Replacing Accessory Belt (Zetec)

Accessory belts wear out, but they're inexpensive and easy to replace.

Time Required:
15-30 minutes

Tools Needed:

  • Jack
  • jackstands
  • 15mm wrench
  • socket set

    Procedure:

  • Open the hood.
  • Raise and support the front of the vehicle
  • Under the car, use a socket set to remove the belt splash guard from the passenger side.
  • Find the belt tensioner. It's a small pulley (8) below the alternator (1) on a spring loaded pivot.
  • With the palm of your hand, push firmly upward on the tensioner pulley. If that does not work, get on the 15mm nut in the center of the pulley with a wrench for leverage. Acting like you're "tightening" this nut will provide the correct direction of movement to release belt tension.
  • The belt will loosen. While still pushing on the tensioner pulley, unloop the belt from the crank pulley (6) and/or A/C pulley (5). They're the two lower-most pullies.
  • Remove pressure from tensioner pulley
  • From above the engine or below, remove the belt.
  • Re-route new belt as shown in diagram below. Leave only the lower 2 pullies (A/C and crank) out of the loop.
  • Press the tensioner upwards again
  • While holding the tensioner, re-loop the new belt over the A/C and Crank pullies.
  • Remove pressure from tensioner pulley

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