2.4 TWIN CAM Serpentine Belt Replacement

[Aegean]

Hey All

I just bought a new serpentine belt to my 4 cyl, Twin Cam, 99 Pontiac Grand AM; the problem is I am not sure if I am supposed to jack up the engine or the replacement is possible with just moving the idler counterclockwise. I have 2 repair manuals, one for 85-00 oldsmobile FWD and other for 95-00 pontiac sunfire. I figured the replacement should be pretty much the same since the engine is a 2.4 twin cam in the manual and neither of the manuals say to move the engine but I did a search on the internet and some people advice on jacking up the engine before replacing the serpentine belt.

What is the proper way to to this replacement? Again, my car is a 4 cylinder, 2.4 twin cam 1999 grand am se.

Thanks for your advice

 

[melsg5]

Something doesnt sound right, you shouldnt have to jack up the engine to replace the belt. Do they mean jack up the car so you can slip the belt onto the bottom pulleys?

 

[Zimgxp]

It might help to jack the car up to get the belt in the crank pulley. You should be able to loosen the tensioner, and do it from the top.