Helicoil Fan Belt Tensioning Arm?

[biddlesby]

Hello! This is my first post on this forum, I'm happy to be here.

I'm a new T25 owner, and I wanted to get one to learn more about cars and engines (uhoh).

The alternator wasn't giving out much juice, so I decided to replace it. Unfortunately I damaged the thread on the screw at the bottom of the tensioning arm; the one that goes into the aluminium casing around the engine. I just about got everything tight, and it lasted a few hundred miles, but then the fan belt became loose again.

I'm wondering if I should put in a helicoil. The problem is, the access is really difficult, as the back of the body work is in the way.

I thought I would come and find some experts for advice. Would I need to drop the engine to install my helicoil? I thinking I could just cut a large hole in the back and then weld it back on again afterwards!! If I do need to drop the engine, is it fairly uncomplicated to do?

Thank you in advance

[itchyfeet]

have a look on ebay for a right angle drill chuck.

use it with a battery drill.

is it a wbx?
if so no need to drop engine.

[kevtherev]

Hello! This is my first post on this forum, I'm happy to be here.

I'm a new T25 owner, and I wanted to get one to learn more about cars and engines (uhoh).

The alternator wasn't giving out much juice, so I decided to replace it. Unfortunately I damaged the thread on the screw at the bottom of the tensioning arm; the one that goes into the aluminium casing around the engine. I just about got everything tight, and it lasted a few hundred miles, but then the fan belt became loose again.

I'm wondering if I should put in a helicoil. The problem is, the access is really difficult, as the back of the body work is in the way.

I thought I would come and find some experts for advice. Would I need to drop the engine to install my helicoil? I thinking I could just cut a large hole in the back and then weld it back on again afterwards!! If I do need to drop the engine, is it fairly uncomplicated to do?

Thank you in advance

You don't need to replace the alternator if it's only the regulator that's shagged, BTW