DESCRIPTION (4.3L VIN W & 5.7L VIN P ONLY)
A single serpentine drive belt is used to drive all engine accessories. (Scheme 1)- (Scheme 11). On vehicles with the "V08" heavy-duty cooling system, an additional belt is used to drive the mechanical cooling fan. All belt-driven accessories are rigidly mounted to the engine with belt tension maintained by a spring loaded tensioner assembly.
The indicator just behind the tensioner assembly pulley must fall within the acceptable range once the belt is installed. (Scheme 1)- (Scheme 11). If the indicator mark on the tensioner assembly does not fall within the acceptable range with the belt is properly installed, replace the belt.
Scheme 1
Scheme 2
Scheme 3
Scheme 4
Scheme 5
Scheme 6
Scheme 7
Scheme 8
Scheme 9
Scheme 10
Scheme 11
BELT TENSION SPECIFICATIONS
Note. (Scheme 12)for aligning the drive belt.
Note. (Scheme 13)for identifying serpentine belt tension marks (typical illustration).
Note. DO NOT allow tensioner to snap against belt.
- Serpentine belt is automatically adjusted by tensioner. To check for proper tensioning of belt, run engine at normal operating temperature with all accessories on. Turn steering wheel fully left and right several times (vehicles with power steering). Shut engine off.
- Depress tensioner arm until belt becomes loose on pulleys. Slowly allow tensioner to return to belt. If mark on tensioner arm falls within operating range (2 marks) on tensioner body, go to next step. (Scheme 13) If mark is out of range, replace accessory drive belt. Re-check for correct operating range. If mark still does not fall within operating range, replace tensioner.
- Measure belt tension. If tension is not as specified, replace belt. See «BELT TENSION»(/buick/century/v-1982-1996/remont/accessory-drive-belts/#drive-belt-routing) table.
| Application (1) | Tension - Lbs. (kg) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Serpentine Belt (2) | |||
| 2.0L (VIN H) | 225 (102) | ||
| 2.2L (VIN 4) | |||
| "A" Body | 51-71 (23-32) | ||
| All Others | 64-77 (29-35) | ||
| 2.3L (VIN A, D & 3) | 51 (23) | ||
| 3.1L (VIN M & T) | 51-71 (23-32) | ||
| 3.4L (VIN S & X) | 51-71 (23-32) | ||
| 3.8L (VIN L & 1) | 51-71 (23-32) | ||
| 4.3L (VIN W) | (3) | ||
| 5.7L (VIN P & 7) | (3) | ||
| "V" Belt | |||
| 2.3L (VIN A) | |||
| Power Steering | 110 (50) | ||
| (1) Specifications are for new belts only. (2) Serpentine belt is automatically adjusted by the tensioner. (3) Specification not released by manufacturer. | |||
| (1) | Specifications are for new belts only. |
| (2) | Serpentine belt is automatically adjusted by the tensioner. |
| (3) | Specification not released by manufacturer. |
BELT TENSION SPECIFICATIONS
Scheme 12
Scheme 13
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION (4.3L VIN W & 5.7L VIN P ONLY)
Note. Use (Scheme 10) with this procedure.
Removal
- Disconnect the battery negative cable.
- If equipped with a mechanical fan: Remove the fan belt (198) from the tensioner assembly (40). Use 13-mm wrench to rotate tensioner pulley clockwise while sliding belt (198) from tensioner.
- If equipped with a mechanical fan: Remove the fan belt (198) from pulleys (41 and 192). Remove radiator outlet pipe nuts at air conditioning compressor assembly. Raise and suitably support vehicle.
- On all, remove serpentine drive belt (148) from tensioner assembly (253).: Use 9/16-inch offset wrench to rotate tensioner pulley clockwise while sliding belt (148) from tensioner assembly pulley. Remove serpentine drive belt (148) from accessory pulleys.
Cleaning
Clean the serpentine drive belt surfaces.
Installation
- Install serpentine drive belt (148) to accessory pulleys. Install serpentine drive belt (148) to tensioner assembly (253), making sure the drive belt (148) is aligned into proper grooves of accessory drive pulleys.
- If equipped with a mechanical fan: Lower vehicle. Install radiator outlet pipe nuts at air conditioning compressor assembly. Install fan belt (198) to pulleys (41 and 192). Install fan belt (198) to tensioner assembly (40).
- On all, connect battery negative cable.
| CAUTION | When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION before disconnecting battery. |
INSPECTION OF BELT
Routine inspection of the belt may reveal cracks in the belt ribs. These cracks will not impair belt performance and therefore should not be considered a problem requiring belt replacement. However, the belt should be replaced if the belt causes belt slip to occur or if sections of the belt ribs are missing.
See also:
• BELT TENSION