Trying to fit a new serpetine belt - Argh help!

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

Hi guys,

My belt was proclaimed as knackered by my auto electrician so today I started fitting the new one.

I looked at a guide online and started work - Got the old one off by loosening the pulled on the tensioner and routed the new belt through after checking that both the old and the new belt were the same length.

I now can't find a way of getting the belt over the final tensioner pulley!

I took off the puller to see what's what but there is no obvious way I can see of adjusting it or getting it all back together.

Any steers would be gratefully appreciated and the picture of where I am up to is below.

Yours hopefully!

o

jamesmartin · Dec 23, 2014

its often a tight squeeze and often helps if someone pulls the tensioner fully back whilst you slide belt under the tensioner pulley removing the pulley as youve done wont help as thats the bolt you use to pull tensioner back with

biketeacherdave · Dec 23, 2014

Put the tensioner back together tighten up the bolt and with a long PRI bar attached just pull it as far over as you can then slip the belt on. Simples

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

Hi Dave,

Do you mean prying the belt or persuading the tension itself?

I don't see how the tensioner works to be honest, its not car exactly how it keeps the belt tight (The previous belt was quite slack hence the reason I have tried to replace it)

Cheers again for the help guys,

o

neilly · Dec 23, 2014

Put the pulley back on the tensioner,

IIRC it is a 15mm spanner you use to tighten the pulley on the tensioner, once it is tight, put the spanner so that the other end is pointed towards the tensioner, then you can apply force on the end of it in a downwards motion, this will cause the pulley to rise and then you will have room to fit the belt,

hope this helps.

cheers

james6546 · Dec 23, 2014

The tensioner should be spring loaded, so once you have put it back together you can put a socket on the bolt that holds the tensioner pulley on and turn it anti clockwise enough to get the belt on. Should be easy really

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

Guys, this is great thank you - I'll go give it a go now!

DavidSally · Dec 23, 2014

O..
It would be a help if you put your location in your profile - someone local may give you a hand

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

Hi all,

Just been outside swearing a bit! I see the logic but I reckon I need to get down the gym a bit as can't get the tensioner to budge even a bit.

I'm only using a spanner though so could be time to buy a breaker bar? I have tried a fairly big socket and ratchet too but space is limited as its a Disco 300TDi In my 90 meaning the fan gets in the way...

Advice from this point appreciated guys!

o

jamesmartin · Dec 23, 2014

you are pulling on pulley bolt not tensioner securing nut and pulling anti clockwise ,just move fan till theres a gap

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

Good suggestion, have added my location!

DavidSally · Dec 23, 2014

Another thought - there are two types of belt, one slightly longer than the other. made to fit over different sized pulleys. Are you sure you have the correct one?

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

Oops, good shout James, onwards to try again!...

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

Have checked the lengths and they are the same but will check again just to be sure

biketeacherdave · Dec 23, 2014

o.. said:
Hi all,

Just been outside swearing a bit! I see the logic but I reckon I need to get down the gym a bit as can't get the tensioner to budge even a bit.

I'm only using a spanner though so could be time to buy a breaker bar? I have tried a fairly big socket and ratchet too but space is limited as its a Disco 300TDi In my 90 meaning the fan gets in the way...

Advice from this point appreciated guys!

o

see my post pri bar !!!! your trying to push against the tensioner a spanner or socket rench aint gonna do it

Kwakerman · Dec 23, 2014

Watch and copy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnVa-W-wnVs

Discokids · Dec 23, 2014

Before you continue, I would strongly advise you remove the spanner and turn it around. The open end is far more likely to slip off the nut with your entire body weight behind it and it WILL hurt. Then you can add a second spanner to it to double your leverage. Alternatlively, Halfords do a 2' breaker for about £28.

owl · Dec 23, 2014

If as you say the old belt was loose, isthe tensioner siezed ?

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

Cheers for the assistance guys!

Yes I think it may be seized in fact as its proving a bu**** to move - I'm going to get a breaker bar first to see if it moves then if no joy will shell out the bucks to get a tensioner - They are really not cheap are they

Going to hunt for a breaker bar tomorrow locally to me

Keep the ideas coming please, i'm off to watch that youtube vid that was kindly posted

o

o.. · Dec 23, 2014

That video link was great, thanks Kwakerman!

I reckon my tensioner is seized which is why the problem arose in the first place. Is there any way of lubricating or freeing it?

Cheers guys!

Trying to fit a new serpetine belt - Argh help!

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