how do I change a serpentine belt on a 1998 ford windstar 3.8l?

After you remove the belt from the altenator, you need to release the tentioner back to it's original position. DO NOT let it go take back real slow or damage can occur. Start installing the belt from the cranshaft pulley up. It would make it easier if you had a diagram of the pulley routing. when you get to the altenator hold the belt tight then hook the tensioner tool to the tentioner and pull towards you until you are able to connect the belt to the altenator. Once that is done slowlly put the tentioner back in it's place and your done...

carlos
February 2012

diagram to changing timing belt on 98 ford windstar

hs
May 2010

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.

Durango Bob
November 2006