Belt tensioner on 2004 Silverado, 5.3 liter

[Hookmaster]

Does anyone know which pulley this is? Does it say in the manual? I want to change the serpentine belt before the opener trip.

[Scott K]

The top left is the acc drive belt tensioner

[Shack]

There should also be a diagram of the belt routing on the inside/under side of the hood. It will be a white sticker and it will point out the tentioner.

You can look at the pulleys and there should be two smaller ones. The smaller one 3-4", with an arm on the back that attaches it to the block is the tentioner. If I remember correctly, it is on the right side (as you are sitting in the drivers seat) of the eng, but do not quote me.

Use a tool bar designed for moving tentioner, that or a breaker bar and socket. Pry the bar away from the belt ride side of the pulley, which is most time counter clock wise. If it will not budge, try the other direction.

Good luck!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Make sure you at least check (or replace if cracked) the a/c belt while your at it. I had a few of these with no a/c last summer and a broken belt was the problem!

[Shack]

I just thought of something, being a Chevy, the serp. belt diagram might be on the core support of the radiator. Open hood and look down where hood meets the front grill, you know.

Ya like airjer said, check that a/c belt over nice. I think it should be replaced about every 50,000 or so, for good measure.

Good luck.

[jwhjr]

What's the best way to get at the a/c belt, from the top or from the bottom? I'm planning on replacing both soon.

[Jeremy airjer W]

After you get the main serp belt off you can get at it from the top.

[jwhjr]

Thanks airjer.

[Hookmaster]

So this has a separate AC belt? I will be sure to replace both since I'm at it. Thanks for the heads up. Is there a trick for removing/installing the AC belt? I usually get my belts at NAPA but haven't replaced any for several years. What is a good brand?

[Jeremy airjer W]

When they moved the a/c compressor from the top left to the bottom right they decided to run it off its own belt. Once you get the air snorkel off and the main belt off you will see the a/c compressor and its belt. It will have its own automatic tensioner just like the main belt except its smaller and cuter.

[Hookmaster]

Thanks Airjer. Any advice on brand of belt. Last time I think I used Gates.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Cant go wrong with gates. we have pretty good luck with the belts from NAPA as long as its not a Ford.