How hard should it be to fit a drive belt? (200TDi)

Hi mateys,
My first job on my new toy and it's not going well so far. First off the Haynes book is not very helpful. Have downloaded more accurate instructions for elsewhere.

I got a new fan/drive belt from Halfords so that's gotta be good quality, right? It's a HB1025a. I read elsewhere that the length is supposed to be 1025 so I believe this should fit.

My old belt was completely gone - disintegrated and left on the road somewhere - so I didn't have that for comparison.

I slackened off the PAS pump and alternator okay, but I am struggling to get the new belt on. I could force it but apparently that shouldn't be necessary.

Please let me know what is a suitable amount of force to use when fitting a new belt. Newbie warning: I ain't no mechanical jedi!

Cheers,
Raith

put the belt over the pullys and onto the edge of water pump pully then turn the engine with a spanner and it will ride on

Shouldn't need to force it....certainly don't use anything to lever it over the pully else you may damage it. With the Pas pump freed and on minimum adjustment and the belt on the crank and Pas pulley it should it should feed over the waterpump pulley, turning it a little to help it slip over

Spunka said:

put the belt over the pullys and onto the edge of water pump pully then turn the engine with a spanner and it will ride on

Click to expand...

I used more wordses so tis a betterer answer

there is veriations of this method turning alt etc,

blue beasty said:

I used more wordses so tis a betterer answer

Click to expand...

I was typing with my nose

Once fitted don't forget to adjust the belt tension after a few days motoring

Alright lads. Finally got it on there.

Thanks for advice about turning engine with spanner. Think I need the right tool for that (a HUGE socket?) coz I can see an adjustable wrench doing damage to that.

The old one must have stretched a lot or been longer coz the alternator is nowhere near where it started, even accounting for the fact that I haven't got it tight enough.

Will check it after next few journeys and tighten if necessary. Had to lever it with a chunk of wood. It looks easy to work on coz seems like plenty of space in engine bay, but it's so deep it's actually a right pain.

Cheers.