Fan Belt

[pos]

Hello,

Perhaps the easiest thing to do on any land rover has got me a little stumped. Following my 2.5 N/A timing belt change, I fitted a new fan belt. The belt had stretched a little and the temperature had started reaching 1/2 as opposed to between 1/4 and 1/2 as usual. I've moved the alternator over a bit to tighten the belt, but it's still making a quiet squealing noise when I drive and the temperature is still reaching 1/2 way.

My question is: Is this my fan belt that's still not tight, or do I have another problem? The top radiator pipe is nice and warm, whilst the bottom one is almost cold so I assume the pump is working properly, just not spinning as fast as it could be with the slipping belt. The belt is tight on either side of the alternator pulley, but there's a little more slack on the longer travel between the crank pulley and the water pump pulley (as you'd expect) and I can push it in about 1CM at the centre. I can't get any more adjustment on the alternator because the belt is restricting it. What's up!?

Thanks in advance for any help!
-Pos

 

[Trewey]

sounds to me like yer water pump is on the way out.

 

[pos]

I've only just had that in pieces though, and it was fine before!

 

[Trewey]

I've only just had that in pieces though, and it was fine before!

how can yer tell? in my experience they go suddenly when they go.

 

[pos]

bollocks £25 for a new one.

 

[Trewey]

i might be wrong!
try some belt dressing on yer belt first.

 

[Trewey]

http://www.google.co.uk/url?q=http:...AAAAAA&usg=AFQjCNGIQO1TXrCxhGRdZbhcwe-RjIiLKw

 

[pos]

Cheers Trewy. Expensive stuff though that!

The pulleys are all very polished looking cos I had the wrong sized belt on before. Do you recon I could scuff them with a little sand paper whilst the engine is turning over?

 

[Trewey]

if yer really really don't like yer fingers.....

 

[pos]

Wont try that then!

 

[Trewey]

sometimes WD40 helps on the belts - dunt last long though.

 

[chris_mack]

how did u tension the belt? try doin it with a bigger bar !

 

[pos]

used wooden end of a hammer against the engine block. It wont go any tighter! Might chop a broom in half and try that!

 

[Trewey]

1 cm of movement on the longest run sounds about right - too tight and you'll knacker yer alt bearings.
best way is to twist the belt, in the centre of the longest run, with yer thumb and finger. you should just be able to twist it half a turn, if the tension is right.

 

[pos]

sometimes WD40 helps on the belts - dunt last long though.

Would WD40 not make it slip more?

 

[Trewey]

dont soak it and spray it onto the outside of the belt - it makes the rubber more flexible so that it grips better.

 

[pos]

Alright thanks for all the advice!

 

[pos]

Just one last thought. If it's my water pump thats on its last legs, are there any tell tale signs on tick over? The squealing can not be heard on tick over, and there's no apparent noise from the water pump on tick over or when giving it some revs. It's not dripping either!

 

[Sean]

maybe there is air in the system

 

[pos]

quite possible but I've bled the hole thing countless times over the last 2 months. Fully bled and refilled the radiator twice. Fully bled and refilled the cab heater, not yet bled the engine block mind. How do I properly expel air from the system? Last time I flushed it, it didn't start to overheat.