Help please, replacing idler pulley today

[Batoutahell]

First off, thanks Mr. Detail for the replacement idler pulley. My original pulley is shiny and has grooves worn into it. Thanks also go out to Lund for the archived instructions on how to replace the pulley.

The real shocker came when I pulley the sc'er belt off; the ribs are totally chewed off. The old belt has more smoothe spots on it than ribs! I'll try to post some pics later, it's pretty scary. With just a few chunks of rib remaining intact, I'm kinda surprised the belt didn't slip off the blower or the alternator. What does this mean? Was my belt tension too loose or tight? The belt and idler pulley have approximately 20K miles.

Anyway, as I removed the bolt holding the idler pulley onto its bracket, the pulley fell off and I think I heard a "clink." Is there a washer between the pulley and the idler bracket (similar to the washer between the pulley and the bolt)? If there is a washer there, that's the clink I heard as it fell off. If there's no washer there, then my imagination must be getting the better of me.

On a side note, when I lowered the engine, I noticed that over time my ES motor mount insert had almost came out of the motor mount. The two zip-ties that hold the halves together broke and the inserts floated nearly off the motor mount. The inside insert came in contact with the ps pulley, which cut a mean looking diagonal groove through the insert. I guess I'll be giving ES a call on Monday to see if I can get a replacement.

[zip]

Here are picts of my idler pullies:




and there is a washer.
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Mods

[This message has been edited by zip (edited August 04, 2001).]

[Batoutahell]

I thought I heard a washer fall off.

Is there a trick to getting the new belt back over the blower and alternator pulleys?? After fighting that belt for 1/2 hr, I'm beginning to question whether 620mm is the right size. Maybe I can stretch it before I install it?

[registry]

If you have a GSR the 4PK620 belt is the right one. You have to work the belt over the supercharger pulley because it's tight, even with the idler pulley totally off. I know they say not to force it, but use a screw driver and work it over the pulley carefully, it's the only way (at least for me). Once the belt is on (make sure all the ribs line up perfectly with the pulley grooves)you have to reinstall the tensioner pulley and realign the tensioner screw into the groove. Usually you have to manually put a little tension on the belt and the tensioner screw will fall into the hole...tighten carefully and WHALA!!!
I just recently replaced all my belts after 12,000 miles and the belt were chewed up and destroyed. The tensioner pulley for my blower had a 1/8th inch groove into it (the installer obviously overtightened the bitch)! Good luck!!!

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"99" GSR Emerald green sedan-6 psi /JRSC,Walbro 255 lph fuel pump,AEM CAI,Comptech stainless 4-2-1 header,Comptech stainless exhaust,MSD 8.8 ignition wires, power blaster coil and MSD 6AL multi-spark ingnition, Comptech upper strut brace, Comptech integrated 22mm rear sway bar with tie bar, Comptech sport springs,DC short throw shifter, JR btc and map controller, chrome KMC Tarantula wheels on Toyo 205/45ZR 16" Proxes T1S tires, Power Stop cross drilled rotors, metal master brake pads, stainless steel brake lines, KYB/AGX struts, Energy Suspension motor mount inserts, Piaa 1700 plantinum driving lights w/Pia Super whites replacement bulbs,walnut woodtrim interior


Wing/future dark tinted windows and very proud!

[Batoutahell]

Okay, the @#$^@# belt will not slip over both blower and alternator pulleys. I went for my screwdriver (lever) an hour ago, but I couldn't maneuvering it effectively in the tight confines. I even soaked the new belt in boiling water to try to get it to expand. I'm losing.

I need a good 1/4" more of give in the belt in order to pry it over the pulleys. Is there anything wrong if I get a slightly longer belt?? 625mm would fit alot easier.

[JRCivic]

The normal service life of a JRSC blower belt is 15K miles... if you overtension it, it will be even less.
If you got 20K out of it without any significant slippage... consider yourself lucky.

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'93 Civic Si H/B with B18C1, JRSC @ 8psi
Best 1320: 12.68 at 110 mph

[00ITR006]

okay its been a few months since i've changed mine, i think but don't quote me, i believe i put the belt over the supercharger pulley, then unbolted the idler (not all the way to get it to slide up and then eventually about about 30mins figured it out.

or you can try to put it over the idler then get it some of the way over the charger pulley and turn the pulley with you hand (put some dishwashing soapy water , NOT ALOT) and keep turning the pulley till the belt catches and goes on.. then tighten the idler back up....

Its a pain, but once you figure it out, your like DUH wish it was that easy earlier. I think it took me a total of 2 hours HAHA....

I feel you pain, i'm going to start taking my charger off tomorrow, I have this feeling since i'm not to mechanically inclined that its going to take me a few days.

[JRCivic]

Are you struggling with the blower drive belt or the alternator drive belt ???

If you are fighting the blower belt, simply unscrew the long adjustment screw (hold the jam nut close to the base) so that the pulley bracket can swing all the way nearest to the head. Then slide the belt on over the JR blower pulley and alternator dual pulley. Once in the proper ribs, begin tensioning the idler.

If you are fighting the alternator pulley, loosen the tensioner until it falls out of the bottom of the track. Install the belt around the crank ribs and alternator ribs. Once this is done, simply hold the tensioner back up to the track and simultaneously begin turning the adjustment screw until it begins to thread. Tension the belt accordingly.


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'93 Civic Si H/B with B18C1, JRSC @ 8psi
Best 1320: 12.68 at 110 mph

[randomwalk101]

After changing my belt two times, I am now considered myself a professional in this area..hahha..j/k..well at least it takes me about 20 mins to replace the pulleys and SC belt
Okay, the pulley is an ez part, just remove the old one and pop the new one in..the bottom pulley (tensioner pulley), crawl down there and remove the lock nut (17mm) complete off the pulley. The pulley although cna be taken out now, but it'll hang in there because of the adjusting screw and belt. Now go up to the top and use a long ass extensioner and 10 mm w/ flex socket...loosen the adjusting nut until the pulley drops all the way out...but do NOT let it drop cuz it'll just be a pain in the ass to put it back on...now crawl back down and pull the pulley out, slap a new one on, put the 17mm lock nut on and hand tighten the nut. Pull the Alternator belt off pull the SC belt off, slip the new SC belt on over the main pulley then slip the alt belt back on (I did not change the alt belt since it's good)...i don't know how to change the alt belt at this piont since I've never done it belt i believe all you have to do is remove the ps belt (simple) and a/c belt (require the engine to be lowered a little bit..simple). Anyways, go back to the top and put ONE side of the SC belt onto the SC pulley (okay this puelly is where it is attached to the sc, not the sc tensioner puelly). Anyways, put one side on and apply pressure there and TURN THE SC pullley. As you turn, the belt will snap right on....this is the EASIEST way...period...It took me light 15 or 20 mins the first time trying to get it over witha screw driver..and didn't work...I did the trick above and bam!!...on in 5 secs

[Batoutahell]

Thanks for the advice, guys. The belt that's giving me trouble is the belt that connects the blower pulley to the alternator pulley. I have the replacement idler pulley completely off, so it's not in the way. The replacement belt I picked up is just way too short to fit over the pulleys, let alone install the idler pulley for tension. I went to another parts store today and measured my belts on a belt-measuring device. My worn belt is stretched to 625mm, the belt I purchased to replace it is 603mm (its package says 620mm!!), so I bought the next nearest size belt at 627mm. It should slide on ok, and I'm hoping that the idler pulley can take up any excess slack. I'll know in a few hours.