# Replacing Serpentine Belt **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 27, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242 "2012-06-27T18:36:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MikeBennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeBennett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeBennett)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/1 "2012-06-27T18:36:03Z")
I took my car into the repair shop to have a free oil change done (normally I do those myself). They told me my serpentine belt is going bad and gave me an estimate for $123 to have it replaced. I bought one from AutoZone for $23 and am looking to replace it myself. I had AutoZone print out the directions to replace it, one set describes loosening the tensioner, slipping off the old belt, and sliding the new belt on, presto! The other method describes removing the engine cover, a valve cover, some electrical wiring, etc. I’m not sure which engine I have to know which instructions to follow. Anyone has a 2003 Matrix SRX 1.8L with ‘y’ as the 5th letter in the VIN? Or any advice on replacing the serpentine belt? Is it something I should try or could I completely screw up my car’s engine? ---
**Author:** ![edb1961](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/edb1961/32/122_2.png) [@edb1961](https://community.cartalk.com/u/edb1961)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 7:14pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/2 "2012-06-27T19:14:36Z")
I have a similar situation with my 2006 Sienna. I also found two sets of directions, it turns out there are two belts on the Sienna, one for the AC/alternator and another for the power steering. The power steering belt is replaced by removing the wheel and the inner fender lining. Look real close to see if the Matrix has the same arrangement. Ed B. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/3 "2012-06-27T19:52:52Z")
A few suggestions; Have a friend help. You’ll need a friend to hold the tensioner back while you wrap the belt on the pulleys. Take the time to remove the wheel and plastic fender apron. It’ll be much easier to route the belt. The tensioner requires a good deal of pull. Pull gently and do not keep pulling when the movement stops. You do not want to break the tensioner bolt or you’ll be replacing the whole unit. Pick up a good qulality tensioner wrench. It should be about $20. It’ll have the necessary length/leverage, and it’ll be flat to get between the bolt and the other junk. Sincere best. This is a good DIY project. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/4 "2012-06-27T20:50:54Z")
Study how the old belt is routed before you remove it. Perhaps even take a picture…See if you can move the tensioner pulley with the tools you have before you buy the special wrench…There should be a sticker showing the belt routing under the hood… ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Marc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@Big\_Marc](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Big_Marc)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/5 "2012-06-27T21:11:04Z")
car has 1 belt ps small hands come in handy. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/6 "2012-06-27T21:18:15Z")
Search “TSB EG-021-07” and you’ll find a bulletin with instructions for both engines. Check your engine label under the hood to see which engine your car has. ---
**Author:** ![MikeBennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MikeBennett](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeBennett)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 9:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/7 "2012-06-27T21:50:18Z")
Nevada\_545 that is helpful… I think I have the 2ZZ-GE… so I’m confused on step 3, B, b - “Disconnect the pressure sensor connector.” There isn’t a picture that shows what is so I’m not sure where that piece is located. Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 10:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/8 "2012-06-27T22:11:00Z")
I haven’t used mine much, but when I need to remove the belt from a spring tensioned idler pulley, I prefer to use one of these toys\*: > **[Serpentine Belt Tool Kit](https://www.harborfreight.com/serpentine-belt-tool-kit-66344.html)** > > This tool pays for itself ten times over the first time you use it to replace your serpentine belt. The serpentine belt tool kit makes it easy to precisely position idler pulleys and get belts set to the perfect tension. It makes the job pretty easy. \*Sounds like a DosXX beer commercial, doesn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/9 "2012-06-27T22:42:19Z")
That’s exactly what they all look like. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 11:36pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/10 "2012-06-27T23:36:56Z")
MikeBennett; I think it is the A/C pressure sensor, the next step is to loosen the A/C line brackets. ---
**Author:** ![FordMan1959](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ea666f/32.png) [@FordMan1959](https://community.cartalk.com/u/FordMan1959)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2012, 11:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/11 "2012-06-27T23:46:54Z")
Depending on the location of your tensioner you may be able to use either a 3/8" or 1/2" drive ratchet for moving the tensioner. That’s what I always use on my cars. I also keep my old belt in the trunk for emergency use. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/12 "2012-06-28T02:26:59Z")
On my Pontiac I was going to change the belt but when I released the tension after the belt was disconnected, there was no room to remove the ratchet and put the belt on. I just had it put on for $30 and a half hour wait. I might have to pick up one of those tools or maybe just weld one up. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2012, 4:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/replacing-serpentine-belt/73242/13 "2012-06-28T04:51:54Z")
“Study how the old belt is routed before you remove it. Perhaps even take a picture.” There might be a diagram on the radiator bracket or another open space under the hood. More than one of my cars has an illustration of serpentine belt routing.