Questions and Answers

Chevy Cavalier Belt Tensioner Q. My Mother in Law has a 1995 Chevy Cavalier with the 2.2-liter. Her friend, her and myself have been trying to put on this new alternator. I've done a few before but on this model I can't seem to find the belt tensioner. The belt is all routed but we can't get the belt over the alternator pulley to finish the job! I tried to put the belt on and then put the alternator in place but it can only go straight in. Any ideas or tips for me? Thanks...

A. One of the idler pulleys is the tensioner. It will move when a wrench is put on it and rotated clockwise. Usually it's either a 15mm bolt head or a 3/8" square hole that you put a breaker bar into to move it. This will give you the needed clearance to get the belt on.

The tensioner is below and between the alternator and power steering pump.