General Discussion

Serpentine belt installation for a 1997 Buick LeSabre 3.8 V6 with side (left as you're looking at the engine ) mounted belt.

no mechanic — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 05:43:54 GMT

Hi,

Can anyone tell me how to mount a serpentine belt for the car in the subject line? About 3-4 years ago, an uncle of mine and I had to install this belt because the tensioning pully seized. At the time we had no idea how to sequence the belt and our only reference was his car which has the exact same engine. We were drinking a few beers and after a couple of hours we figured it out.

Now, this time the belt was very near failure and needed to be replaced again. The box I bought the belt in had a diagram of the belt sequence.....piece of cake right? WRONG!! Again I went to my Uncle's house because it is simply easier to work on a car there. Here is the problem I hope someone can help me out with..........

Between the drive pully and the A/C compressor, there are 2 engine mount brackets. The belt has to run below the lower bracket from the drive pully to the A/C pully. Then from the A/C pully it runs to the alternater, down to the hydraulic pump, up and over top the tension pully, then curves around the water pump pully and completes the trip runnig back down to the drive pully.

Here's the problem......we can't figure out how to get one side of the belt under the bottom bracket and the other side of the belt to go above the bottom bracket but below the top bracket. It would seem the only way to accomplish this is to remove one or both engine brackets....something I'm very reluctant to do. Further, I know for damn sure we did it once before (replace the belt).......I can't do anything sober!

There has got to be a "trick" doing this. If anyone can help me figure out this problem, I would be extremely grateful.

If you need to ask further questions.....actually I don't know how this site works, please do.

Thank you to anyone who can assist me.

Once again, we did NOT remove the engine bracket(s) the last time we did this.

Thanks,

Gene

Thank You!

boots — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 02:20:51 GMT

Just wanted to say Thank You.You guy's saved me a bundle on getting my a/c fixed with your tutorial on troubleshooting a/c problems.

Regards,Blake

Car maintenance education for your teens

lizgizmo — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 17:29:20 GMT

Over the holiday my daughter had a slight car-crisis AKA flat tire. Which served as a casual wake up call to teach her some basic "car education". How to change the tire was lesson number 1... LOL.

I imagine lesson number 2 will be charging the battery. I also found some great tips for conserving gas and adopting environmentally-friend driving habits. You might want to share with your kids at carfunfootprint.com.

We did a demonstration last night of the difference in speed on her mileage and she couldn't believe it. So that was at least impressive to her. And hopefully helps her avoid tickets as well.

Preserving weather stripping

MikeS — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 00:32:39 GMT

I just bought a 1994 Ninety Eight in showroom condition. I want to keep it that way. In the owner's manual it says something about preserving the weather stripping by applying dielectric grease. I'll go back and read it again, but in the meantime, just what is the wisdom of applying something to the weather stripping? Something that might preserve the rubber and reduce the wear from friction.

I know WD-40 would work since it works for everything, but I'd bet there's something better. Or maybe just leave it alone & keep it clean?

Anybody have any thoughts on preserving weather stripping?

Thanks,

Mike

Before applying for car loan

Stellathomas — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 10:47:26 GMT

Now a days loans have become so common and everybody has them we no longer fear them. However car loans, or any loan for that matter, are potentially dangerous products, that could ruin your financial health. If people understood loans before they signed them, maybe there would be less bankruptcies and foreclosures.

-----------------

Stellathomas

Car Loans

adjusting rear drum brakes, on 1996 saturn

knuteguns — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 00:08:12 GMT

does any one know how to adjust rear brakes on a 1996 saturn s.w.

town cars power seat

underdog — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 11:41:37 GMT

I just purchased a 2001 town car and the drivers power seat does not operate, where would i start on diagnosing the problem. Thanks, not plane, nor bird, or even frog, just little old me , underdog

installation of passenger mirror

badhabits6262 — Wed, 15 Mar 2006 20:14:54 GMT

I need to replace the rh mirror on my 2000 pontiac grand am se. I wanted to find out if someone could walk me through the process of the dismantling and reassembly of the mirror ?

2002 Toyota Sienna

ccjd80 — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 15:28:04 GMT

Back door handle has broken. Not sure how to remove it. Can't remove door panel from inside, can't seem to remove handle from outside.

