Saturn Repair: tensioner not keeping serpentine belt tight, sohc engine, serpentine belt


Question
My Saturn suddenly lost power steering and the battery idiot light came on. I checked under the hood thinking the serpentine belt had broken, but it was still in one piece. There was no tension on it so I assumed it was the tensioner. What I want to know is what do I have to remove in order to fix or replace the tensioner. All the pulleys will rotate.
This is a 1992 SL with a SOHC engine. It's always been a rather troublefree auto, but it has 96,000 miles on it.

Answer
Hi Patrick,
Unfortunately, I haven't had much time with the SL1 Engine...only the Twin Cam.  The tension is slightly different and I don't know what all will have tocome off.  But, I can tell you than quite a few people have had to replace the tensioner due to lost tension on the belt.
The worst part will be access to it...there is very little room between the frint of the engine and the right tire well...about 2.5"!Sorry I couldn't offer more help.  Greg Moore