Volvo Belt Tensioner- dumb question

[BRICH1260]

Guys, need to confirm something, before I break it. I need to replace the serpentine belt on my 5.7 GXI-J. I know where the tensioner is, my question is what is the correct proceedure to retract or to slacken the tensioner to allow me to remove the old belt and replace it with the new. Do I put a wrench on the exposed pulley nut and turn or is there some other method that I am not seeing. My older Volvo engine had a 3/8 square hole where you placed a ratched drive and turned. With this new style, it is not as obvious and I dont want to be torqueing something that is not made to be torqued. Need to get it done by tomorrow morning, can anybody help?

 

[Scott Danforth]

usually if there is not the 3/8" or 1/2" square, there is a lug to put a wrench on.

 

[BRICH1260]

There is an exposed nut in the middle of the pulley that seems to be the most obvious point, just dont want to torque the nut if it`s not made to be torqued.

 

[skydiveD30571]

It is made to me torqued. That's the nut you loosen to release the tensioner, and tighten to lock the tensioner in place.

 

[Thalasso]

Wrong in most responses. There is a bolt head on the end of the tensioner. Put the appropriate socket or box end wrench on it and apply pressure until it turns enough to get the belt off. Do the opposite for applying the belt

 

[skydiveD30571]

Wrong? There were 2 responses and both seem to match what you said...how are they wrong? I've changed the belt on my GL-H which is the same setup so I'm aware how it works. I'm sure Scott has done it many times as well.

 

[Thalasso]

Wrong? There were 2 responses and both seem to match what you said...how are they wrong? I've changed the belt on my GL-H which is the same setup so I'm aware how it works. I'm sure Scott has done it many times as well.

Maybe i read those 2 responses (3&4) incorrectly. I interpreted them to say you remove the tensioner

 

[skydiveD30571]

My apologies for using the phrase "release the tensioner". I meant releasing it from it's extended (tight) position.

 

[Thalasso]

My apologies for using the phrase "release the tensioner". I meant releasing it from it's extended (tight) position.

it's all cool. Maybe i need to take a reading comprehension course.:lol:

 

[jerryjerry05]

They sell a tool, a belt tension removal tool.
It comes with a long handle and assorted sockets.
There is a 12/13mm or 1/2-9/16 bolt head in the middle of the tensioner.
Or use a breaker bar and the appropriate socket.
Easy job.
The tool was 29$ and well worth the $
Made the job so much easier.

 

[BRICH1260]

Thanks for all the help guys. Come to find out my tensioner was locked, the spring frozen, which is apparently why it did not appear to want to move easily. I ended up having to replace the tensioner unit with new. Once I did that, it rotated easily with a wrench applied to the exposed pulley nut and took the new belt.