Accessory Drive Belts 

Accessory Drive Belts, Information

Note: When a drive belt is replaced or reinstalled after a service procedure, the drive belt does not fully seat into pulley grooves until engine has run for several minutes.

Note: The drive belt tensioner arm should rotate freely without binding.

Taurus, Sable vehicles are equipped with V-ribbed serpentine drive belts:

• To ensure maximum life, replacement drive belts should be of the same type as originally installed.
• The automatic drive belt tensioners will not require any tension adjustment for the life of the drive belt.
• The 3.4L SHO engine is equipped with a separate water pump drive belt located on the rear of the LH cylinder head.

• at 160,000 km (100,000 miles).
• then every 24,140 km (15,000 miles) thereafter.

Drive belt chirp is a regularly occurring chirping noise that occurs due to:

• pulley misalignment.
• excessive pulley runout.

To correct drive belt chirp:

• determine the area where the noise occurs.
• check each of the pulleys in that area with a straightedge to the crankshaft pulley.
• look for the accessory pulley to be out of position in the fore/aft direction or at an angle to the straightedge.

• engine start-up.
• rapid engine acceleration.
• A/C clutch engagement.

• if A/C compressor is damaged.
• if any of the accessories are damaged, have a worn or damaged bearing or internal torsional resistance above normal for any reason. All of the accessories should be rotatable by hand in the unloaded condition. If any are not, the accessory should be inspected.
• if fluids get on the drive belt. This would include power steering fluid, engine coolant, engine oil and air conditioning system lubricant.
• If fluids get on the drive belt during service, clean the drive belt with soap and water. Thoroughly rinse with clean water. The drive belt does not have to be replaced if no apparent damage has occurred.
• if the drive belt is too long. This will allow the drive belt tensioner arm to go all the way to tensioner arm travel stop under certain load conditions. This would remove tension from drive belt. If the drive belt tensioner is resting on the stop, replace the drive belt.
• if the drive belt tensioner is worn or damaged.

Drive Belt Wear Indicator

Note: The drive belt tensioner wear indicator mark inspection is done with the engine OFF.

Automatic drive belt tensioners are spring-loaded devices which set and maintain the drive belt tension. The drive belt should not require tension adjustment for the life of the drive belt. Automatic drive belt tensioners have drive belt wear indicator marks. If the indicator mark is not between the MIN and MAX marks, the drive belt is worn or an incorrect drive belt has been installed.

Automatic drive belt tensioners do not have to be removed to remove a drive belt. To remove a drive belt, rotate the drive belt tensioner away from the drive belt.
 

Drive Belt Wear Indicator Marks

If the indicator marks are difficult to see, locate the tab on the drive belt tensioner face plate. The tab should be approximately between the stops.
 

Serpentine Drive Belt Replacement

WARNING: IF EQUIPPED, DO NOT ALLOW DRIVE BELT TENSIONER TO SNAP BACK AS DAMAGE TO DRIVE BELT TENSIONER OR PERSONAL INJURY COULD RESULT.

Note: Minor cracks in the V-grooved portion of the serpentine drive belt are considered normal and acceptable. If the drive belt has chunks missing from the ribs, the drive belt should be replaced.

Note: Conditions requiring drive belt replacement are excessive wear, rib chunk-out, severe glazing, frayed cords or other conditions. Replace any drive belt exhibiting any of these conditions.

Note: When installing drive belt on pulley, make sure that all V-grooves make proper contact with pulleys.

Removal

1. Raise vehicle on hoist.
 
2. WARNING: USE CAUTION WHEN REMOVING OR INSTALLING DRIVE BELT TO MAKE SURE WRENCH DOES NOT SLIP FROMDRIVE BELT TENSIONER OR POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO DRIVE BELT TENSIONER AND DRIVE BELT MAY OCCUR.

Using a 3/8 inch ratchet on the lifting lug, rotate drive belt tensioner counterclockwise (upward) and engage spring keeper. Remove drive belt from drive belt tensioner.
 
3. Lower vehicle.
 
4. Remove drive belt.
 

Installation

1. Install drive belt over all pulleys (except drive belt tensioner).
 
2. Raise vehicle on hoist.
 
3. Rotate drive belt tensioner , as described under Removal procedure and install drive belt over drive belt tensioner pulley. Make sure all V-grooves make proper contact with pulleys. Make sure the spring keeper is released or improper belt tension will occur.
 

Pulley Routing--Accessory Drive Belt, 3.4L SHO

 

Item	Part Number	Description
1	3A733	Power Steering Pump Pulley
2	6B217 (RH)	Idler Pulley
3	19703	A/C Compressor
4	8620	Drive Belt
5	6312	Crankshaft Pulley
6	6B209	Drive Belt Tensioner
7	10346	Generator
8	6B217 (LH)	Idler Pulley
9	6B217 (Center)	Idler Pulley

 

Drive Belt, Water Pump

Removal

1. Rotate drive belt tensioner clockwise by hand and remove drive belt from drive belt tensioner .
 
2. Remove drive belt from water pump drive pulley and water pump pulley.
 

Installation

1. Position drive belt onto water pump drive pulley and water pump pulley.
 
2. Rotate drive belt tensioner clockwise by hand and install drive belt over top of drive belt tensioner pulley. Make sure all V-grooves make proper contact with pulleys.
 

Pulley Routing--Water Pump Drive Belt

 

Item	Part Number	Description
1	6B209	Drive Belt Tensioner
2	6A312	Crankshaft Pulley
3	8501	Water Pump
4	8620	Drive Belt

 

Automatic Drive Belt Tensioner

Removal and Installation

1. Remove serpentine drive belt as described.
 
2. Remove drive belt tensioner retaining bolt and drive belt tensioner from generator bracket.
 
3. To install, reverse Removal procedure. Tighten drive belt tensioner retaining bolt to 52-78 N-m (39-57 lb-ft).

 

Item	Part Number	Description
1	10A313	Generator Bracket
2	6010	Cylinder Blocks
3	6019	Engine Front Cover
4	6B209	Drive Belt Tensioner
5	6B222	Drive Belt Tensioner Shaft
A	--	Tighten to 52-78 N-m (39-57 Lb-Ft)