Chevrolet Equinox Serpentine Accessory Belt Replacement Guide
How to change the serpentine accessory belt on the Ecotec 1.5L turbo I4 engine in a 2018 to 2022 Chevy Equinox.
ByPaul B. Michaels
Author & Photographer
Auto Mechanic Since 1989
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| 2018 Equinox 1.5L I4 | Rubber Air Intake Hose | Loosen Hose Clamp |
| This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the third generation (2018, 2019 and probably also the mid-cycle updated or revised 2020, 2021 and 2022 model years) GM Chevrolet Equinox SUV in checking or changing the serpentine accessory belt on the Ecotec 1.5 liter turbocharged four cylinder engine. The procedure may be the same or very similar for the 2.0L turbo I4 engine or the 1.6L I4 diesel engine. Owners of other General Motors vehicles from Chevy, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and Holden such as the Trax, Blazer, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Camaro, Cascada, LaCrosse, Encore, Envision, Enclave, Regal, Canyon, Sierra, Terrain, Acadia, Yukon, Savana, XT4, XT5, XT6, Escalade, CTS, XTS, CT6, Astra, Commodore and Trailblazer may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful. The original genuine GM serpentine belt on this 2018 Equinox Premier was part number ACDelco 12654472. Two other compatible replacement belts for the Ecotec 1.5L turbo I4 engine with their part numbers include the following: ACDelco 5K689 and Gates K050689. The tools needed to complete this procedure include a flat head screwdriver, a long 3/8" drive breaker bar, or a long 18" to 24" 1/2" drive breaker bar with a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter. You may be able to use a standard ratchet if it is long enough to provide the leverage needed to rotate the tensioner arm, release the tension on the old belt and slip it off the pulleys. The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the left (passenger) side of the engine bay. |
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| Pull Off Rubber Hose | Hose Secured To Frame | |
| For easier access to the left side of the engine, you'll need to at least partially detach the rubber air intake hose. Loosen the screw on the silver metal hose clamp attached to the engine air filter box by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with a flat head screwdriver. Gently pull the rubber hose off the plastic air intake tube on the air box. Next, you can either detach the lower part of the air intake hose or just secure it out of the way. I chose to wrap some painter's tape around the end of the hose and attach it to the engine bay frame near the radiator. You could also use a bungee cord. Once the rubber air intake hose is out of the way, you'll be able to see the old belt and the various pulleys. Take a moment to study how the old belt is routed around the pulleys including the alternator, crankshaft, tensioner, water pump (coolant) and the air conditioning system's compressor. I'll include a belt routing diagram further down on this page. |
| A/C Compressor | | Large Crankshaft Pulley |
| The tensioner assembly is located near the top center area of the engine. There is a square opening near the end of the tensioner arm for a 3/8" drive ratchet or breaker bar. |
| Alternator Pulley | Long 1/2" Breaker Bar | 3/8" Drive - Tensioner |
| You'll notice that the belt extends back towards the rear of the engine and passes through a motor mount to reach the alternator pulley. I chose to use a long 1/2" drive breaker bar with a 1/2" to 3/8" adapter. Insert the 3/8" drive square peg into the opening on the tensioner arm. |
| Slip Old Belt Off Pulleys | Old Belt Removed |
| Pull the breaker bar handle up and / or back towards the rear of the SUV to rotate the tensioner and release the tension on the old belt. Hold the tensioner in the released position closer to the back of the engine bay with one hand. Very carefully slip the old belt off the tensioner pulley and the other pulleys. Do not place your fingers or hand in between the old belt or any of the pulleys! Pull the old belt through the opening in the motor mount on the side of the engine. |
| 15.01.18 76 2 42 | GM 12654472 | EPDM 5PK 1755 |
| Lift the old belt out of the engine bay and inspect it for any signs of wear such as fraying, chunks or rubber missing or cracks. If the old belt is in relatively good condition, consider keeping it as an emergency backup just in case the new belt fails prematurely. The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) belt in this 2018 Equinox Premier 1.5L turbo I4 was the ACDelco 12654472. I've included a belt routing diagram below. The image is missing the motor mount on the left (passenger) side that you need to pass the belt through to reach the alternator. 
