General Auxiliary/serpentine belt tensioner replace method - HELP

[szamat2012a]

Hi, everyone!

Can anyone help me replace the auxiliary/serpentine belt tensioner, perhaps with pictures?

 

[GettinBetter]

Hi, Have you tried YouTube? This sort of thing has been shown quite a few times on there, I've used it myself. Please post your results, or problems.

 

[szamat2012a]

Hi, Have you tried YouTube? This sort of thing has been shown quite a few times on there, I've used it myself. Please post your results, or problems.

Hi! Yes, I tried, with AI, in Italian, I searched everywhere, but there is no specific information available on the internet.

 

[GettinBetter]

Is your search term something like this https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fiat+500+auxiliary+belt+replacement

 

[szamat2012a]

Is your search term something like this https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fiat+500+auxiliary+belt+replacement

For me, the important thing is not replacing the serpentine belt, but replacing its tensioner unit.

 

[GettinBetter]

Not quite as fast as AI but less padding.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fiat+500+auxiliary+belt+tensioner+replacement

There is quite possibly a page on this forum somewhere.

 

[jackwhoo]

Do not rely on AI ......the results are full of errors that if followed could result in huge problems!

 

[GettinBetter]

Do not rely on AI ......the results are full of errors that if followed could result in huge problems!

I have been using Grok for a few months now, (I used to use ChatGPT before) but they are all pretty much rubbish.
They're good for scrapping web site info really fast but critical thinking, forget it. You'll spend the whole day just trying to get it to fix it's own mistakes.

 

[szamat2012a]

Guys, I only used AI to search, I didn't ask it for advice. I'm still no further ahead, because even though you linked to various YouTube search links, there's only one Abarth video, and that didn't help me either.

 

[jackwhoo]

Is this thread following on from the same thread you started this year?

 

[szamat2012a]

I see you don't understand my problem and have no idea how difficult it is to replace the tensioner due to lack of space. I'm a vehicle engineer and my brother is a car mechanic, so assembly and tools are not a problem, but before I start, I thought I'd go over this tensioner replacement process, as there is no information about it anywhere on the internet, and I didn't even get any advice from the Fiat service center (they said they don't usually replace them...). The problem is that there is a gap of about 8-10 mm between the tensioner and the bodywork, so no tool can fit in there. On my car, the screw head is somewhat stripped because someone has already tried to loosen it.

That's why I started this thread, to see if anyone has done this before and knows of any practical solutions, such as how far to lower the engine, what needs to be disassembled, etc. I can try it myself, but I'd rather be prepared.

 

[jackwhoo]

If you and your brother are capable you shouldn't have too much difficulty.

I don't know to reply with suggestions on this thread or your other thread where @bugsymike has already offered suggestions.

 

[jackwhoo]

With right hand engine mount undone the engine can be jacked up,don't break anything lifting engine, then there may be sufficient room to undo and remove the mounting bolt. Or you may have to lower the engine to gain access, don't break anything lowering engine.

 

[jackwhoo]

You are not going to find instructions stating things like "raise engine exactly 22mm to gain access"
Good technician have years of experience of handling things with finesse and how much force to use in different circumstances.

 

[GettinBetter]

I see you don't understand my problem and have no idea how difficult it is to replace the tensioner due to lack of space.....

If you think that's tight, wait till you get to the starter/alternator/aircon...

Perhaps you'd be kind enough to make a video, and put up on YouTube for others?

I know it's nice to get a heads up on the job ahead, but unless people make the effort to create a video, it won't be there.

 

[szamat2012a]

If you think that's tight, wait till you get to the starter/alternator/aircon...

Perhaps you'd be kind enough to make a video, and put up on YouTube for others?

I know it's nice to get a heads up on the job ahead, but unless people make the effort to create a video, it won't be there.

Yes, that's exactly my plan, to make, if not a video, then at least a summary illustrated with pictures. It's just strange that little Fifi has been in production since 2007 and no one has addressed this issue until now. I already replaced the generator once because the casting housing cracked.

 

[jackwhoo]

Many many times the tensioner will have been replaced but those doing so have not felt the need to explain how in the www
You and your brother can be the first

 

[GettinBetter]

I can't help feeling it is accessible through the wheel arch, I removed lots of stuff when I did my starter and alternator. But just can't remember. The alternator is attached to the serpentine, so I must have removed it. Mind you, the OP is talking about the 1.2 so probably slightly different.

 

[FinFiat]

Buy a long 13mm wrench, and I mean as long as you can find. Remove right wheel and the inner fender, then you can reach the tensioner nut with LONG 13mm wrench. Release the tension and remove the belt. Done that several times.

 

[jackwhoo]

And make 100% sure the bolt is a hex .....Fiat love to throw in a few RIBE heads sometimes