You can look at the belt by removing the upper section. If age has taken a toll you'll see cracking and checking of the rubber. If you leave the belt in place just do a simple retensioning service -- turn the motor in normal direction of rotation a quarter turn from the crankshaft pulley - that will get the slack onto the tensioner side. Loosen the tensioner nut under the rubber plug enough to allow the tensioner to reset position--tighten nut and you're done. -- Dave