Today when I was adding some washer fluid I decided to check my A/C pressure to see if it was leaking since I added some coolant this weekend. Well I started the engine and did the test (FYI everything check out cool). So turned the engine off and started cleaning up. I went to start the engine up again, it started but when I got out to look at the engine I discovered the belt had slipped off (I'm glad it happened at home in the driveway and not on the road ). So now hopefully with the help of BC, chiltons manual, and some elbow grease I install the belt back on and go to the nearest mechanic to have a new belt put on (it got little scratched up plus I don't think belts are suppose to slip off like this )

Here are pics

When it first happened





So far I been able to get it mostly back on according to the belt diagram but I'm having a hard time getting it over the generator



Also is the teeth side suppose to be on up on the water pump like I have it or the smooth part up?



Also, do I have the belt around the idler correct?



I also wanted to know if I will need any tools to put the belt back or can I just put it back on with hands? As mention I just I want to temporarily fix it to get it to a mechanic. One final question, can you drive a car without it'* belt, just for a quick mile journey to a mechanic? THANKS A MILLION

that idler is on a spring juste take a boxand a ratchet that fit in it and take some tension off the belt will go on easy but check that belt if it flys off maybe time to buy new one

Moving to the proper section.

If everyone followed your reasoning, we'd all be solving mechanical problems in one big General Chat.

not a big issue at all. but why did it come off in the first place? you might wanna replace that belt if its got uneven tension.

anyways. you will need a breaker bar and a socket, i forget the size, just get the belt in place, pull the tensioner arm back and pop the belt right on the alt. super simple. if you don't have the breaker bar, just go rent one from a parts store.

Edit: if you don't know what i mean by pulling back the tensioner, move it in the direction of the arrow on the diagram with some good leverage. for example, put the bar on it upside down, straight up and push straight back towards the rear of the car. its much easier than one would think with a long breaker bar.

i would actually suggest you to replace the belt yourself instead of going to a mechanic, it'll be cheaper and its super easy, i changed one on my moms van with a 3800 that has nowhere near the clearance of a bonneville in 5 minutes

The belt slipped off because something is out of alignment or the tensioner is too weak.
Before installing the belt grab the water pump and idler pulley, pulling up and down and see if there is play in it. This will jump the belt.
Also you'll need an 18 mm socket on the center bolt of the idler pulley. Pull up counter clockwise with an extention bar or pipe on a breaker bar to release the tension and slip the belt on.

SSEBONNE4EVA is right. Replacing the belt is not likely to solve the problem. In addition to checking the pulleys for alignment, with the belt off, reach down and grab each pulley and see if any wiggle or are loose. If you find a loose one, you will need to replace it. If none are loose, then the tensioner spring is probably shot and not providing proper tension to keep the belt on. You can check belt tension with a little tension gauge called a klickit. Costs about $12 and will last you for life.

Thanks for all the replies, tomorrow morning I will walk to the parts store and buy a new belt as well as a 18mm socket. I will also be inspecting the parts to see if anything needs replacing. Since this is an easy task, I will be doing it myself .You guys are great

dont buy a new belt just yet... ill bet you the price of the belt that its not the belt. your belt looks to be in great condition. it is probably your tensioner pulley

also, i would double check that socket size.. i know on all my pullies its 15mm

Having just changed a belt last night, I can at least tell you that my 1990 is an 18mm. I dont usually fight trying to get the belt wrapped around the tensioner last, I do the alternator last while holding the tensioner open, then after the last of the belt is safely on the alternator, release the tensioner.

I'm with the others about checking the pullies though, especially the water pump