1995 Windstar 3.8L Serpentine Belt Removal

This is an informational post as I was not able to find a clear answer
in the archive - I figured it out for myself.

The tensioner pully on the 3.8L is the farthest pully back into the
engine compartment (closest to firewall/bulkhead) and if you were
looking at a serpentine diagram for this vehicle, it would be the pully
at the top left. The Haynes manual shows a diagram/photo for the 3.0L
serpentine and states "3.8L similar" - it is NOT at all similar, ignore
Haynes. There may be a diagram sticker on the fan shroud or underneath
the hood too so take a look.

To remove tension, you have to get a 15mm wrench back there on the
pully bolt (center of pully) and rotate clockwise. When tension is
released, just pop the belt off the idler pully which is the smallest
pulley near you. I STRONGLY recommend a serpentine tool/wrench which
you can rent out for free from Autozone ($25 deposit). All it really is
is a long bar (leverage) with a number of wrench head attachments
(14mm, 15mm, 16mm, etc.). With the tool, it makes this task too easy -
hope this helps.

Poppy

writes:

> This is an informational post as I was not able to find a clear answer
> in the archive - I figured it out for myself.
>
> The tensioner pully on the 3.8L is the farthest pully back into the
> engine compartment (closest to firewall/bulkhead) and if you were
> looking at a serpentine diagram for this vehicle, it would be the pully
> at the top left. The Haynes manual shows a diagram/photo for the 3.0L
> serpentine and states "3.8L similar" - it is NOT at all similar, ignore
> Haynes.

One of the limitations of the Haynes manuals is that they are, I
believe, written in Europe, so they show the European version of the
vehicle. The 3.0 is rare in U.S. Windstars, but I believe it was the
only engine offered in Europe. Of course, the two engines are totally
different; the 3.0 was the Vulcan 60-degree pushrod engine introduced
with the Taurus, and the 3.8, while also a pushrod engine, has a
90-degree bank angle. I would be surprised if *anything* on the two
engines were "similar".

BTW: Did you know that the Windstar was offered in a panel-van
version? Quite strange, as they apparently just mounted steel panels
where the glass would go. The power quarter windows would still
operate, even though they weren't actually windows. I saw one once; it
was a Ford test vehicle. I wonder how many they sold....

<snip>

--
-Stephen H. Westin
Any information or opinions in this message are mine: they do not
represent the position of Cornell University or any of its sponsors.

> wrote in message
ps.com...
> This is an informational post as I was not able to find a clear answer
> in the archive - I figured it out for myself.
>
> The tensioner pully on the 3.8L is the farthest pully back into the
> engine compartment (closest to firewall/bulkhead) and if you were
> looking at a serpentine diagram for this vehicle, it would be the pully
> at the top left. The Haynes manual shows a diagram/photo for the 3.0L
> serpentine and states "3.8L similar" - it is NOT at all similar, ignore
> Haynes. There may be a diagram sticker on the fan shroud or underneath
> the hood too so take a look.
>
> To remove tension, you have to get a 15mm wrench back there on the
> pully bolt (center of pully) and rotate clockwise. When tension is
> released, just pop the belt off the idler pully which is the smallest
> pulley near you. I STRONGLY recommend a serpentine tool/wrench which
> you can rent out for free from Autozone ($25 deposit). All it really is
> is a long bar (leverage) with a number of wrench head attachments
> (14mm, 15mm, 16mm, etc.). With the tool, it makes this task too easy -
> hope this helps.
>
> Poppy
>
According to the subject, "belt removal", there is a quicker & simpler
method. Carefully use that trusted, sharp, pocket knife. Of course,
installation is another story! s