Jeep Wrangler Serpentine Belt Replacement Guide
How to change the serpentine accessory belt on a 2018 to 2023 Jeep Wrangler with the 2.0L turbo I4 engine.
ByPaul B. Michaels
Author & Photographer
Auto Mechanic Since 1989
Owners of other Jeep, Dodge and RAM vehicles such as the Grand Cherokee, Compass, Renegade, Gladiator, Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, Wagoneer, Charger, Challenger, Durango, RAM 1500, Promaster, 2500 and 3500 may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.
The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) belt part number is Mopar 05281575AA (also known as 5281575AA).
A few aftermarket replacement serpentine accessory belts that are compatible with the GME 2.0L turbo I4 engine with their part numbers include the following: Gates K060760,ACDelco 6K760 and MyParts PA3-133161.
The tools needed to complete this procedure include an 8mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet, a 10mm socket with a 3/4" drive ratchet and a large 3/8" breaker bar (or a 1/2" drive breaker bar with a 3/8" drive adapter).
The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the left (passenger) side of the engine bay.
To easily access the serpentine belt and the pulleys, you'll need to remove the entire air intake assembly.
Start by removing the screws around the air box cover by rotating them in the counterclockwise direction with an 8mm socket, an extension bar and a 1/4" drive ratchet. (You could also use a Phillips head screwdriver or a flat head screwdriver.)
I also removed a fifth screw located at the middle left of the air box cover. It may have not been necessary to remove it.
Set the filter aside in a safe place.
Remove the 10mm bolt on the left side of the air intake.
Firmly pull out the lower half of the air box from the engine bay to release the rubber friction fasteners.
Next, we'll be removing the plastic air intake tube and rubber hose assembly.
Loosen the hose clamp by turning the fastener in the counterclockwise direction.
Set the air intake assembly aside in a safe place.
Now you'll have easy access to all of the pulleys and the serpentine belt.
Locate the square 3/8" drive opening at the bottom of the tensioner assembly.
Hold the tensioner in the released position with your right hand.
With the other hand, very carefully slip the old belt off the alternator pulley.
Warning - Do NOT place your fingers or hand in between the belt and any of the pulleys!
The OEM belt was marked as part number Mopar 05281575AA (42095T Gates 6PK1924).
Lower the new belt down into the front of the engine bay.
Continue rotating the rest of the new belt around the various pulleys.
Keep in mind that the ribbed side of the belt should be wrapped around the ribbed pulleys.
With your other hand, release the tensioner by rotating the ratchet in the clockwise direction (to the right).
If you click on Picture # 44, you can see a white arrow showing the correct direction to rotate the ratchet.
Double check that the new belt is properly routed and fully seated on all of the pulleys.
Replace the bolt on the left edge of the air intake by tightening it in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a ratchet until it is snug.
Tighten the four 8mm screws in the clockwise direction until they are snug.
Tighten the hose clamp in the clockwise direction.
Tighten the two 10mm bolts in the clockwise direction until they are snug.
Double check that you have reinstalled the entire air intake assembly properly and all of the fasteners are snug.
To test the new belt, start the engine and listen closely for any strange sounds.
If you do hear a weird noise, immediately turn off the ignition and check the belt routing again.
There is no defined service interval for changing the serpentine belt in the owner's manual. I recommend checking the old belt for signs of wear (cracks, fraying or chunks of rubber missing) every 15,000 to 30,000 miles.
It should be changed every 60,000 miles if you often drive in rural areas or remote places that are far from roadside assistance services. If you mostly drive in the city or suburbs where you could get help quickly, you could go as long as 100,000 miles before changing the belt.
Be sure to write down the belt change in your vehicle's service records.
For more, please check out all of my 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler DIY Maintenance Guides.