Trouble with low beams

Horse53 — Fri, 17 Mar 2006 22:04:00 GMT

Hello, I have a '97 Ply Grand Voyager. Low beams have seem to "went out", that is I don't have low beams. I have running lights and high beams. Fuses are good I can feel the relays click but no low beams. Anyone have any thoughts or suggestion? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

pontiac/grand prix/1999/ key will not come out

bud — Mon, 20 Mar 2006 11:37:56 GMT

the key will not come out of the car when you turn it off.

can anybody help.

1989 Toyota camry starter problems

ALC — Thu, 23 Mar 2006 04:26:28 GMT

Hi Iam having trouble with the starter i change it and it's still not working right it turns on sometimes or with a bye pass what could it be the soleniod or the wire that connet to the starter plug. please help

thank you

repacetransmission in 96chevymonte corlo 3.1

bboy32 — Tue, 04 Jul 2006 17:48:20 GMT

what is the best wat to take the tranout doing it yourself?

Ford Escort Air Conditioner Troubleshooting

crussell — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 16:05:42 GMT

Quick question. A/C pumping super hot air into car, system fully serviced and at 150 psi. Fuse is brand new. Compressor clutch doesn't engage with car running. Any suggestions?

1993 olds achiva 6 cyl

auto_56 — Tue, 08 Aug 2006 21:38:51 GMT

I need to know the oil capacity for this car and engine displacement

no sticker or owners manual

Do I need new Shocks?

flipper — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 15:48:10 GMT

I have a 2004 Pointiac Grand Am, it has 51,000miles, and I did bought it used. Lately when I go over speed bumbs when it goes over and its the floor, the first set of wheels, it sounds like theres something rubbing agains something else. Like metal rubbing against metal. When I make a turn, theres some rattling going one, like once again, metal hitting metal. I've never experienced this before and I'm not quite sure. It sounds fine in the back. Help? Anyone?

Thanks.

FORD ESCAPE

DIZZY ME — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 20:53:32 GMT

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT TOOLS ,AND WHAT SIZE. I WILL NEED TO CHANGE THE MOTOR MOUNT CLOSE TO THE FIRE WALL, ON A 2002 FORD ESCAPE??

hydrolic clutch for 94 toyota corolla

cormac — Sun, 08 Oct 2006 22:07:35 GMT

the previous owner had the seals replaced not even six months ago; even after that every once in a while the trans. would grind going into third. I was trying to save the money to get it adjusted but now its acting like the seals are going out again. when you put it in R then shift into first it will lock up and you wont be able to get it into first. you have to put it in N let off the clutch then put it in F. I have also noticed that when you push the clutch in and have it in first if you dont have the brake pressed the car will move forward. So someone help me whats wrong bad seals or desperate need for adjustment? and is it possible for me to do it myself?

stock stereo

camaro — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 00:08:53 GMT

Does anyone know how to unlock the stock stereo system for a 2000 chevy camaro? I lost my owners manual.

changing headlight on 1999 geo metro

billy d — Thu, 09 Nov 2006 19:06:11 GMT

how do i change a headlight on a 1999 chevrolet geo metro?

BEST NEW MOVIE!!!

luck4mike — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 02:38:24 GMT

Matt Lillard finally grows up. In his latest film the Groomsmen we get to see a mature side to him. He plays the father role in this movie weird right. Well the movie also stars Edward Burns, John Leguizamo, Donal Logue, Jay Mohr, and Brittany Murphy. I got a chance to see this movie @ UMGD. The movie is out already so go pick up a copy or check it out at www.thegroomsmen.com

1993 mercury tracer

Vickinilla — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 04:55:17 GMT

fuel cutoff. where can I fund the button to reset it?

02 Impala Question

Benat501 — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 15:04:02 GMT

Anyone have any ideas on the following?

Car engine runs fine, trans switches gears excellent.

When driving, it you stomp on the gas and it gets up to 3000 rpm, it jerks/hesitates violently. Doesn't do it in gear with the brake on. doesn't do it if your easy on the pedel.

Anyone know of an electronic component that would be causing such a problem?

ben.posuniak@vector-cantech.com

Mini Cooper

kwpinecity — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:27:32 GMT

Can anyone tell me how the 2005 Mini Cooper handles in snow. I live in upstate NY and would love to own one. I have wanted one forever, but will not commit until I know. I have a very reliable Chev Cavilier that is super in many inches of snow. Would I be making a terrible mistake if I bought this 2005 Mini that I hve my eye on?

eperks.com login code?

dia9 — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 22:39:24 GMT

if you have an access code to get in to the site, please provide here.

David
Trenton Group