what is the trick to getting the spring loaded
 

belt tensioner off? i need the thing off, i believe to change the timing belt.

thanks!

Loosen the bolts at the piviot and at the slot, pry the arm back and tighten it.

yeah, i did that. don't i need to get the thing entirely off to change the belt?

Three nuts hold it onto the block, it slips on over studs. Use an inspection mirror to figure out where they are.

oh boy. i need a mirror for this? thanks!

Its not they are hard to reach, its just they are hard to see due to the position. Of course you could take the radiator and the fans out for a clear shot.

i think my last post sounded bad. thanks for the information. i'll take a look tomorrow.

Compress the arm and tighten it. Take the idler pulley off -- one bolt. Release the tension on the arm. You do not have to take the arm off. Don't loose the special oblong washer or put it back on wrong -- there is an indexing tab that locks the oblong washer into the casting.

With the tension off of the arm you can get to the three bolts that hold it on.

There are three hex nuts holding the tensioner assembly to the block.
Do not compress the tensioner yet until you have removed the hidden nut beside the tensioner roller.
Remove the hidden nut first, then compress the tensioner, then remove the other two nuts holding the tensioner assembly.
Then you can pull out the tensioner assembly.

IF you can get to the "hidden" retainer with out releasing the tension on the arm.

ok, just to be sure: do i have to remove this part to replace the belt?

You don't have to, as long as you compress it far enough to leave enough room to work the belt out.

And take the pulley off the end of the arm.

I am a 'veteran' of 6 belt jobs now, let me just say its alot easier to get the old belt off and the new one on by taking the tensioner off. Its only 3 nuts.

Never said NOT taking the whole unit off was easier. Trying to answer a thousand questions. Time to cut bait.

I didnt mean that towards anyone. I was just simply saying in my experience its much easier to just take the entire thing off.

I've seen newbies take the whole thing apart with the spring and arm flying off to hide in dusty corners. Also over compressing the arm so that it covers one of the three studs/nuts and using a pry bar because it's "stuck". Just don't loose the obround washer and put it back on correctly if you do.

ok. i have to change the roller as well. they are all worn. how about just taking the roller off and leaving the rest of the assembly attached? or will that be an even bigger PITA?

It's been my experience that removing the whole assembly is what worked best for me.

Seriously, just take the damned thing off! Its 3 nuts!

You need to hold a bolt on the opposite side anyhow.