2017 Hyundai Elantra Serpentine Belt Replacement

A cracked, squealing, or glazed serpentine belt on your 2017 Hyundai Elantra won't strand you immediately — but when it breaks, it takes your alternator, power steering, and A/C down with it. Replace it at home in 30 minutes.

What You'll Need

• Replacement serpentine belt (Gates K060842 or Dayco 5060842 for 2017 Elantra 2.0L Nu)
• 14mm socket and ratchet
• Serpentine belt tool or breaker bar (for tensioner)
• Belt routing diagram (under hood sticker or check before removal)
• Flashlight
• Gloves

Estimated time: 20–35 minutes Estimated cost: $15–$25 for belt (vs. $100–$140 at a shop)

Before You Start

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra 2.0L Nu engine has a spring-loaded automatic belt tensioner — no manual adjustment bolts. Relieving tension is done by rotating the tensioner pulley with a socket and breaker bar or serpentine belt tool. Note the belt routing before removal — there is a belt routing diagram on a sticker under the hood near the radiator support on most Elantras. If it's not there, photograph the current routing from above before starting. The new belt will be slightly stiffer than the old one and may feel harder to route — this is normal.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Park and cool the engine — Work on a cold or warm (not hot) engine. Belt removal doesn't require draining fluids but you're working near a hot engine.
2. Photograph the belt routing — Before touching anything, take a clear photo of the belt path around all pulleys from above.
3. Locate the tensioner pulley — On the 2.0L Nu engine, the spring-loaded tensioner pulley is visible on the front of the engine block. It has a 14mm bolt head in the center.
4. Release tension on the belt — Insert a 14mm socket on the tensioner pulley bolt and rotate the tensioner clockwise (toward the engine) to relieve spring tension. The belt will go slack.
5. Slide the belt off the alternator pulley first — With tension released, slip the belt off the alternator (the easiest access point) while holding the tensioner in position.
6. Release the tensioner slowly — Lower the tensioner back to its rest position.
7. Remove the belt from remaining pulleys — Work the old belt off the crankshaft pulley, A/C compressor, power steering pump, and idler pulleys. Inspect each pulley for wobble, roughness, or damage.
8. Inspect the tensioner — Press the tensioner arm and release it — it should spring back firmly and smoothly. Worn tensioners have a notchy feel or weak spring. Replace if suspect ($20–$40 part).
9. Inspect the idler pulleys — Spin each pulley by hand with the belt off. They should spin smoothly with no bearing noise. Replace any rough pulley while the belt is off.
10. Route the new belt — Follow your photo or the routing diagram. Start at the crankshaft pulley (the bottom, large one) and work up, leaving the alternator pulley for last.
11. Seat the belt on all pulleys except the alternator — With the belt routed on all other pulleys, route it around the tensioner and tensioner area.
12. Compress the tensioner and seat the belt on the alternator — Using your 14mm socket, rotate the tensioner clockwise, slide the belt onto the alternator pulley, then slowly release the tensioner to load the belt.
13. Verify alignment — Check each pulley to confirm the belt is centered in the groove, not riding on the edge.
14. Start the engine and check — Run for 2 minutes. Listen for squealing, which indicates a misrouted belt or misaligned pulley. Belt should run quietly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong belt length — The 2017 Elantra 2.0L takes a specific belt length (842mm for the 6-rib version). Using the wrong length belt won't tension correctly and will slip or squeal immediately.
• Not checking pulleys while the belt is off — A new belt on a bad idler or tensioner pulley will fail quickly. Spin every pulley before reinstalling.
• Misrouting the belt — One pulley skipped and the belt will either be too loose, too tight, or will throw immediately. Check your routing photo at every step.
• Releasing the tensioner before the belt is seated — If you release tension while the belt isn't on the final pulley, the tensioner can snap to its stop hard enough to chip the plastic housing.

Troubleshooting

Belt squealing immediately after install: Most common cause is misrouting — belt riding on pulley edge, or routing bypasses one pulley. Shut off the engine, inspect each pulley carefully, and re-route if needed.

Belt throwing after 5 minutes of driving: The belt routed off one of the smaller idler pulleys. This usually happens when the belt isn't fully seated in the idler groove. Inspect the pulley condition — a worn groove can also cause belt ejection.

New belt cracking immediately: Verify you installed the correct belt. A belt that's too tight (wrong length) will crack at the flex points almost immediately.

Final Thoughts

The serpentine belt on the 2017 Hyundai Elantra costs $15 at the parts store — the $100–$140 shop charge is pure labor for a 30-minute job. Inspect your belt every oil change and replace at the first signs of cracking or glazing (typically 60,000–100,000 miles). For the rest of your Elantra's maintenance needs, see the OwnerDrop Complete DIY Mechanic Library.

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Want the complete step-by-step system for maintaining your 2017 Hyundai Elantra? The Complete DIY Mechanic Library covers oil changes, brakes, electrical, suspension, and more — everything in one place.