine belt tensioner, including removing the alternator and draining the coolant, on a 1996-1998 Buick LeSabre.
Tools you will need
- 13mm socket
- Flat blade screwdriver
- 15mm socket
- Pry bar
- 8mm wrench
- Drain pan
- 10mm socket
- Ratchet
- Antifreeze
- Pick
Parts and supplies
- Serpentine belt tensioner
Steps
- Remove the serpentine belt
Disconnect the negative battery cable with an 8mm wrench, familiarize yourself with the routing, fit a 15mm socket into the tensioner, turn it clockwise to loosen the belt, pull the belt off the alternator, release the tensioner, then pull it off the rest of the way by hand.
- Remove the alternator
Remove its three 13mm bolts, the bracket's 10mm bolt, and the 13mm nut on the bracket below the coils, lift the alternator up, disconnect its wiring harness, then remove it.
- Drain the coolant
Remove the splash pan's 10mm and 7mm bolts, place a drain pan underneath, turn the plastic drain plug to drain the coolant, close it again, then reattach the splash pan's bolts.
- Remove the old tensioner
Remove the two 8mm bolts holding the coolant pipes to the tensioner, pull and wiggle the pipes free, remove the tensioner's two 13mm bolts, then pry it free with a flat blade screwdriver between it and the engine block.
- Install the new tensioner
Confirm the sealing surfaces are clean, fit the new elbow into the tensioner, line it up with the engine block and press it in, insert and tighten its 13mm bolts, remove the old seals from the coolant pipes with a pick, fit new seals, insert the pipes, then insert and tighten the two 8mm bolts.
- Install the alternator
Set it on top of the tensioner, insert its 13mm bolts, insert the bracket's 10mm bolt, set the bracket into place, insert the 13mm bolts at the alternator and below the coils, then connect the wiring harness.
- Reinstall the serpentine belt
Loop it around the A/C compressor, crankshaft, water pump, idler and power steering pulleys, pull it over the alternator, pull the tensioner clockwise with the 15mm socket, pull the belt over the tensioner, then release it.
- Refill the coolant
Remove the radiator cap, refill the coolant bottle as needed, then reconnect the negative battery cable.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.