I have a 1995 buick lesabre...the last month or so I've heard a clicking...then 2 days ago my serpentine belt shredded...I replaced the belt, but still heard the noise...the belt was gnawed up a bit and came back off...it was gnawed on the engine side of the belt...so, I did as much research as I could find, and decided to replace the tension pulley...all the other pullies spin but dont make any noise...the crank pulley doesn't move...? The tension pulley needs a 3/4 inch socket...I've seen different YouTube videos..but for a '97...and it said the bolt was reverse thread...the guy at AutoZone just told me that yr isn't...any tips or advice is much appreciated..thank you..

All the pulleys on the 3800 Series 2 are suppose to move. The crank pulley is the most difficult because you are trying to turn the actual engine over.

With that said, with the belt off, check each pulley for any wobbling that would cause the belt to move side to side and check for free wheel. The alternator, power steering pump, idler pulley and tensioner pulley should spin freely.

Thank you...it appears to be the tension pulley....now, before I go yanking on the bolt, do you know if that yr is a reverse bolt? Thank you

Surprise surprise. I can't find anything relating to that pulley in my 95 service manual. It tells me how to remove the whole bracket assembly, but not just the pulley.

I had mine off a few months ago. I'm betting its lefty loosey, righty tighty.

Thank you...I found a YouTube video changing that part, but it was on a 97 lesabre...3.8 also...I have a feeling I may have tightened it pretty good!

Generally a good rule of thumb is if you have to turn the wrench counter clockwise to loosen the belt then usually the bolt is reverse thread. I believe they do it that way so you can replace the pulley and get the bolt torqued correctly.

I know mine was reverse thread and mine is a series II.

So...changed the tension pulley...still had the noise...bolt is a a reverse...still have the noise...was dinking around trying to figure out which pulley was making noise when a fine spray of water then steam came from the water pump area...I can't spin the pulley to that..I got 3 of the 4 bolts off...looks like I'm going to have to remove the motor mount....unless I can get it to spin... my new question is...could it just be the pulley, or am I looking at a new water pump? I had a new one installed 8 yrs ago...when I got this car...thanks in advance...

No, if the pulley isn't moving, then the water pump is probably seized. But question remains is, why aren't you over heating?

Well, it wasn't before, but is now...after replacing the pulley and the belt, I turned it on and off a few times to pinpoint the noise location and to make sure the belt was secure..it is overheating now..I remember now that is pretty much the same thing it did 8 yrs ago...ate the belt etc...

Replace the water pump, if you seen a little stream spray out it is most likely coming from the bearing area, they weep when failing to help keep the coolant from getting to the bearings.
It also sounds seized as Mike said.

I am not sure if you have to remove your motor mount or not, I am sure somebody will respond, and let you know if that is necessary or not.