This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the serpentine belt on a 2015 Kia Forte with the 1.8L I4 engine, including proper tensioner operation and belt routing verification.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Serpentine belt × 1 — Use OEM specification or Gates K060985

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Allow engine to cool completely
3. Open hood and secure with prop rod
4. Locate the belt routing diagram on the radiator support or underside of hood (photograph if present)

Procedure

1. 1

   Document belt routing
   Using your phone camera, take clear photographs of the serpentine belt routing from multiple angles. Pay special attention to how the belt wraps around the alternator, water pump, A/C compressor, crankshaft, and tensioner pulleys. If no routing diagram is visible on the vehicle, sketch the routing pattern for reference.
2. 2

   Access the belt tensioner
   From above the engine, locate the automatic spring-loaded belt tensioner on the passenger side of the engine. The tensioner pulley is positioned between the alternator and crankshaft pulley. Identify the 14mm hex bolt head in the center of the tensioner arm.
3. 3

   Release belt tension
   Insert a 14mm socket with 3/8 inch ratchet or breaker bar onto the tensioner bolt. Rotate the tensioner arm clockwise (toward the passenger side) to relieve tension on the belt. The tensioner will move approximately 30-40 degrees. Maintain steady pressure on the tensioner while proceeding to the next step.
   ⚠The tensioner is spring-loaded and will snap back forcefully if released suddenly. Maintain controlled pressure at all times.
4. 4

   Remove serpentine belt
   While holding the tensioner in the released position, slip the serpentine belt off the nearest pulley (typically the alternator or water pump). Once the belt is free from one pulley, carefully release the tensioner to allow it to return to its resting position. Remove the belt from the remaining pulleys and extract it from the engine bay.
5. 5

   Inspect pulleys and tensioner
   With the belt removed, manually spin each pulley to check for rough bearings, wobble, or excessive play. Inspect the tensioner pulley for smooth rotation and proper spring tension. Check the condition of all pulley surfaces for glazing, grooves, or damage. Verify the tensioner moves smoothly through its full range of motion.
6. 6

   Route new serpentine belt
   Starting with the new serpentine belt, route it around all pulleys EXCEPT the tensioner pulley, following your reference photos or diagram. On the 1.8L Forte, the typical routing is: crankshaft (bottom center) → water pump → alternator → A/C compressor → idler pulley (if equipped). Ensure the ribbed side of the belt contacts all grooved pulleys. Leave the tensioner pulley for last.
7. 7

   Install belt onto tensioner
   Using the 14mm socket and ratchet, rotate the tensioner clockwise again to create slack. Position the belt over the tensioner pulley while holding the tensioner in the released position. Verify the belt is properly seated in all pulley grooves, then slowly release the tensioner to apply proper tension to the belt.
8. 8

   Verify belt alignment and tension
   Visually inspect the entire belt path to ensure the belt is centered on all pulleys and fully seated in all grooves. The belt should not be twisted anywhere along its path. Check that the automatic tensioner has returned to its normal operating position with the indicator mark (if present) within the acceptable range on the tensioner body.
9. 9

   Test belt operation
   Manually rotate the crankshaft pulley clockwise (using a socket on the crankshaft bolt) for two complete revolutions. Observe that the belt tracks properly on all pulleys without slipping off or wandering. Listen and feel for any binding or unusual resistance during rotation.

Reassembly

1. No disassembly was required for this procedure

Verification

• Start the engine and allow it to idle. Listen for any squealing, chirping, or abnormal noises from the belt area
• Visually verify the belt is tracking properly on all pulleys while the engine runs
• Turn on accessories (A/C, headlights, radio) to load the alternator and verify the belt operates smoothly under load
• Shut off the engine and perform a final visual inspection to ensure the belt remains properly seated
• Check for proper alternator charging (battery light should be off with engine running)

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