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| Lower In New Belt | Pass Through To Alternator | A/C Compressor Bottom |
| A good rule to remember is that the ribbed side of the belt will be wrapped around ribbed pulleys and the smooth (flat) side of the belt will be against the smooth tensioner pulley. If you found that your old belt was loose and the tensioner arm was very easy to rotate, you may need to replace the entire assembly. I also recommend checking to see if the tensioner pulley spins freely. If the pulley doesn't spin easily, wobbles or makes a squeaking noise, the bearing may have failed and the pulley will need to be replaced. The OEM part number for the belt tensioner assembly is ACDelco 12638689. Carefully lower the new belt into the engine bay. Pass one loop of the new belt through the opening in the silver metal motor mount. Pull the loop over the alternator pulley at the rear of the engine. Then wrap the new belt over the A/C compressor, the water pump pulley and the large crankshaft pulley. |
| Release Tensioner Arm | Slip Belt Over Water Pump | New Belt Installed |
| Hold the last loop near the tensioner pulley. Rotate the tensioner arm back by using the 3/8" drive breaker bar. Carefully slip the last loop of the new belt over the tensioner pulley. Double check that the new belt has been properly routed. To check the tension on the new belt, grasp it at the middle of the longest run in between the alternator and the water pump. |
| Double Check Routing | Crankshaft Pulley | Belt Through Motor Mount |
| If you can easily twist the new belt past 90 degrees, the belt it too loose and the tensioner may be worn out. A belt with the proper amount of tension should only be able to be rotated about 90 degrees (perpendicular) to the rest of the belt at the longest run. |
| Push On Rubber Air Intake | Tighten Hose Clamp | New Belt Installed |
| Push the rubber air intake hose back into place over the plastic tube on the engine air box. Tighten the hose clamp by turning the screw in the clockwise direction with the flat head screwdriver. Start the engine and listen closely for any strange sounds. If you hear any noises, turn off the engine, double check your routing and the tensioner assembly. Be sure to record the belt change in your vehicle's service records. For more, please check out all of my .
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FAQs
When to Replace Serpentine Belt. When should a serpentine belt be replaced? The serpentine replacement interval is about every 60,000 – 100,000 miles. Because of their rubber material, serpentine belts will crack, peel, and wear down over time.
Is an accessory belt the same as a serpentine belt? ›
Accessory belts are used to drive the air-conditioning compressor, power steering pump, water pump and the alternator. In more modern cars one or two belts - known as the serpentine belt because of the way they twist around multiple pulleys - do all of these jobs.
How much does it cost to replace a serpentine belt on a Chevy Equinox? ›
The average cost for a Chevrolet Equinox Serpentine Belt Replacement is between $100 and $120.
When should I replace my accessory belt? ›
Diligent Monticello drivers are smart to ask themselves, “How long does a serpentine belt last?” Serpentine belts, also called drive belts or accessory drive belts, are constructed of tough rubber, but that doesn't mean they're invincible. Typically, serpentine belts last anywhere from 50,000 to 100,000 miles.
How long do GM serpentine belts last? ›
It's important to know when to replace a serpentine belt, also called a drive belt. These belts are often constructed from rubber and usually last around 50,000 to 100,000 miles. However, these belts can break down over time due to the intense heat and friction.
Can a serpentine belt last 200000 miles? ›
Your serpentine belt was made to last. Under ideal circ*mstances, a serpentine belt will last 60,000–100,000 miles. It's important to replace this belt as part of your vehicle's scheduled maintenance, even if it looks okay. You don't want this car part to break while you're on the road.
What year did Chevy start using serpentine belts? ›
On older model vehicles, multiple belts were employed to drive the various engine compartment devices. But after the serpentine belt was developed in 1979, the majority of, if not all, vehicle manufacturers began using serpentine belts due to their ease of use and overall efficiency.
How do I know which serpentine belt to buy? ›
You can find the correct size of serpentine belt for your car in the owner's manual or by using an online belt sizing tool. If you are unsure about the size of the serpentine belt you need, it is best to consult a mechanic or an auto parts store.
Does a Chevy Equinox have a timing chain or a timing belt? ›
The 2016 Chevy Equinox with the 2.4L engine does not have a timing belt. This engine uses a timing "chain".
How long does it take for a mechanic to replace a serpentine belt? ›
Plus, replacement is relatively easy, and if you're wondering how long does serpentine belt service take, it's less than an hour for most vehicles.
Most manufacturers recommend replacing the belt every 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles.
How much is a new accessory belt? ›
The average cost for serpentine belt replacement is between $109 and $134. Labor costs are estimated between $57 and $72, while parts range between $52 and $62. Whether you go to the mechanic or do it yourself, replacing a serpentine belt costs $58 to $126.
How long does an accessory drive belt last? ›
Let's delve into the answer to that together right now! Also known as drive belts or accessory drive belts, serpentine belts are made of sturdy rubber typically meant to last for 50,000 to 100,000 miles. However, this can see wear over time with exposure to heat and friction.
Can you drive without accessory belt? ›
Only for a very short amount of time. Without the belt, neither the alternator nor the water pump will be driven. That means that the car battery will run down and the engine will overheat. Once either of those things happen, you'll have to stop driving and be stuck wherever you ended up.
How many miles should accessory belts be checked? ›
The recommended interval for checking accessory belts is every 30,000 miles, but this can vary slightly depending on the vehicle manufacturer's specifications. Regular inspections can identify cracks, frays, and other wear that could lead to belt failure.
When should I replace my auxiliary belt? ›
How long should an auxiliary belt last? This can vary significantly depending on various factors, most notably the use of the vehicle. Having said that, as a rule-of-thumb, they should last between 50,000 and 100,000 miles or around five years.
How often should you perform maintenance accessory belts? ›
A good rule of thumb is to replace your V-Belt every 30,000 miles, while your serpentine belt and timing belt should be replaced every 50,000, although these numbers vary depending on the make and model of your car.
