Help changing serpentine belt on 2012 JK

jk12blk

jk12blk

New member
I've searched and found a few articles and youtube clips discussing how to change a serpentine belt on the pentastar motors, but nothing very detailed. I'm curious if any of you have changed your serpentine belt and what tricks or tools, if any, you used to get the job done. I suppose I could take it to the dealer and pay $75, but prefer not to as it appears to be a simple job, yet several people say it's not easy. So I don't know what to believe. The problem is my steering fluid reservoir burped steering fluid all over after installing the AGR ram assist. Everything is set now (air completely out of the system), but the fluid I believe contaminated the serpentine belt and it squeals like a banshee. I have the new belt and I'm ready to go. thanks for any feedback!
 
MTG

MTG

Caught the Bug
Haven't changed mine, but I assume there is a tensioner pulley that you relieve the tension and can slip the belt off. Of course be sure to note the correct path for the belt before removing the old one. Are you sure it is the belt that is squealing and not one of the pulleys?

Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJfylSAQIX4
 
Last edited:
HILLZ

HILLZ

Member
Like MTG said draw your self a pic of the front of the engine (pulley layout) and show which way to route the new belt, should be as easy as putting a spanner onto the idler pulley bolt to lever it and relieve the tension then just slip the old one off and the new one on. I haven't done one on a JK but I have on other cars and never had any dramas.
 
olram30

olram30

Not That Kind of Engineer
Almost all vehicles vehicles have a diagram for the belt. Should be somewhere. I have a serpentine belt tool that's really handy, makes changing them a little easier for me.
 
GCM 2

GCM 2

New member
Most vehicles used to do this for you and was on a sticker somewhere near the fan shroud. Here is my crayon/paint pen drawing for all my future references of the monstrous 3.8L super high out put race motor.

IMG_1271.jpg
 
ttfhell

ttfhell

New member
GCM 2 said:
Most vehicles used to do this for you and was on a sticker somewhere near the fan shroud. Here is my crayon/paint pen drawing for all my future references of the monstrous 3.8L super high out put race motor. <img src="http://wayalife.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=107955"/>
Click to expand...
I'm not going to lie Greg, I'm pretty disappointed to see that coolant stain.
 
olram30

olram30

Not That Kind of Engineer
For 3.8 belt guys in the future, this is going to be the diagram. I like gcm2's better.
 

Attachments

  • 1415144469802.jpg
    1415144469802.jpg
    27.9 KB · Views: 204
jeeeep

jeeeep

Hooked
HILLZ said:
Like MTG said draw your self a pic of the front of the engine (pulley layout) and show which way to route the new belt, should be as easy as putting a spanner onto the idler pulley bolt to lever it and relieve the tension then just slip the old one off and the new one on. I haven't done one on a JK but I have on other cars and never had any dramas.
Click to expand...

It's easy, easier with 2 since you have to hold and remove the belt out from behind the tension bracket but can be done with one hand
 
jk12blk

jk12blk

New member
MTG said:
Haven't changed mine, but I assume there is a tensioner pulley that you relieve the tension and can slip the belt off. Of course be sure to note the correct path for the belt before removing the old one. Are you sure it is the belt that is squealing and not one of the pulleys?

Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJfylSAQIX4
Click to expand...

Thanks MTG. This was the video i viewed earlier too. I'll just give it go. Thanks to everyone else for their responses. Much appreciated! The belt diagrams are very helpful.
 
jk12blk

jk12blk

New member
MTG said:
Haven't changed mine, but I assume there is a tensioner pulley that you relieve the tension and can slip the belt off. Of course be sure to note the correct path for the belt before removing the old one. Are you sure it is the belt that is squealing and not one of the pulleys?

Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJfylSAQIX4
Click to expand...
to answer your question, I'm pretty sure it's the belt. If I spray water on the inner side the belt the squeal goes away. Of course the squeal returns after the water dries. Belt conditioner did nothing either. I'll just replace the belt and do my best to clean the pulleys and see what I get. thanks again.
 
mudmobeeler

mudmobeeler

Caught the Bug
With the belt off, turn you pulleys by hand. You may not hear the squeal but usually if you have a bearing in one going bad you can feel it. Not saying you have a bearing going bad, just a good practice to get into anytime the belts off.
 
jk12blk

jk12blk

New member
turns out this was an easy job. thanks for all the tips. Using a 1/2 breaker bar, it was easy to take the tension off to remove the belt. Then after removing alternator bracket (4 bolts if memory serves), it is easy to slip out the old belt and install the new belt. I actually had a buddy help me as one person held the breaker bar while the other put on the belt. Best part about it is the new belt fixed my problem. Funny how a contaminated belt can squeal so loud. :beer:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom