Belts diagram needed

2012 KIA OPTIMA HYBRID
19,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 2WD
Avatar
SHELLY DUNKERSON-SHAFER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I need a diagram for both belts on the car listed above
Mar 25, 2020 at 12:09 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
The water pump belt is a stretch type belt, you will need a removal installer tool for it. It is placed between the belt on the lower pulley. The main belt has a tensioner on it.
Mar 25, 2020 at 3:46 PM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

I found very limited information for the hybrid. However, I was able to find two pics. Pic one is the water pump belt and pic two is the serpentine belt.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,
Joe
Mar 25, 2020 at 3:51 PM
Avatar
KASSIEBUCK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
We can't get the larger belt back on. We also don't have the remover installer tool, any suggestions??
Mar 26, 2020 at 2:45 PM
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
The inner belt uses a standard tensioner, you put a wrench on the bolt in the middle of part a and you rotate it enough to get the belt on, Be sure you have the correct belt as that engine is very close with belt length. The stretch belt needs the installer tool, I have used a couple tricks on them but it's very easy to damage that belt if you have never installed one before. You might be able to borrow one from a parts store.
Mar 26, 2020 at 3:09 PM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

When you say the larger, are you referring to the water pump? The wider/larger belt that runs everything but the water pump has an automatic tensioner. Are you able to fully depress it? If you are and it won't go on, either you have the wrong belt or routing is wrong. Does the design in the picture I added match your vehicle?

Joe
Mar 26, 2020 at 3:10 PM
Avatar
NICK BLUMBERG
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
For anyone in the future looking for information on this, because this car (the hybrid) doesn't seem to have hardly any information online. In the diagram (A) is the tension pulley that is obvious. However (C) is also a tension pulley, you need to relieve the tension on both of these pulley's at the same time to get the belt back on. After knowing this you can see it is trying to show that in the diagram but it doesn't really stand out, at least didn't to me. Hopefully this helps someone in the future.
Dec 31, 2020 at 5:08 PM
Avatar
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,194 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Nick,

Thanks for that information. I'm certain it will help others in the future.

Take care,
Joe
Jan 1, 2021 at 11:20 PM
Avatar
COMPUNP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi, Experts.

Noob to Kia here. Both of my tensioner bearings are skewed (please see pic); the car was bought like this, and later the serpentine belt broke (which has been replaced). Do I have to tighten the tensioner bolt or something to correct the skewing please?
Aug 4, 2021 at 12:10 PM
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
That could be from loose bolts or a bent tensioner assembly, hard to say from the picture. I would remove the belt and see if the tensioners are loose, if not then remove the tensioner retainer bolts and see if they are bent or the tensioner itself is damaged. You could also get the replacement parts to compare the ones you have, if you need them you have them. if not they could be returned.
Aug 4, 2021 at 12:48 PM
Avatar
LISA L
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Is it possible that the factory miss marked the serpentine belt? I no longer have the belt that was on there. It broke and fell off. Do you know what the length of the belt is supposed to be?
Jul 19, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Not very likely, but you could have been sent the wrong part entirely. Which belt are you having trouble with? There are two on that engine. One is a stretch belt, the other has 2 tensioners that both need to be moved at the same time.
The stretch type belt that powers the water pump is part # 252122G660 The serpentine belt that powers the AC and Alt is part # 252122G652
Jul 19, 2026 at 6:28 AM
Avatar
LISA L
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
All I know is that inner belt will not go on. That's why I was asking about the size. I didn't know you had to do both tensioners at the same time either. When you look at the belt from behind the tire you can see it's smaller than it should be. Thanks for the information I'll let you know what happens
Jul 19, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Avatar
STEVE W.
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 15,200 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Yeah, you need to move both tensioners, then put the belt on and release them. Let us know how it goes.
Jul 20, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Join 2CarPros for free, one of the most advanced car repair communities on the internet. From first-time drivers to seasoned mechanics, everyone is welcome to reply, share details, and get better answers. You can add a temporary image or video first; uploads are limited to 20 MB.
Ask a Free Question
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.