Olds Aurora belt replacement

RECRUITER

MEMBER
OLDSMOBILE

I have a 1996 4.0L Aurora with about 72k miles. This evening the message center read turn off a/c, followed quickly by engine is hot, followed by too hot-turn off. Fortunately I was only a couple blocks from home, and I made it back.
When I checked the engine, I found the belt, on the drivers side, front upper end of the even bank, to be totally shredded. I assume this is the water pump belt. I was told that I should replace both the water pump belt, and the a/c belt together, since they usually last about the same time. Plus the section will be exposed to replace them.
What is the procedure to replace both the water pump belt, and the a/c belt? Thank you.

1 Reply

KTL SPIDER

MEMBER
3 POSTS

You're correct that the water pump belt is at the upper driver's side of the engine. Replacement is rather simple.

You remove the air cleaner assembly to get better access (or not if you don't want to) and then remove the inspection/protective cover for the water pump belt. I believe it's two 10mm nuts which hold it in place. After removing the cover, release the tension on the belt (probably none anymore since it's shredded) and remove by fishing the belt around the pulley and valve cover, toward the rear of the car. Installation is basically reversing the steps.

I did this job when re-sealed the water pump housing on my car. I removed the valve cover at the same time because I thought I had to do so to replace the belt. I recall after doing the job, thinking to myself that i'm a dope and didn't have to remove the valve cover to replace the belt- that's the only reason I removed the valve cover. So I apologize if you do indeed have to remove and reinstall the valve cover.

But I recall thinking I didn't have to do the valve cover job when I installed the belt with the valve cover removed. Removing the cover is no small task because the water pump drive pulley (driven by the camshaft which pokes thru the valve cover) is pressed onto the shaft and requires some specialty tools to remove and reinstall. Believe me, i'm correct on this issue because I bought the specialty tools!

Good luck,
Kevin