[Linas]

Ok...so i'm driving and it just slashed. The engine is rebuild on my 1989 cadillac allante, but I guess no one ever changed the Serpentine belt, so it was time for it to happen. Since i like fixing and learning about cars myself, I thought i'd try and fix this one, but so far i've spend 3 days next to my car, practically with no sleep, and can't figure it out. How do i release the tension, so I can have enough space to put on my new serpentine belt?? Someone told me I need to just use a regular wrench, and there'll be a bolt next to alternator, which will make the alternator go down or up, thus letting me put the belt on. But i practically took out all of the bolts and nothing happened. If anyone has any experience on changing serpentine belts, maybe someone can tell me, how to loosen the tension, so I can put it on, and then tighten it again.

thanks! (the faster the better, and of course more appreciated)

 

[snaggog]

You need a half inch socket wrench (wrench only, no socket) to insert in the tension device (located between the power steering pump and the alternator). Once inerted, pull wrench handle toward the front of the car to release tension on the serpentine belt. May require two people to remove the belt - one to release tension and another to remove the belt. Same steps to install the new belt.

 

[Linas]

thanks for that. Over the period that i posted this and now, I finally found an online manual, which said what to do an all. So i just used a big wrench I had, and just moved the tension pulley towards the front of the car. I finally came to the conclusion that the bastards sold me the wrong sized belt. Because I was still short like half an inch. I got it from an "advanced auto parts" store. Basically I went to the store, and asked them for a diagram that comes with that belt, and it had 8 pulleys and shorter length.. So basically I need a different belt (my car has only 7 pulleys, but longer distances). Weird huh.. Figure that store would send me the right belt.. Or maybe my car is special, because they say for my make and model, 1989 cady allante, there's only one option, so the belt must fit... I'll look around for an authorized dealership, and try to get a belt from them, unless anyone know a website for a good place like that.


Anyways, thanks!

 

[carnut]

Be aware that an 88 belt is longer because it has a smog pump. the 89 does not. Also it is rare for a belt to shred. Usually pulleys are misaligned, bolts are backed out or something came in contact with the belt. once the belt is on, look very closely for anything that might touch the belt or cause it to be misaligned and correct that issue. Otherwise history will repeat itself!

 

[Bob Rich]

As carnut stated, these belts will survive well over 100,000 miles. If the belt actually shredded, one of the driven pullys has seized or a belt driven device is failing.

 

[Linas]

Thanks for all your advice guys. So I got the right size from Autozone, since Advanced didn't have it. It was a 5 minute job to put it on. I start it and i still hear the squelling, and a bit of burning. I look and the alternator is not turning. So that really freaked me out. I turn the car off and on again, and it's working fine. Just to be sure I drove a lap around my appartment buildings. Just by the time I'm pulling back in, alternator stops running again, and i hear the squeel and the burn. The belt snapped, because of too much heat by alternator not functioning, I guess that's what happened the first time. Luckily I was 10 feet away from my parking spot, so I just put it there. I'm getting another belt from Autozone, it's only 17 bucks. But what do i do about my alternator I do not know. I dont know what caused it to stop working the first time, then start, and then stop again...

 

[Bob Rich]

The bearings in your alternator have died. The entire alternator should be replaced, as the rotor has probably contacted the stator. The early electronics used on these cars are very suceptable to electrical noise. Many owners have reported problems after replacing alternators with non-GM units. The correct ACDelco part for your Allante is 334-2317.

 

[carnut]

I agree with BOB RICH. Use ONLY a GM rebuilt rated at 120 amps. Anything else and you're in for problems. Just thank God thats the easiest thing on an Allante to replace! Be very careful with reattaching all the ground wires on the stud upon reassembly, make sure they are shiny clean and have a star washer securing them. Allantes require very good grounds to function consistantly.

 

[Kcryan]

See if anyone in your town/city rebuilds them.