How to Replace the Serpentine Belt in a Ford Taurus

A serpentine belt is called such, because it winds or snakes around different accessories in an engine. The Ford Taurus has a true serpentine belt, which runs all of the accessories. It is a ribbed belt with grooves in it. Although Ford recommends checking the belt every 30,000 miles or 24 months, according to some documentation, a serpentine belt on a Ford Taurus can last up to 100,000 miles.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find the automatic serpentine belt tensioner. The tensioner pulley has a bolt you will rotate to release tension on the belt.

2. Rotate the tensioner with your 15mm-wrench. For a OHV engine types, you'll rotate the tensioner clockwise; for OHC engine types, you'll want to rotate it counter-clockwise.

3. Slip the old belt off and slowly release the tensioner.

4. Use your memory or a belt routing diagram to put the new belt on. Ford usually includes a belt routing diagram on the fan shroud or elsewhere in the engine compartment. There also may be one in your owner's documentation.

5. Put the new belt on by rotating the tensioner again, then slowly release the tensioner to regain tension on the belt.

6. Make sure the belt is seated correctly on all pulleys and that the ribs on the belt are correctly lined up with the pulley grooves.

7. Run the engine and observe to ensure correct installation.

Tips & Warnings

• Although Ford Taurus serpentine belt setups are generally similar, this is related to a limited set of model years from 1996 to 2001. Check your owner's documentation for your specific model year for the Ford Taurus to see if any items are different.