Hi all,

I feel like the biggest idiot but how do I access the alternator belt on an LG4 to replace it? The AIR pump belt gets in the way and I don't see how the AIR pump is adjustable to pivot the belt away like the AC compressor and alternator is. Do I really need to remove the water pump pulley to get this thing off like I'm thinking, or am I missing something obvious here? Thanks1

 

Loosen the three bolts that are circled. You can then loosen and remove the AIR pump belt and access the alternator belt.

 

The easiest way to get the V-belt off the smog pump is to crack the three bolts holding the pulley to the smog pump loose, then loosen the adjuster bolt and pivot bolt. Finally remove the pulley bolts and the belt comes right off. Otherwise, there usually isn't enough room to remove the belt from the pump.

 

Awesome! I was missing that lower bolt on the AIR pump and that's why I couldn't wiggle it. All set now! I have a new problem however:

Before I replaced the squeaky alternator belt, it would sometimes run at 8 volts (when it was slipping) but once it caught back up it would constantly read right at 13. Now, with my new belt, there's no more squeak and it never drops at idle, but the max output I see on the gauge is always a couple ticks below 13. Could this really be the fault of the belt? Where should the needle sit at cruise?