serpentine problem

pondo · Post by **pondo** » 27 May 2010, 09:56

I replaced my alternator on my 98 v70. Every thing went well and its all put back together. For the life of me i cant get my serpentine belt back on. Don't know if I'm tired or stupid. Is there any tricks that I'm not thinking of. Would it help if i loosen the bolts on the power steering pump to give me a little play. I feel like an idiot. I can take an alternator out but i can't put the belt back.

Post by **bigdaddylee82** » 27 May 2010, 10:51

1/2" drive breaker bar or ratchet in the "square" hole in the tensioner, turn and hold ratchet to relieve tension, and put the belt on. That's how it works on an 850 anyway, can't imagine it being much different.

Are you routing the belt properly?

- Lee

pondo · Post by **pondo** » 27 May 2010, 11:42

The routing is right. The tensioner is maxed out. Just can't get the belt to slip over any pulley. Is there a sertain pulley you need to do last?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 27 May 2010, 18:03

Is it "close" or is it a mile off?

There are two different routings for the belt and the belts are different lengths.

Either one will work but it needs to be routed correctly.

...Lee

fast850 · Post by **fast850** » 27 May 2010, 18:38

I always go for the power steering pump last because it is the easiest to work on. I always thought the OEM tensioner accepted 3/4" drive(some after markets accept 3/8".... great) and I could never get one to fit between the strut tower( or what ever is in the way) and the tensioner so I made a tool that works pretty well. You can see it here.

http://volvoforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=38396 It's at the very bottom of my second post. And the Cam locking tool works well too and easy to make out of Home depot metal, if you need one.

One belt, I remember, seems to get hung up on the Oil pressure relief valve that is just below the crank pulley, It might be the timing belt but It could be the serpentine.

EDIT: just remembered it the timing belt that just fits between the harmonic balancer and th oil pressure relief valve.

Good luck, I always dread changing mine.

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 27 May 2010, 18:51

here goes a link to a pdf its very compleate

cheers !

http://volvospeed.com/Repair/850_serp.pdf

TIKIFULWOOD · Post by **TIKIFULWOOD** » 27 May 2010, 19:46

I had this issue when I did the timing belt. Tried two different length belts and all manner of routing suggestions. Result, old belt falling to bit's and still on the car. Does the tensioner need to go past it's locking position (by locking, I mean where you can insert a drill etc to hold it in place) to achieve this task.

volvomileage · Post by **volvomileage** » 27 May 2010, 20:20

when i did mine, if i recall i went to the locking pos, slipped the belt and released and it worked

to be honest with the right tools its easy if you d ont have a 3/4" x 3/4" steel block or a tool to slip it the dogs ear its a PITA
the previous mechanic who changed the belt wrestled for about 45 min to change the belt and install a new one.

with the proper tools and the pdf it took me about 15 min, and no swearing.!!

here's a helpfull and inexpensise purchase

http://cgi.ebay.ca/Volvo-850-V70-Serpen ... 45eb7a5394

best of luck !

claymore850 · Post by **claymore850** » 27 May 2010, 21:04

Did you lock your belt tensioner with a small drill???? Its not necessary to loose steering pump bolts...To help with the belt routing..remember the flat side of the belt, always touch the face of the idler and tensioner.... the grooved side has to touch the pulleys..

850tech · Post by **850tech** » 27 May 2010, 21:30

The P/S pully is the easiest to work with, but if the belt is just a bit to tight you may have better luck going to the idler last as there is no ridge on the sides to clear.