How do you replace a 2000 Neon drive belt tensioner?

Answer 1

I have personally followed this person's advice step-by-step, and it worked flawlessly.

The bearings of the serpentine drive belt tensioner pulley in my 2000 Dodge Neon were starting to go bad and a horrific grinding noise was coming from the engine compartment. After reading up on all the work that needed to be done (a local mechanic offered to replace it for $700), I decided to do a little searching on the internet and I came across this web page.

http://chronoscender.freeservers.com/neonserptens/serptens.html

As stated in an update near the top of the page, the only thing that has changed over time is Napa now sells an OEM duplicate of the pulley, so you don't need to install the 6 rib size outlined in the instructions. The OEM replacement is around $30, as opposed to Mopar's price of $130, and it comes with a lifetime guarantee. To learn how to safely lift the engine out of the compartment without completely removing it, follow the link on the same page as above called Neon Timing Belt Replacement.

Also, make sure you stabilize the engine when raising it up. I lifted the engine using a 2 ton jack under the oil pan and it must have come up too tilted, because I ended up tearing the rubber insert of one of the motor mounts and had to replace the whole thing. In retrospect I think I must have missed removing the bolt of that mount before attempting to raise the engine high enough in the compartment to get at the plate the pulley is connected to.

That's all I have. Good luck!

--Nomi--