Changing a 2007 Cruiser Serpentine Belt

[falconut]

First, how hard is it? I have done them in my LeBaron and my Regal many times. Usually took about 20 minutes. When I look under the hood I can't even see it. It appears to be under the plastic shroud.

My car has almost 30,000 miles and the belt is occationally squealing. I have only been able to find the service book for 2001 - 2003 models. I recently downloaded the manual for the 2001 - 2004 models from this site to see if this works for mine. My engine is a 2.4L and my car is the base model.

Will this manual show me how to correctly change the serpentine belt for my car or is my year completely different? I would imagine I'd just have to remove the plastic cover, then use whatever size wrench to release the tension, then remove belt. And do the same for installing the belt. Am I correct or are these cars different?

Thanks,
Craig

[bobdole369]

"It appears to be under the plastic shroud."

The timing belt and water pump pulley are under that shroud. The drive belts are much further down - accessed by taking the wheel and splash shield off if I recall.

The 2.4L PT cruiser engine has 2 belts (actually 3 if you count the timing belt that runs the water pump) - a generator drive belt, and a power steering/AC compressor drive belt.

If you look above in the forum at the stickies you'll find a link to the service manual - that contains everything you'll ever need to know. The 2005 is similar enough that you can use it for the belts.

[falconut]

Still have some questions. The book doesn't seam very clear.

I took another look at the manual and it does appear that the splash sheild is shown from underneath. I originally though it was shown from the top. It's hard to tell from the picture and all they say is remove the splash sheild. Exactly how do I do this? Are there just screws holding it on, like the picture kind of shows? Do I need to remove the two plugs and bolts (right mount bolt & crankshaft bolt) for the sheild to come off? I can't imagine the bolts would hav eto come out, but who knows.

Is this job fairly easy? I've never changed a serpentine belt from underneath. Once the car is on jackstands and the tire and splash sheild are removed is there much room? Does anybody know what size wrench is needed for the tensioner?

Last thing, it's hard to tell, but does the generator belt have to be removed to get the serpentene belt off? I orginally thought this, but after re-looking at the book, it looks like the serpentene belt is on top.

Thanks,
Craig

[Hooligan]

You say you only have 30K+ miles on it, would the warranty still be good on it, normally it is 3 years 36,000 miles. Even with some mechanical knowledge It is NOT a easy fix!!!

[falconut]

Yes, it's still under warranty. It hasan extended bumper to bumper warranty, but I don't think itcovers normal wear and tear items such as the AC, PS Serpentine belt. Hooligan - Are you taking about the timing belt replaement or the AC/PS serpentine belt?

[falconut]

Hasn't anybody done a serpentine belt on a PT Cruiser?

[1911james]

its really not that bad, takes about an hour to do. remove the shroud, a few screw and a couple of plastic pop of type deals and then a 15 mm socket on the tensioner take old belt off, put new one on. I did it in the parking lot of my apartment complex with a jack and a couple of sockets, nothing special.