How to Replace the Serpentine Belt in a Ford Taurus

A serpentine belt is called such, because it winds or snakes around different accessories in an engine. The Ford Taurus has a true serpentine belt, which runs all of the accessories. It is a ribbed belt with grooves in it. Although Ford recommends checking the belt every 30,000 miles or 24 months, according to some documentation, a serpentine belt on a Ford Taurus can last up to 100,000 miles.

Instructions

1

Find the automatic serpentine belt tensioner. The tensioner pulley has a bolt you will rotate to release tension on the belt.

2

Rotate the tensioner with your 15mm-wrench. For a OHV engine types, you'll rotate the tensioner clockwise; for OHC engine types, you'll want to rotate it counter-clockwise.

3

Slip the old belt off and slowly release the tensioner.

4

Use your memory or a belt routing diagram to put the new belt on. Ford usually includes a belt routing diagram on the fan shroud or elsewhere in the engine compartment. There also may be one in your owner's documentation.

5

Put the new belt on by rotating the tensioner again, then slowly release the tensioner to regain tension on the belt.

6

Make sure the belt is seated correctly on all pulleys and that the ribs on the belt are correctly lined up with the pulley grooves.

7

Run the engine and observe to ensure correct installation.