Re: how to release belt tensioner???
Hi Guys,
I am new owner of an '04 Crossfire. I bought a new serpentine belt to keep in the car as a spare or until the original needs replaced. With 22K on it, the belt seems to be in good shape yet.
After reading this thread, I couldn't believe all the posting about releasing tension on this belt that seems so easy when looking at it. This is my first FOREIGN built car so I figured I better check my self. That pulley bolt head size is a T50H bit. Actually I refer to it as a T50 Tamper Proof bit. Turning the bolt clockwise only caused the belt to be tighter. Turning the bolt counter-clockwise only loosened the bolt. I saw no jam nut as previous mentioned.
After further investigation with a mirror I found the answer. There is a protruding hex casted into the tensioner just below the belt where you can't see it. New one on me! Using a deep 17mm socket and ratchet, the tensioner can moved. The longer the ratchet handle, the better. No pry bars needed.
Did MB use more than one type of tensioner on this engine?
Here is a pic of what I found on mine to help others. James
TENSION2.jpg
TENSION4.jpg
Last edited by James1549; Jun 12, 2008 at 06:51 PM.