At the first sign of cracking or excessive wear, the drive belt should be changed as soon as possible to avoid damaging engine components or leaving you stranded. Changing the belt on a 2002 Saturn can be done in a few minutes by most novice mechanics. However, installing the belt requires special attention on how the belt is routed. A new belt must be routed in the same way as the old one or it can damage vital engine components when the engine is started.
Lift the hood of the Saturn and prop it open. Place a wrench on the bolt on the center of the tensioner pulley. The tensioner pulley is a black, metal circle on the passenger side of the engine. Follow the existing belt to find the tensioner.
Rotate the wrench clockwise to release the tensioner pulley and lower it to remove the tension from the belt.
Make a note of how the belt is routed if a diagram isn't present on the radiator support.
Remove the drive belt from the pulleys inside the engine compartment.
Route the new belt according to the diagram on the radiator support or the diagram you made before removing the old belt.
Place a wrench on the bolt on the center of the tensioner pulley.
Rotate the wrench clockwise to release the tensioner pulley and raise it to create tension on the belt.
