How do you replace the serpentine belt on a 2001 Chevy Prism?

Answer 1

First make a sketch of how the belt is routed over and under the pulleys. As you face the engine from the passenger side of the vehicle, look toward the firewall side of the engine for a pulley mounted on an "arm". This is the tensioner for the belt. On this arm is a 3/4" nut welded to it. Turn it clockwise toward the front of the car and the arm & pulley should swing enough for the belt to be pulled off. Replacing the belt is tricky because the new belt will be stiff and have bends set into a weird shape. It is best done with two people. One should be under the car and one on top. I did it with my wife. I was underneath. Start at the front of the car and work toward the rear leaving the tensioner for last. I made the final loop over the tensioner from underneath while my wife relieved the tensioner. You could do it from on top if they are skilled enough to un-tension the arm and position the belt. Both will have to hold the belt from slipping off as the belt as it is rerouted. Make some small Golf club shaped or hooked tools to push / pull the belt over and under pulleys, it will help.

If you are doing this job yourself, it is a little easier to save the alternator for last.

Working from the front of the car you can pull on the tensioner (I used a 3/4" socket on a breaker bar) forward with one hand, while slipping the belt over the alternator pulley at the same time. Tricky, but it works!