How to Replace the Serpentine Belt in a Plymouth Neon

On a Plymouth Neon, there are two drive belts that could be called serpentine belts depending on the accessories they drive under the hood. These belts wind around various pulleys to power the alternator and power steering pump. This information covers a limited model year range from 2000-2005. Because the bolt systems and other setups for the Plymouth Neon can vary, check your owner's documentation for specific information on your model year and engine type.

Instructions

1

Turn off the fan before working on the belts. Since the electric cooling fan can start even when the car is not running, make sure you power it off by unpluging it, while working in the fan area.

2

Jack up the vehicle and support it on stands, using the parking brake if necessary. Never work under a vehicle that is not correctly secured. Remove the drive belt splash shield that protects the belts from the elements.

3

Look for the bolt assembly that holds the belt in place. Both belts have bolt mounted assemblies. The alternator belt generally has a pivot bolt, lock nut and adjustment bolt, where in some cases, you change belt tension by moving the component. Other belt setups include a locking nut and adjustment bolt, where turning the adjustment bolt changes tension on the belt. Look for and identify the system for each of your drive belts.

4

Take notice of how the belt winds around its pulleys and make a detailed belt routing diagram you can use for installing the new belt.

5

Use your wrench to loose the bolt system for the belt and change tension by pivoting or adjusting the bolt to make the belt loose.

6

Slip the old belt off of each pulley and discard it.Use your belt routing diagram to put the new belt onto all pulleys. Make sure the belt is routed correctly and well seated on each pulley.

7

Tighten up the adjustment bolt and replace the bolt assembly to get tension back on the belt.