DIY Serpentine Belt REMOVAL & INSTALL

[GFRRS3]

ADMIN PLEASE STICKY!!!!

This is for the removal and installation of the serpentine belt on 1.8T engine.

Whats needed:

1-18MM open ended wrench
1-New Serpentine Belt

Make sure car is cool/cold no reason to burn arm on upper radiator hose.
Dont ask how I know.

To remove:

Take the 18mm wrench and push/pull on tensioner bracket.

See picture Below.


Loosen belt and work way down, removing belt top down.

To install:



Drape belt down and work your way up, I started with AC compressor then center roller (bit of a PITA) then I completed bottom, pull tensioner again and replace belt over Alternator and over top pulley. Make sure belt is aligned and make sure is facing correct direction(depending on manufacturer, logo facing away from engine or towards you).

[dirtybrd]

Tip: Put the belt over the bigger pulleys first, leaving the smallest one for last.

[GFRRS3]

Tip: Put the belt over the bigger pulleys first, leaving the smallest one for last.

Yup do the alternator LAST. THX.

[VagStaR]

cool post. I actually need to do this next week. Thanks

[leonbtwo]

When i was doing the timing belt i notice there's like a hole after you push the torque wrench, i just slide a screw laying around into the hole to hold the tensioner bracket. This techique gave me some time to unscrew the serpentine tensioner, i would imagine it would also give you a little more time to remove and install the belt.

[kbasham03]

Not to thread jack, but theres not supposed to be a bolt in the top of the tensioner bracket ?

[GFRRS3]

That doesnt look right....Looks like the tensioner is pulled to snug to the engine. That tab should clear those bolts without a problem. I double checked directions for 02 and its the same as 04. In other words that tab should pass infront of those bolts!!!

[old guy]

There are only three bolts that hold the tensioner on and all three are visible in the pic. The tab is in its normal position. It is actually well below the bolts, it's just the angle that makes it look different.

[kbasham03]

There are only three bolts that hold the tensioner on and all three are visible in the pic. The tab is in its normal position. It is actually well below the bolts, it's just the angle that makes it look different.

Ok thanks for clearing that up Old guy, I thought I was missing a bolt.

[GFRRS3]

There are only three bolts that hold the tensioner on and all three are visible in the pic. The tab is in its normal position. It is actually well below the bolts, it's just the angle that makes it look different.

By that picture it looks like the tab was hitting the bolt....THX oldguy!!

[Sales@RAI]

Also, there is a "gatorbelt" that works better than the OEM belt. The design is awesome and it got rid of my squeaking for ~20k miles