raising the post back from the dead. so i changed my belts. but my alternator belt is pretty loose and i can feel it. but when i try and tighten the tensioner it clicks.. i don't want to force it. what should i do

 

is the head on the bolt bent? i ran into this issue with my car. you MAY need to replace the tensioner... it's maybe six or seven bucks from for all three parts.

if you can snap some pics that would help, too.

 

how do you tighten on loosen the belts?

 

with their respective tensioners.

 

ok i might sound completly dumb but how? also how do i know if its tight enough or too loose

 

Technically you're supposed to use a tension measuring tool. However, I don't know of anyone who uses those. All I do is feel the tension on the old belt before I remove it, then shoot for that same feel when the new one goes in.

All tensioners are different. IIRC, on your lancer, there's a threaded tensioner on your alternator. Other cars have auto-tensioners, which are basically spring loaded arms that automatically hold the belt at the right tension.

 

is the tensioner the part that has two screws going threw it?