How do you change an alternator belt on a 2002 ford zx2?

Answer 1

You don't have an alternator belt, it is called a serpentine belt. It is very easy to change on the Z-tec engine, you just loosen up the tensioner pully bolt (turn it with a wrench) and the belt will come right off. look on the belt diagram sticker on the engine if you don't know where the tensioner pully is.

They don't have a belt diagram sticker on this vehicle so take care to remember how belt is put on or track down diagram on line, also much easier to install if raised in the air since tensioner is on bottom of vehicle

Steps to Replace 2003 ZX2 Serpetine Belt:

Make sure you need to replace the belt. My factory manual says cracks in the Vs is okay. Only missing chunks indicate the belt should be replaced.

Before removing the old belt, make sure you have a diagram. It would take a long time to figure it out from scratch. (Best I can tell, there's a difference between early and late ZX2s. Maybe Escort too.)

Remove the left wheel and remove the splash shield.

Use a 13mm wrench on the bolt at the center of the tensioner pulley and turn the tensioner clockwise to take tension off the belt and remove the old belt.

String the new belt over all pulleys except for the water pump. (A straightened coat hanger wire with a hook bent on the end is a good tool to get the belt positioned.)

The final belt routing requires that the wrench that is turning the tensioner clockwise be held in the wheel well as the belt is positioned over the water pump from under the hood. An extra person would be best, but I used a vise-grip to block the wrench while I went under the hood.

Not a bad task. Most of my time was spent deciding that I had to remove the wheel.