How to remove the top serpentine idler pulley?

JC-842

MEMBER
1998 NISSAN ALTIMA
2.4L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
105,000 MILES

Hello, can someone please tell me how to remove the top idler pulley? It appears to be attached with a single bolt/ fastener. The problem is how to remove it. There's no room for a ratchet. It's too tight and the pulley appears to have come loose and broken all my belts drive / AC. The pulley has come apart, but the bolt is still in place. Looks like a snap ring behind the pulley may have come loose. I replaced the drive belt last year. I noticed a strange noise coming from the front of the engine two days ago and today I had to go get the car off the side of the road. It broke both belts when the pulley came apart. I'm not sure how to replace it as there's no room to get it off, I'm not sure if the top mount has to come off or not. Can someone help me? Thanks. JC

5 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,356 POSTS

It looks like the idler pulley is part of the spring load tensioner in which case the complete unit will need to be replaced. Check out the images (below). Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.

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Friday, July 7th, 2023 AT 12:14 PM

JC-842

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181 POSTS

I think we're talking about a different pulley, it's not the pulley that you need the special tool to move the tensioner. It's a pulley at the top the back side of the belt rides on it. See attached pulley and also the bolt that. Holds the pulley on. The pulley rides very close to the fender well the bolt design is a real stumper. You will see the bolt sticks out of the block. It is not removable. The pulley slips over the bolt and is held on by a 14 mm nut. The nut was missing. You cannot see it very well because the top motor mounts is in the way. I shined a flashlight on the bolt to brighten up the photo. I hope you can make it out. I sent two pics of the pulley. The center part that the fastener goes through. It froze up so it could not turn. Please discard the last two photos. I could not delete them. Thanks. JC

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Friday, July 7th, 2023 AT 4:46 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,356 POSTS

It sounds like the car was in an accident and the engine has shifted over which is impeding your repair. You may need to loosen the engine mounts and lower or raise the engine to help gain access. There are two idlers, is this the one you are talking about?

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Saturday, July 8th, 2023 AT 11:31 AM

JC-842

MEMBER
181 POSTS

Thanks. No accident just couldn't find the third mount. I think it's in the rear of the engine. No matter I have since. Removed the pulley and replaced the new one. I found that by not jacking the front end up loosen the front center mount and passenger side mount place floor jack and plywood under the oil pan risky. But lifts the engine high enough to do the job. Putting the front end on jack stands. Didn't work leaving front end on the ground and jacking on the engine only was a snap.. JC

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Saturday, July 8th, 2023 AT 12:25 PM

KEN L