[00Form]

This car can be a pain in the ass.

So it seems I messed up the part where you put in the torx-50 bit but it seems good enough that it still should work. It's like it's frozen.

Any suggestions? Anyone else run into this?

I want to get the car running again. I never had any issue with the LS motors.

Thanks

[cmitchell17]

I am completely with you there, these new "global" type tensioners and parts on this car are a complete pain. It probably has a lot to do with using global suppliers and unifying GM products to be used everywhere. The radiator setup is a real pita as well.

Anyway, you shouldn't have to mess with the torx bit if you are trying to loosen the belt tension? You should just be able to put a 15mm I think? socket on the idler pulley bolt put a breaker bar on it and turn it down and the tensioner will compress in the down direction.

[L78toLT1]

I agree 100% on the radiator. Haven't had any issues with the tensioner though. I've got around 22k miles and have removed & reinstalled the serpentine belt multiple times. Cmitchell is correct on the belt installation technique.

[00Form]

Thanks! Thought about trying that yesterday when I went to bed.

I seem to get stuck on the stupidest things. I guess I couldn't make a living as a mechanic.

I am anxious to see how these bolt ons feel. I love the low end power of the stock car but it kind of feels anemic at higher rpms. A little worried about the loudness.

Can't complain too much though, these cars are pretty amazing off the show room floor.

[cmitchell17]

Originally Posted by 00Form

Thanks! Thought about trying that yesterday when I went to bed.

I seem to get stuck on the stupidest things. I guess I couldn't make a living as a mechanic.

I am anxious to see how these bolt ons feel. I love the low end power of the stock car but it kind of feels anemic at higher rpms. A little worried about the loudness.

Can't complain too much though, these cars are pretty amazing off the show room floor.

I also completely agree with you there, I do some stupid things also. I have an engineering degree and have worked on stuff all my life, but I will continue to do the dumbest things. I spent days trying to get my trans cooler and pcv lines back on and they wouldn't snap on, until I realized they were already on.

I think a good mechanic is someone who is patient and has a good attention span, someone who stops and gets the right tool instead of messing with something for an hour only to end up breaking it just because you didn't want to crawl out from under the car again.