Any advice for replacing serpentine tensioner 97 STS?

[wachuku]

My intentions for the 4th of July holiday were to take the Cadi to my girlfriend's parents' farm for ~1/2 week and spend some time replacing the tensioner, A/C compressor and clutch. (Compressor leaking refrigerant).

Unfortunately the car has stopped starting since those plans were made, but since I'm actively posting about the starting problems, I'll be optimistic, assume it will start again, and ask about the serpentine tensioner.

Any words of advice about serpentine tensioner replacement?

Two Cadi dealership mechanics have said it's going bad -- it's making a noticeable clacking sound.

Any special tools required? Anything in particular to watch out for?

[chubbyranger]

Tensioner is usually one of the easiest things to do - its one or two bolts and a few curse words. The AC compressor is a whole different animal.

[greg-sls]

I did my tensioner 6 months ago - not too tough as Chubbyranger says. You might consider looking at the idler next to it as well. Put an auto-stethoscope carefully on its hub and listen for more rattling. Again, one bolt for that too.
It sounds like you have a lot of repairs going on your 97...I have notes on compressor change-outs and starter change-outs if you want them (in MS Word).

[wachuku]

Thanks fellas for your responses.

Yes I have much to do with the Cadi at the moment. As for the A/C compressor -- installation, clutch interface, "A/C oil" -- I intend to do some searching and reading before posting any questions. (There seem to be some informative threads about the topic). In light of other new issues, the compressor is now lower on the to-do list.

[Jon in Carlisle]

HI,
I did the tensioner and a new belt last evening on my '97 STS, and it was a 30 minute job. I couldn't believe it.
It is one bolt, 13mm, and the replacement tensioner is a little thicker, so you don't have to screw the bolt in as far as you do taking it out of the original unit.
I put on a new Goodyear gator belt, and it went right into place.
It's a tight squeeze, so I used a two-foot ratchet extension to help maneuver the belt into place, and it went right on.
The tensioner has a peg that goes into a hole next to the bolt mounting hole.
Tighten the bolt to about 35 Ft/lb of torque. It might be 37 or 38, I don't recall exactly, but be careful not to strip the threads out. It's not as tight as you might think. It loosened up quite easily.
I think that's about it.
I didn't have to take anything else out...just had to lift the panel over the headlight up to get a little more light into the work area.
Good luck.
Jon in Carlisle

[tateos]

Originally Posted by greg-sls

I did my tensioner 6 months ago - not too tough as Chubbyranger says. You might consider looking at the idler next to it as well. Put an auto-stethoscope carefully on its hub and listen for more rattling. Again, one bolt for that too.
It sounds like you have a lot of repairs going on your 97...I have notes on compressor change-outs and starter change-outs if you want them (in MS Word).

yes - change them both