The belt tensioner on Chevrolet Venture 3.4 engines is responsible for keeping the belt tight inside of each accessory pulley at all times. As the engine is running, the belt turns around each accessory pulley so that the accessories can operate. As the belt turns, the tensioner moves up and down with the movement of the belt to keep the proper amount of tension on the belt. Over time, the spring inside the tensioner will get weak or break. If this occurs, replace the tensioner immediately.
Locate the belt tensioner on the front left-hand side of the motor. Use the square opening in front of the tensioner pulley to relieve the tension from the belt.
Insert the square end of the breaker bar into the square opening in front of the tensioner pulley. Rotate the breaker bar counter clockwise to loosen the tension off the belt.
Pull the belt out from around the tensioner pulley. Hang the belt to any component on the top side of the engine with the bungee strap to prevent the belt from coming out of the other pulleys.
Locate the bolt in the center of the tensioner arm. Use a ratchet and socket to loosen and remove the bolt. Then, slide the bolt out and pull the tensioner straight off the front of the engine block.
Position the new belt tensioner in the same location on the front of the engine block. Slide the bolt back through the center of the tensioner arm and tighten with the ratchet and socket.
Remove the bungee strap from the belt. Turn the tensioner counter clockwise with the breaker bar. Slide the belt around the new tensioner pulley and release the breaker bar. Remove the breaker bar from the tensioner and the engine area.
Crank the Chevrolet Venture 4.3 engine and inspect the belt tensioner while the motor is running. Make sure that the tensioner and the tensioner pulley are moving freely with the movement of the belt. Turn the engine off.
