2.6 AC Idler

If your 2.6l Isuzu is breaking or having AC belts pop off, your AC idler may be to blame. The idler is the pulley at the bottom of the engine on the passenger's side that is adjustable to ensure that the belt is tensioned properly. This idler can be worn out, overtightened, or installed improperly. If you have the automatic transmission, make sure that the idler is installed before the bracket that holds the transmission cooler lines onto the engine. If that bracket is installed first, the idler will be crooked and AC belt won't ride properly and may only last few months.

Second make sure that you have tensioned the belt properly. If correct, you should be able to press the top of the belt (in the middle between the crank shaft pulley and the AC compressor) down about 1/2". If the adjuster is still intact, you can loosen the pulley (with the 22mm bolt on the front) and then tighten the 10mm adjuster until the belt is tight. If the adjuster is broken, you will need a helper to lean down on someonething that has been set on the adjuster while you tighten the 22mm bolt on the pulley. I use a long socket extension with a 10mm socket on the end so that it doesn't slip off of the adjuster.