2015 Ford Explorer Serpentine Belt: Routing, Replacement, & Part Numbers

Quick answer:

• Belt Length: Varies by engine – see below.
• Rib Count: 6-rib (all engines)
• 3.5L Duratec (Non-EcoBoost) V6:
  • OEM Belt PN: F2GZ-8620-A (Ford)
  • Aftermarket Cross-refs: Gates K060930, Dayco 5060930, Continental 4060930
  • Auto-Tensioner PN: F2GZ-6B209-A (Ford), Gates 38327, Dayco 89332
  • Idler Pulley PN: F9GY-6C348-BA (Ford), Gates 36173, Dayco 89006
• 3.5L EcoBoost V6:
  • OEM Belt PN: DG1Z-8620-A (Ford)
  • Aftermarket Cross-refs: Gates K060875, Dayco 5060875, Continental 4060875
  • Auto-Tensioner PN: DG1Z-6B209-A (Ford), Gates 38507, Dayco 89354
  • Idler Pulley PN: F9GY-6C348-BA (Ford), Gates 36173, Dayco 89006
• 2.3L EcoBoost I4 (introduced late 2015):
  • OEM Belt PN: DG9Z-8620-A (Ford)
  • Aftermarket Cross-refs: Gates K060690, Dayco 5060690, Continental 4060690
  • Auto-Tensioner PN: DG9Z-6B209-A (Ford), Gates 38507, Dayco 89354
  • Idler Pulley PN: F6DZ-8678-A (Ford), Gates 36209, Dayco 89010

Belt Routing

The 2015 Ford Explorer utilizes a single serpentine belt to drive all its accessories. We highly recommend taking a clear photograph of your existing belt's routing before attempting removal. While we can't provide an image, here's a detailed text-based description for the various engine options. Note that the general path is similar, but specific pulley locations may vary slightly.

For 3.5L Duratec (Non-EcoBoost) V6 & 3.5L EcoBoost V6:

1. Begin at the crankshaft pulley (the large pulley at the bottom, typically with multiple ribs).
2. From the crankshaft, the belt travels up and to the right to the A/C compressor pulley (usually low on the passenger side).
3. From the A/C compressor, the belt goes up and slightly to the left to an idler pulley (a smooth, flat pulley typically located above the A/C compressor).
4. From this idler pulley, the belt then routes straight up to the alternator pulley (the highest pulley, usually on the driver's side).
5. After the alternator, the belt goes down and to the driver's side to the power steering pump pulley.
6. From the power steering pump, the belt continues down and towards the center to the water pump pulley.
7. Finally, the belt loops around the automatic tensioner pulley (a spring-loaded pulley, often on the lower-center or passenger side, usually with a square drive opening for a breaker bar), which maintains proper belt tension, before returning to the crankshaft pulley.

For 2.3L EcoBoost I4:

1. Start at the crankshaft pulley.
2. From the crankshaft, the belt goes up and to the right to the A/C compressor pulley.
3. From the A/C compressor, the belt travels up and to the left to the alternator pulley (typically high on the passenger side).
4. From the alternator, the belt goes down and to the driver's side to the water pump pulley.
5. Next, the belt routes down to an idler pulley.
6. From the idler pulley, the belt wraps around the automatic tensioner pulley (usually located towards the bottom-center), before returning to the crankshaft pulley.

How to Replace the Serpentine Belt

Replacing the serpentine belt on your 2015 Ford Explorer is a manageable DIY job for those with some mechanical experience. Here’s a general outline:

1. Safety First: Ensure the engine is cool and the vehicle is securely parked with the engine off. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
2. Locate the Belt Tensioner: Identify the automatic belt tensioner. It will have a square hole designed to accept a 3/8-inch drive breaker bar or a specialized serpentine belt tool.
3. Relieve Tension: Insert your breaker bar or serpentine belt tool into the square opening of the tensioner. Gently rotate the tensioner to relieve tension on the belt. Pay attention to the direction it moves – typically clockwise or counter-clockwise to loosen.
4. Remove Old Belt: While holding tension off the belt, carefully slip the belt off one of the pulleys (e.g., the alternator or idler pulley). Once it's off a pulley, you can slowly release the tensioner and remove the old belt entirely from all pulleys.
5. Route New Belt: Refer to your photograph or the