How to Replace the Serpentine Belt on the 2002 Ford Escort

The 2002 Ford Escort comes with a serpentine belt that routes around each front engine accessory. The serpentine belt controls all the engine accessories at the same time from the same belt. When the motor is running, the belt is driven around the accessory pulleys by the crankshaft. The belt is tensioned to the front of the engine by a belt tensioner device that keeps the proper amount of tension on the belt at all times. Replace the belt if there is excessive cracking or fraying present. If the belt breaks, all accessories stop working.

Open the hood. Locate the serpentine belt routing diagram that is stamped to the top left side of the hood locking latch on the fan shroud. The routing diagram has the routing instructions needed to route the new serpentine belt around the accessory pulleys.

Locate the automatic belt tensioner on the front of the engine. The tensioner for the 2002 Ford Escort models is located on the front center of the engine above the crankshaft pulley. The tensioner has a roller pulley attached to one end of the tensioner arm. Use the bolt head in the middle of the roller pulley to rotate the tensioner.

Rotate the belt tensioner counterclockwise with the 1/2-inch drive breaker bar and a socket. Slide the belt out from under the roller pulley and release the tensioner.

Pull the belt out of the remaining pulleys and out of the engine area. Match the used belt to the new belt to ensure the new belt is the proper width and length.

Lower the new belt into the engine area and around each accessory pulley by following the routing directions on the belt routing diagram. Start with the crankshaft pulley and end with the tensioner roller pulley.

Rotate the tensioner counterclockwise again with the breaker bar and socket. Slide the new belt under the roller pulley and release the tensioner. Examine the new belt to ensure it is seated within all of the accessory pulleys.

Crank the 2002 Ford Escort engine for about 10 seconds to completely seat the belt inside of the pulleys. Turn the motor off. Recheck the belt. Close the hood.