Replace the accessory belt on the Saturn L series

Discussion in 'Saturn L-series' started by Newsguy, Jun 11, 2005.

  1. Newsguy

    Newsguy Guest

    How do you replace the engine accessory belt on the 2001 Saturn L series 4
    cyl. Mine broke.

    Is there a trick or two to replace it??


    Thank you

    Jim
     
    Newsguy, Jun 11, 2005
    #1
  2. Newsguy

    Newsguy Guest

    I found the tensioning pulley but cannot get a wrench on. Any help?
     
    Newsguy, Jun 12, 2005
    #2
  3. Newsguy

    rufus Guest

    remove the right front wheel... behind it is a removable plastic panel which
    gives you access to the pulley, alternator, tensioner, etc.
     
    rufus, Jun 13, 2005
    #3
  4. Newsguy

    Newsguy Guest

    Thank you Rufus. Beforehand, I was thinking about removing the wheel but I
    was feeling around the inside panel and could not find an opening. Go
    figure. I thought it was kind of dumb to make that an inaccessible spot or
    use a special tool.

    Well I ended up running a 5/8's line down behind the pulley and looping it
    through and bringing up in the front. I tied 2 half hitches and looped the
    end around a crowbar. I rested the top end of the bar on the engine cover
    and was able to raise the pulley. It needed two people to do it. One to
    raise the pulley and one to slide on the belt. I just could not get the
    pulley high enough by myself to do the job. Once the pulley was high it was
    cake. I knew it should have been a 10 minute job. I almost went to Saturn
    for the fix. Thanks again for responding.

    Jim
     
    Newsguy, Jun 13, 2005
    #4
  5. Best way is to buy a proper belt tool. I have several. One of them has
    a 14mm crow's foot that fits nicely on the tensor. The belt tool is
    specially designed to be very, very slim.
     
    Robert M. Gary, Jun 15, 2005
    #5
  6. BTW: When using the proper tool there is no reason to remove the wheel.
    You can change the belt from under the hood (done it several times).

    -Robert
     
    Robert M. Gary, Jun 16, 2005
    #6
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