1991 Buick Century Belt tensioner replacement

REAKTTWOZERO

MEMBER
1991 BUICK CENTURY
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
12,200 MILES

I was driving my car home from the store the other day when I noticed my power steering shut off. I made it home and popped to the hood to see the serpentine belt had come off. I noticed that a piece of the belt tensioner had broken off and the pulley was no longer applying any pressure to the belt. I wanted to replace the part myself to save some money. Do I have to remove a bunch of stuff to replace this? How exactly would I remove it and install the other? Thanks!

4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Actyally, you should be able to access the tensionier without removing anything. It is bolted to the engine block. Just unbolt it and remove it.

Make sure the belt wasn't damaged when it came off.

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Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010 AT 10:42 AM

JALOPYPAPA

MEMBER
467 POSTS

Just wanted to share that with the 3300 engine, you do need to remove the power steering pump and one side of the alternator, since the tensioner is also the bracket for those compenents. Then there are three bolts holding the tensioner, two of which have an extension for bolting on ground wires and a hanger for the heater pipe. For the latter, you may need to bend the tab down out of the way to get a deep-well 15 mm socket on the bolt head; otherwise, it's slow going with an open-end wrench and little room to swing it. I've got two of these cars and they both developed a rattle on the tensioner arm. The pulley bearing was OK, but the shaft it fits on, being aluminum, was worn.

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Monday, April 12th, 2010 AT 8:01 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS