🔧 Murano - Serpentine Belt Replacement

Your Murano uses one serpentine belt to drive the alternator and air-conditioning compressor. Replace it if it has missing ribs, exposed cords, heavy cracking, oil contamination, squealing, or an automatic-tensioner indicator outside its usable range.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.5-1 hour

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Switch the engine off, remove the key from the work area, and let the engine cool completely.
• Keep fingers away from the belt and pulleys whenever the engine could start.
• The automatic tensioner is spring-loaded. Control the breaker bar firmly and release it slowly.
• Never place any part of your body beneath your Murano while it is supported only by a floor jack.
• Battery disconnection is not required for this repair.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 14mm 6-point socket
• 21mm lug-nut socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive torque wrench (30-150 Nm)
• Serpentine-belt removal tool (specialty)
• Flat-blade screwdriver (6mm tip)
• Plastic trim-clip removal tool
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• LED work light
• Mechanic’s gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Serpentine belt for 3.5L V6 - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Murano on firm, level ground. Select Park and apply the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks securely behind both rear wheels.
• Open the hood and photograph the original belt routing before removing the belt.
• Check the replacement belt against the old belt. The rib count and effective length must match.
• Access is easiest through the right-front wheel opening. The right side is the passenger side on your Murano.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Right-Front Wheel

• Use the 21mm lug-nut socket and 1/2-inch breaker bar to loosen each right-front lug nut about one-half turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts while the tire is still supporting the vehicle.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack at the approved front jacking point to raise your Murano.
• Position a jack stand beneath the approved right-front support point, then lower the vehicle securely onto it.
• Gently push the body to confirm that it is stable before working near the wheel opening.

Step 3: Remove the Wheel and Splash Shield

• Use the 21mm lug-nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to remove the lug nuts and right-front wheel.
• Use the plastic trim-clip removal tool and 6mm flat-blade screwdriver to release the clips securing the front section of the right inner-fender splash shield.
• Move the shield aside far enough to expose the crankshaft pulley, belt, and automatic tensioner.
• An automatic tensioner is a spring-loaded arm that maintains belt tension without manual adjustment.

Step 4: Record the Belt Routing

• Use the LED work light to trace the belt around the crankshaft pulley, air-conditioning compressor, alternator, idler pulley, and tensioner pulley.
• Compare the routing with the under-hood routing label, if present.
• Smooth pulleys contact the smooth back of the belt. Grooved pulleys contact its ribbed side.
• Take another clear photo before releasing tension.

Step 5: Release Belt Tension

• Fit the 14mm 6-point socket and serpentine-belt removal tool onto the automatic tensioner’s operating hex.
• Rotate the tensioner clockwise far enough to unload the belt. Do not loosen the tensioner’s mounting bolt.
• Hold the tool firmly and slide the belt off an easy-to-reach smooth pulley.
• Slowly return the tensioner to its resting position. Do not let it snap back.

Step 6: Remove and Inspect the Old Belt

• Remove the belt by hand from each pulley, working through the right-front wheel opening.
• Use the LED work light to inspect the old belt for polished ribs, missing sections, frayed edges, embedded debris, or oil contamination.
• If the belt is oily, locate and repair the engine-oil leak before installing the new belt.

Step 7: Inspect the Pulleys and Tensioner

• Use gloved hands to spin the idler and tensioner pulleys. They should turn smoothly without grinding, wobbling, or excessive looseness.
• Check every pulley groove with the LED work light. Remove lodged debris carefully with the 6mm flat-blade screwdriver while the belt is off.
• Move the tensioner through its range using the 14mm socket and serpentine-belt removal tool. It should move smoothly and return firmly.
• Replace a noisy pulley, weak tensioner, or damaged component before installing the belt.

Step 8: Route the New Belt

• Route the new belt by hand according to your routing photograph and the under-hood diagram.
• Leave one easy-to-reach smooth pulley until last.
• Center the belt ribs precisely in every grooved pulley. Even one rib hanging over an edge can destroy the belt.
• Use the LED work light to check the lower crankshaft and air-conditioning-compressor pulleys, which are difficult to see from above.

Step 9: Seat the Belt

• Use the 14mm socket and serpentine-belt removal tool to rotate the tensioner clockwise again.
• Slide the belt onto the final smooth pulley by hand without using a screwdriver as a lever.
• Release the tensioner slowly until it applies full pressure to the belt.
• Use the LED work light to verify that the belt is centered on every pulley and is not twisted.
• No tensioner fastener is removed or tightened during normal belt replacement, so there is no tensioner-bolt torque step.

Step 10: Reinstall the Splash Shield and Wheel

• Use the plastic trim-clip removal tool and 6mm flat-blade screwdriver to reinstall every splash-shield clip securely.
• Install the right-front wheel by hand and start all five lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading.
• Use the 21mm lug-nut socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to snug the nuts in a star pattern.
• Use the floor jack to lift your Murano slightly, remove the jack stand, and lower the tire to the ground.
• Use the 21mm lug-nut socket and 1/2-inch torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 113 Nm (83 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Remove all tools from the engine compartment and wheel area before starting the engine.
• Start the engine and observe the belt from a safe distance. It should run centrally without fluttering, wandering, or squealing.
• Switch the air conditioning on and verify that the belt remains stable when the compressor operates.
• Switch the engine off immediately if the belt moves sideways or makes abnormal noise. Recheck its routing and rib alignment.
• After a short drive, inspect the belt again with the engine off and cool.
• Recheck the right-front lug-nut torque after approximately 80-160 km.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹6,000-₹12,000 equivalent for parts and labor

DIY Cost: ₹2,500-₹6,000 for the belt

You Save: ₹3,500-₹6,000 by doing it yourself!

Local labor rates and imported-part prices vary. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.5-1 hour.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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