How to change an alternator belt!!

[bernard1973]

The campervan has got a 1.6 diesel engine (non-turbo) and I thought it would be a simple job to change the alternator belt (the old ones a bit frayed and I'm off to Scotland soon). I've taken the alternator off, but the lower fanbelt is stopping it coming off - does this have to come off and is there an easier way?!

Cheers

[CovKid]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcB5-jSqdH0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[more speed]

How bad are you going to feel when Bernard cant post anymore, due to lack of fingers.

[billy739]

you need to split the middle pulley. 3 allen key head bolts 6mm

they can be tight, and you shim it up to adjust it . shims already fitted between parts of pulley and behind nut , DO NOT discard unused shims as many do , put them on the outside of the pulley

sometimes they can be very tight and a pain to undo , get some new bolts /spring wawshers from vw or your local bolt supplier first, and use a quality 6mm allen key tool!

its possible to swap to the later single belt system as most vans have the correct pulleys ready , then its just a case of adjusting one belt!


reason there is 2 belts? because it allows the alternator to spin a lot faster than one belt , thus your poor slow diesel will still charge the battery!

[bernard1973]

Thanks for the advice - I didn't realise it was going to be such a pain in the a**e. What's the point of carrying a spare - I wouldn't fancy changing one of these on a french motorway in the middle of the night

[billy739]

at least if you have the parts needed you wont have to wait 3 days for them to be sent via post , wherever you are in the world!


also hence the reason for a good service before you depart, or in fact just regular servicing!

[Dantes]

Just changed my water pump belt over to a new one (C156 7/5), left two shims out, with five between and it feels tight. Could it be too tight and create wear on the bearings of the water pump? easy to change again with practice, but should I use all the shims with a new belt (and yes I understand that not everyone uses the same size belt). Being tight means its also hard to know if I have tightened the allens bolts enough, or they are just squeezing the new belt. Thought I'd ask. Cheers.

[Hacksawbob]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcB5-jSqdH0

video is not there anymore