hi all,

 

I believe the water pump has gone on my 1.4 mpi and I am ready to fit a new one but I can't seem to get the tension off the auxiliary belt in order to remove it. I have found the tensioner but as it doesn't have a bolt head on it I can't think of any way of gripping it with enough force to get leverage without damaging anything.

 

is there any other way of releasing tension? or am I missing something obvious?

 

any help would be a great help

thanks

Hay there what I done to get it off, is to undo the bolts on the other side a (spring loaded bit) and it will make it go slack. To get it back on without the belt on do up the bolts and there is a little square hole in the spring loaded bit. I found an old 3/8 racket extension heat it up till warm enough to be hit with a hammer till it goes in the hole then stick you racket and pull it to the bumper as hard as you can

Hope this helps

Tom

thanks mate,

 

I managed to get an adjustable spanner on the bend at the pulley end and as long as it was tightened on enough I could use that to loosen the belt, but thinking about it your way might've been easier lol

I have an MPI and it doesn't have an aux belt tensioner - you just adjust the belt tension by moving the alternator. Yours must be different - maybe has aircon?

I have an MPI and it doesn't have an aux belt tensioner - you just adjust the belt tension by moving the alternator. Yours must be different - maybe has aircon?

 

Aircon models have an auto tensioner.

 

models without aircon fitted have their Aux belts tensioned by adjusting the position of the alternator, have the bolts slightly loose apply a sensible amount of tension, then tighten them.

Aircon models have an auto tensioner.

 

 

 

Ah, cheers.

 

MPIs are so underpowered that I don't think I'd want aircon on mine

yes mine does have aircon... its never worked properly but its there lol

Anyone know what 'the right amount of tension' is?

Preferably without having to resort to loads of expensive tools.

The spring applies the tension, you don't have to worry about it.

I don't  have air con - have to set tension manually via alternator clamp.

In that case it's very difficult to quantify belt tension, if it's a flat ribbed belt then tight enough so you can just twist it ninety degrees is tight enough.

In that case it's very difficult to quantify belt tension, if it's a flat ribbed belt then tight enough so you can just twist it ninety degrees is tight enough.

That gives me something to go on. Thanks.