Replacing serpentine belt

KATIEOOO4

MEMBER
1997 BUICK RIVIERA

Engine Mechanical problem
1997 Buick Riviera 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

how do you replace the front belt on a supercharged 1997 buick riviera?

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 AT 11:18 AM

7 Replies

ERNEST CLARK

MECHANIC
1,730 POSTS

Here's the procedure for removing the belts and a link. Installation is the reverse of removal.

https://www.2carpros.com/diagrams/buick/riviera/1997

NOTE: This engine uses two accessory drive belts. The outer belt drives the supercharger. The inner belt drives the generator, power steering pump, coolant pump and air conditioning compressor. All driven accessories are rigidly mounted to the engine. Drive belt tension is maintained by the spring loaded belt tensioners. Each belt has its own tensioner.

GENERAL INFORMATION
A belt squeak when the engine is started or stopped is normal and has no effect on belt durability. The drive belt tensioner can control belt tension over a broad range of belt lengths due to stretching; however, there are limits to the tensioners ability to compensate. Using the tensioner outside of its operating range can result in poor tension control and/or damage to the tensioner. The belt should be replaced when this condition occurs.

REMOVAL

1. Use a jack with a block of wood on the jack under the oil pan in order to support the engine. NOTE: Ensure that the wood block extends past the width of the oil pan in order to avoid damage.
2. Remove the torque axis engine mount bolt at the engine mounting bracket.
3. Disconnect the electrical connector from the crank sensor.

4. Remove the engine mounting bracket lower stud. Lower the engine in order to allow the stud to clear the frame rail.

5. Raise the engine. Reinstall the bolt into the torque axis mount.
6. Lower the engine in order to remove the spacer.

7. Remove the supercharger belt.

8. Remove the drive belt.

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Thursday, February 25th, 2010 AT 11:44 AM

PARK38

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5 POSTS

Why is it necessary to remove the electrical connector to the crank sensor?

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Saturday, February 10th, 2018 AT 5:47 AM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

This is so you do not damage the sensor connector wiring when removing the serpentine belt.

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Monday, February 12th, 2018 AT 11:48 AM

PARK38

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5 POSTS

Thanks for the reply. I do notice that the connector is close to the belt.
So it is not a factor of lowering the engine then? I have already removed the damaged belt by cutting it and am all set to lower the engine. I have loosened the stud and just need to lower the engine a bit to get it out so I can remove the sleeve and install the new belt. I do not understand steps 5 and 6 at all but think I know what do do. I plan to remove the bolt through the motor mount and lower the engine, remove the stud and sleeve and install the belt. Then reinstall the sleeve and stud, raise the engine and reassemble the engine mount. Thx again.

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Monday, February 12th, 2018 AT 1:48 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

Here are diagrams and instructions form the book so you can see how they do it.

Check out the diagrams (Below)

Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem.

Cheers, Ken

Images (Click to make bigger)

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Tuesday, February 13th, 2018 AT 9:55 AM

ASHARPE

MEMBER
1 POST
1997 BUICK RIVIERA

6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 175000 miles

How do you install serpentine belt for 1997 Buick Riviera.

uick Riviera.

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Monday, February 19th, 2018 AT 2:55 PM (Merged)

PARK38

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Here is a sure-fire procedure for replacing the serpentine belt on a 97 Buick Riviera (I think this may work on all 96-99 Rivieras):
Place a floor jack under the oil pan. Protect the oil pan by using a 2x4 long enough to span the whole pan. You are going to lower the engine about two inches. This is necessary to remove a bolt and sleeve which is blocking your ability to remove the belt and install a new one. Once the motor is supported snugly with the floor jack remove the lower motor mount bolt holding the front end of the motor. It is easily accessible on the passenger side of the engine. You may have to fuss with the jack to keep from pinching the motor mount bolt but it WILL come out. Locate a star shaped bolt located near the harmonic balancer and crank sensor plug. It may be necessary to first remove the 18 mm nut or use a 8mm on the star shape bolt to remove the bolt from a sleeve. You will have to lower the engine using the jack about two inches to get enough clearance to completely remove this bolt. The sleeve can then be removed with a bit of effort. Loosen the belt tension by torquing the tensioner pulley counterclockwise using a 15 mm socket and a breaker bar. Pull the belt off of the alternator pulley and you can then remove the belt completely.
Snake the new belt below the place where the sleeve was and under the bottom pulleys. Replace the sleeve and the star shaped bolt. Jack up the engine and replace the motor mount bolt. Again, jockeying the jack will help mate up the bolt to the hole. It should slide back in without much effort but some oil might help. You should be able to find a diagram of the belt online. Once you have it in place again torque the tensioner pulley counterclockwise and slide the belt onto the alternator. Check to make sure it is squarely centered on all the pulleys and you are good to go. Hope this helps!

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Monday, February 19th, 2018 AT 2:55 PM (Merged)