ok i took off my belt 3.8 2000 windstar came off real easy at alt
now to put this back on is being one big pain in da buttt
i know its lined right just seems when i crank the tensioner doesnt really give me any slack to put it over any pulley


any tips tricks to doing this

ps thanks to this site made my repair quite easy
bad stalling problem after i heard whinning thought it was water pump but thanks to this site and tips lead me to the cam synchro gear BANG ON
this thing is so bad (wasnt as easy as they said to do but almost done):grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes:

ok i took off my belt 3.8 2000 windstar came off real easy at alt
now to put this back on is being one big pain in da buttt
i know its lined right just seems when i crank the tensioner doesnt really give me any slack to put it over any pulley


any tips tricks to doing this

ps thanks to this site made my repair quite easy
bad stalling problem after i heard whinning thought it was water pump but thanks to this site and tips lead me to the cam synchro gear BANG ON
this thing is so bad (wasnt as easy as they said to do but almost done):grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes: :grinyes:

I know some people on this forum get succes to install the belt, without touching the tensioner and this is possible if you use gloves otherwise, go under the passenger side ( I did it without removing the wheel but easier if removed) you will reach the tensioner bolt ( use 13 mm), I'm not sure if it is clockwise or counterclockwise, so remove the tension and ask a helper to pass the belt over the alternator. Just make sure that the serpentine is engage correctly in each pulley of the system before starting the engine, to avoid damage to your new belt.

I know some people on this forum get succes to install the belt, without touching the tensioner and this is possible if you use gloves otherwise, go under the passenger side ( I did it without removing the wheel but easier if removed) you will reach the tensioner bolt ( use 13 mm), I'm not sure if it is clockwise or counterclockwise, so remove the tension and ask a helper to pass the belt over the alternator. Just make sure that the serpentine is engage correctly in each pulley of the system before starting the engine, to avoid damage to your new belt.

trust me ive been under the car jacked up and had the tensionerall the way up on 1 turn of the wrench no luck.
BUT just read that there is a clip u engage to hold the tensioner to rewrench to get it higher

last week we got lucky after a cpl hours of blue smoke lol
ill wait till morning

ps dam hard to find a belt diagram if ya didnt copy the route b4 you take it off

I bought a "belt removal tool" at Autozone for $19.99 and it's saved me hours and countless busted knuckles:

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7EBelt+-+Tool+%28Serpentine%29%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EOEM_PURCHASE %7C%7ENONE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7E141488%7C%7E 3441%7C%7E25149%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E%2419.99%7C%7EFord+ Truck%7C%7EWindstar%7C%7E1998%7C%7ELLT%7C%7E2.0%7C %7ENONE%7C%7EB

It's essentially a long flat bar which you can attach half inch square sockets. It comes with three sizes of open end wrench heads and shallow sockets. I like the open end wrench attachments because you can angle them left, right or down and it gives you a lot of leverage.

It takes litterally a few seconds to get belts on and off with it.

yah open in wrench should work on tens. should be able to pull it up to slip over altanater...are you sure they never give you wrong belt?? if bought it at autozone go to autozone.com and see if part number matches up..good luck...

Had trouble with this myself. Take passenger wheel off. Jack up van. 13 mm box wrench on the tensioner. Crank counter clockwise as far as you can. I wedged a wood block in to hold the tension on the wrench. KEY STEP: MAKE SURE THe BELT is ROUTED PROPERLY. I didn't have the sketch under the hood so I went to the dealer. Route the belt over all accessories except the idler pulley. Give a good tug on the belt where it goes from the P/S pump to the alternator and wrap it around the idler or water pump if easier. Proper routing is a must!

I use no tools ... except to take wipers and cowling off. Then the belt on my '99 is easy simply by hand.