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My mechanical knowledge is zero so apologies in advance if this is a silly question.
My alternator belt is loose, making a loud screeching noise and all the rest of it.
I have been looking on Just Kampers for a replacement one but not sure which one to get as my T25 (1990) hasn't got the original engine, it is a 1.9td diesel engine, could a kind person here please have a look and link me to the right one?
Couple of ideas for you:
Look at your existing belt closely, for a manufacturers name and code number. IF this is clearly visible then you can research getting same BUT do check to see if the alternator is roughly mid way along it's slider/adjustment arm first, as no point getting it if it's actually too long anyway (thus causing your squeal)
Secondly you could remove it and take it with you to your local motor factors (independent ones are often best) and they can measure it and offer up a new one as comparison.
Unfortunately it's often the case with any of these vans that much has been meddled with over the years so what might be stock standard on one van is not on another!
Oh, and always a good idea to check the water pump bearings closely whilst belt is off, as it COULD be that that's actually squealing (usually til it warms up a bit)....
1.9 DG Bilbos 'Arragon' Hitop LPG'd by Gasure
1.9 TDi Golf Mk4 Estate
Member no 3288
When you say its squealing because the belt is loose, have you tried tightening it? It should have about half and inch of movement in the longest length between pulleys. Adjust it by loosening the alternator bolt that goes though the slotted bracket, lever the alternator away from the engine and retighten. Don't make the belt too tight though, that will cause the water pump and alternator bearings grief.
Bear in mind what both have said regarding water pump. Its very, very easy to mistake belt squeal for noisy pump and as tightening belt will shut the pump up for a while, you can be easily fooled. As said, DO check water pump with belt off, feeling for any rocking movement. The noise tends to occur more in Winter months, often when just starting or pulling off.
If it DOES turn out to be the pump and you leave it, if it fails, the cost can be several times more than the cost of a new water pump and additional antifreeze.
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Thanks for all the helpful information.
I checked and it looks like I have alot more room on the alternator slider to tighten the belt.
i'm going to take your advice and check the water pump so I might aswell just replace the belt as I found one for £5 online.
I checked the existing belt and there was a code on it ''6215MC'' so i'm guessing any belt with that code is the right one.
a little bit off topic now:
I posted on here on a different topic about how my coolant tank has a little bit of air at the top, some people suggested what this may be already, could it be possible that the loose belt is causing the water pump to lose power and not pump water from the top up tank correctly?
crookedmouth123 wrote:a little bit off topic now:
I posted on here on a different topic about how my coolant tank has a little bit of air at the top, some people suggested what this may be already, could it be possible that the loose belt is causing the water pump to lose power and not pump water from the top up tank correctly?
The simple answer to that is no.
The water is not pumped from the top up tank, it is sucked from there by the low pressure created when the coolant system liquid shrinks during the cooling down phase after the engine is stopped.
My mechanical knowledge is zero so apologies in advance if this is a silly question.
