Serpentine Belt

[bazzasglovers]

Evening everybody,thought i would change the serp belt this afternoon,nice easy job thought i - but how the $%$£ do you get the new one on,with tensioner fully back i still need about another good inch of belt to get it over the alternator pulley .

 

[thebiglad]

Assuming you've got the right one??!! then when I do this I put the belt around all the pulleys before putting it underneath the tensioner. Goes on in about 30 secs !!

Did you take the viscous fan off, first?

 

[daza]

big bar on the socket pulling the tensioner is easier, or get someone to do the tensioner bit while you get two hands on the job.
failing that loosen the tensioner mount a bit so the whole thing turns a bit- don't forget to re set it and tighten it back up once you're done!

 

[bazzasglovers]

Def the right belt as its the same part no as old one.will have another go in the morning.

 

[bazzasglovers]

NEW BELT NOW FITTED,ALTHOUGH THE REPLACEMENT WAS THE SAME PART No AS OLD ONE HAD TO GET ONE ABOUT 15mm LONGER WEIRD

 

[thebiglad]

NEW BELT NOW FITTED,ALTHOUGH THE REPLACEMENT WAS THE SAME PART No AS OLD ONE HAD TO GET ONE ABOUT 15mm LONGER WEIRD

So, everything is running ok now? No squeaking??

Cheers
Dave

 

[bazzasglovers]

She is running nice and quiet,just that lovely V8 sound to listen too.thanks for the help.

 

[nickh75]

i had this same problem, ended up takin it to a nice mechanic bloke i know down the street who did i for a fiver( i had to help with the tensioner though)
very nice man
but not in a gay way

 

[rollin danny]

I just put new aternator on my 300tdi. pulley on new alternator was to small for old belt.Had to put old pulley on new one to make belt tight.

 

[RayHertford]

I had the same prob. In the end used a VERY long bar to push the tensioner down and the new belt fitted OK. That belt needs to be under a serious amount of tension, I wouldn't have fitted a longer belt.

 

[bazzasglovers]

Even with my tensioner pushed right down i needed another 20mm of belt to get it over the alternator pulley.

 

[thebiglad]

I had the same prob. In the end used a VERY long bar to push the tensioner down and the new belt fitted OK. That belt needs to be under a serious amount of tension, I wouldn't have fitted a longer belt.

I'm a bit confused here Ray, surely to get the new belt on you have to lift the idler wheel so that you can get the belt underneath, don't you

Cheers
Dave

 

[Intestinalworm]

2003 Disco 2 Td5 with ACE and A/C and 210,000km on the clock. Going to buy a Dayco serpentine belt and put it on myself. Few questions I'm hoping to definitively resolve if anyone can help:

1/ Is it a good idea to just change the serpentine belt now regardless (no issues, no squeaks and the original belt looks OK)?

2/ Is it a good idea to remove the viscous fan for easier access (was also thinking of cleaning the intercooler (never done before) and I'm pretty sure if I do that then the fan needs to be removed)?

3/ Those viscous fan spanner(s) are super expensive for a one-off use! Anyone know a better option or where to get a cheap spanner?

4/ While I'm changing the belt is it wise to change-over anything else - tensioner, idler pulley(s)? [I can't change any pulley bearings as I don't have a bearing press.]

5/ I assume the Dayco belt is a good option?

Thanking you in advance for any hints/tips or things to watch out for.

 

[brian47]

In answer to some of your points:-

1. Why do you feel you need to replace the belt? It might have started to stretch, and if you're unsure when it was last done, changing it might be a reasonable idea.
   
2. I believe that the belt can be changed without removing the viscous fan, but the job will be infinitely more difficult.
   
3. The viscous fan spanners are quite a bit larger than the impression you might have in your head. I suppose you could try to make a pair yourself, but without the correct thickness and grade of steel you'd be hard pressed. I don't know where you've looked for them, but try that well known auction website. Mine cost about 20 quid here in the UK, and once you've got them, they won't eat nor drink.
   
