I had to change out the serpentine belt tensioner pulley on SWMBO's '97 Cutlass with transverse V6 engine today, the bearing froze up and the heat melted it right of the plastic pulley. Actually, I yanked the pulley, took it home and resurrected it enough to be able to return and put it back in the car for the 10 mile trip home. Yeah, it was Saturday night, the kid had the car out, and it was stranded in a town with a no overnite parking ordinance ..... and unbendable cops.
So, it was cheaper than a tow to stick the old pulley in my lathe, bore it out and turn a spacer from a bit of PVC pipe so I could press the bearing back in after I'd popped its shields and lubed it into turning again.
While putting in a brand new pulley today I noticed that the belt, which still appears to be in pretty good shape, encircles the RH side motor mount. (Unless I'm seeing things wrong.....) That will make changing the belt a lot more difficult, it looks like it would take supporting the engine and busting loose quite a few good sized fasteners. Probably enough to discourage a one time DIY learning experience.
Am I missing something here?
Anyone know the flat rate labor time for a belt change on this car?
Thanks guys,