1990 Ford Tempo 2.3 belt tensioner replacement---how to do it?

ZOOEYHALL

MEMBER
1990 FORD TEMPO
150,000 MILES

I need to replace the serpentine belt tensioner assembly on my 1990 Tempo 2.3 l. However I can't see how to get access to the tensioner assembly for removal. There is very tight clearance on the right side of the engine, and there is only about 1 inch of space between the tensioner assembly and the right wheel well-engine compartment. No way to reach the attaching bolts that I can see.

Looking the situtation over, it seems I need to remove the right side motor mount and then raise the engine about 2-3 inches, which looks like it would give me enough access to remove the tensioner assembly. Can anyone advise on this? Is there a simpler way? Thank you!

6 Replies

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

THIS MAY BE BETTER THAN TEXT!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wg1AX77xEBQ

LET ME KNOW IF THIS HELPS

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, January 15th, 2012 AT 2:04 AM

ZOOEYHALL

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Thanks for the reply. While the video is infomative, it doesn't quite depict the situation on my Tempo. The motor he is working on is quite different from mine. I need to actually replace the tensioner assembly, not just the belts. And on the engine depicted in this video, there is much more clearance to access the tensioner mounting bolts.

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Sunday, January 15th, 2012 AT 3:05 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

MECHANIC
11,004 POSTS

NOT HAVING DONE THIS FEAT ON YOUR VEHICLE

I SEARCHED FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES IN MITCHELL I

REMOVAL WAS MENTIONED IN 2 PLACES--(SEE 1ST PIC)....NOT MUCH THERE

MENTIONED AGAIN IN "ENGINE REMOVAL" IT SIMPLY SAYS: "REMOVE TENSIONER"....(AFTER THE ENGINE IS OUT OF THE CAR)

I KNOW THIS MUST FRUSTRATE YOU AND YOU WANT STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONSI'M GIVING YOU ALL I CAN FIND---AND MAYBE SUGGESTIONS TO COMPLETE YOUR TASK DIY (LIKE!) I TOO WOULD FROWN UPON A BIG SHOP OR THE STEALERSHIP DOING THIS "NOT SO HARD JOB" AND LEAVING WITH THAT "VICTIM" SHATTERED LOOK!

THIS IS A TYPICAL PIC OF YOUR TENSIONER (PIC 2)

PIC 3 IS THE FRONT VIEW OF THE ENGINE

I FOUND ANOTHER VIDEO WITH A 2.3 ENGINE--THE TENSIONER LOOKS TO BE IN ANOTHER LOCATION.....MIGHT HELP SOME.......WHAT YOU WILL REALLY LIKE!!!........THE NARRATOR SEEMS TO BE A MIME!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTDkgmNo40w

IF YOU WILL CHANGE/ ADD/ REARRANGE/ SUBTRACT WORDS IN MY SEARCH EVEN SCROLL THRU SUGGESTIONS DOWN THE SIDE---YOU MIGHT FIND MORE RESULTS THAT MAY WORK FOR YOU.

THIS HAS/STILL DOES WORK FOR ME--I BUY ANY I DON'T ALREADY HAVE...SEE THIS POST AND MY ANSWER AT THE END

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2000-ford-taurus-wondering-car-shakes-about-10-15-minutes-start-morning

HERE ARE SOME, "PLEASE ASSIST ME FOR FREE OR A SMALL GRATUITY", THINGS YOU MIGHT LOOK INTO

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1999-infiniti-q45-replace-rear-o2-sensor

LET US KNOW YOUR PROGRESS, OR IF I MIGHT TRY MORE

SORRY I COULD NOT FIND MORE IN THE ONLINE MANUAL

THE MEDIC

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Sunday, January 15th, 2012 AT 4:31 AM

ZOOEYHALL

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I succesfully replaced the belt tensioner assembly. On this car, because of the tight clearance on the right hand side of the engine, it was necessary to do the following:

1) Remove the alternator
2) Remove cruise control assembly from right fender
3) Place jack under oil pan to support engine
4) Remove top plate from right-hand motor mount (two bolts on top, one nut reached from underneath car
5) Raise engine about 3 inches, to allow access to tensioner attaching bolts.

Hope this helps someone in the future.

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Monday, January 23rd, 2012 AT 4:05 PM

ZOOEYHALL

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Correction on the right motor mount top plate removal---there are also two stud nuts on the top that need to be removed. A total five fasteners to remove top plate---2 bolts and 3 stud nuts (one from underneath).