4. The tensioner can be replaced quite cheaply and easily, so it does make sense to replace it at the same time. As for the idle wheels, that would depend on the condition of your existing ones, If they ain't broke, why fix 'em?
   
5. I can't comment on which make of belt to use, sorry.

 

[Landmark2]

Beware of cheap belts because the will have a smooth back and are prone to squealing. Genuine have a rough surface to grip better.
Griff

 

[Feathers McGraw]

5/ I assume the Dayco belt is a good option?

Nnnoooo! Contitech only. I tried a Dayco and it squeaked even with a new geniine tensioner. Got a genuine one which is a Contitech and squeak went away.

 

[Intestinalworm]

In answer to some of your points:-

1. Why do you feel you need to replace the belt? It might have started to stretch, and if you're unsure when it was last done, changing it might be a reasonable idea.
   
2. I believe that the belt can be changed without removing the viscous fan, but the job will be infinitely more difficult.
   
3. The viscous fan spanners are quite a bit larger than the impression you might have in your head. I suppose you could try to make a pair yourself, but without the correct thickness and grade of steel you'd be hard pressed. I don't know where you've looked for them, but try that well known auction website. Mine cost about 20 quid here in the UK, and once you've got them, they won't eat nor drink.
   
4. The tensioner can be replaced quite cheaply and easily, so it does make sense to replace it at the same time. As for the idle wheels, that would depend on the condition of your existing ones, If they ain't broke, why fix 'em?
   
5. I can't comment on which make of belt to use, sorry.

1/ Bought vehicle from new - original belt. Will take a good look again, but thought probably worth changing at least for peace of mind.
2/ I think I might have to remove the fan.
3/ Never did metalwork at school so I think I'll need to buy the spanner(s). I have seen single spanners advertised on ebay and also the spanner combo. Any suggestion as to whether a single spanner is good enough or better to use the combo? [Would love to have a local tool library! Hate buying something so pricey for one-off use!]
4/ Will leave idler (now think it's only one idler wheel).
5/ Hard to know re belts - was going to get a Dayco but will now have a look at Contitech (World's largest manufacturer in the non-tyre rubber sector!).

Thanks for the input, much appreciated.

 

[neilly]

3/ Never did metalwork at school so I think I'll need to buy the spanner(s). I have seen single spanners advertised on ebay and also the spanner combo. Any suggestion as to whether a single spanner is good enough or better to use the combo? [Would love to have a local tool library! Hate buying something so pricey for one-off use!]

If the fan has never been off before, the holding tool can make life easier for you, and save a few skinned knuckles / swearing. Have a look around they are not that expensive to buy.

Cheers

 

[brian47]

Any suggestion as to whether a single spanner is good enough or better to use the combo? [Would love to have a local tool library! Hate buying something so pricey for one-off use!]
4/ Will leave idler (now think it's only one idler wheel)

As @neilly has said, "the holding tool can make life easier for you". As a set, you'll have the normal looking spanner to fit the nut on the engine side of the viscous fan and the "holding tool" which has two or three holes in it (depending on where you buy it) which fits over some bolt heads on the "wheel" thing which the fan fastens to.
The nut on the spanner should be undone in the normal anti-clockwise sense, but you might need to give the spanner a bit of a sharp clout with a hammer to get things moving.
If the belt hasn't been changed in the vehicle's life then it might be a reasonable idea to change the tensioner as well while you have the belt off. Easy enough to change, a single bolt in the centre. Turn the bolt head in the centre of the tensioner wheel in the direction of tighten (clockwise) to remove the tension on the belt.
It's probably easier to do the job with two people, that way one person can hold the tension off while the other puts the belt in place.

 

[Intestinalworm]

Waiting on the spanner set (spanner and holding tool) and the Gates belt both via eBay - went with Gates over Dayco in the end; couldn't readily find the Contitech belt online. Hopefully only a week away now. Will keep the original Contitech belt as a spare because it still looks in good nick.