Oldsmobile/Buick: 86 olds cierra, mounting brackets, altenator


Question
this model has three fan belts.  the most interior one which was attached to the alternator broke.  i am trying to replace all three but am not exactly sure how to remove the other belts.  Besides the tensioner on the alternator, i have not seen any others.  Do I have to remove the pullys themselves, and if I do two of them have some type of cap over the bolt that i cannot figure out how to get off.  any help would be great thanks.

Answer
Hi wilson,
Yes three belts are on your car. Memory serves me right, you have one going from the waterpump to power steering, one to altenator, and one to an idler gear. To replace you will have to unbolt the power steering unit and the idler or smog pump first from the mounting brackets. Leave the pulleys on the units. Be careful with the power steering to avoid line breakage, it is easy to create a leak. You didn't mention which engine your car has, but both 4cyl & 6cyl. are relatively close. Hope this helps! Ray