For the 3.3 / 3.8L, starting at the bottom of the crankshaft pulley, come straight up in back of it, over the spring-loaded tensioner pulley with the smooth side on it, back straight down around the power steering pump, straight up over the alternator, for now go over the idler pulley right to the AC compressor and over the top of it, all the way around it so the smooth side goes over the top of the water pump and back down to the front of the crankshaft pulley. Use a 15mm combination wrench on the bolt head on the spring-loaded tensioner, then it's real helpful to hook another wrench, (14mm works good) on the open end tooth of the 15mm wrench for more leverage. As you pull the wrenches toward the front of the van, the tensioner pulley will move down providing the slack to pop the belt under the idler pulley between the alternator and AC compressor. For convenience, you can even hook the second wrench on the AC hose clip that's bolted to the right strut tower. That way you don't have to hold all the while.
For the 3.0L it starts out the same, (crankshaft, spring-loaded tensioner, power steering pump, alternator, then under the idler pulley and forward over the top of the crank pulley again. It's the same sequence as the 3.3L but without the AC compressor or water pump. The compressor is driven by a separate belt, and the water pump is an idler pulley for the timing belt.
Caradiodoc
Friday, November 26th, 2010 AT 1:08 AM