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fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 09:45
by elmo makaroy
my fan belt on my bus has snapped, the van is still running but obviously i need to get the new belt fitted asap,
just been looking online but i cant find much info on how to go about doing this, can anyone talk me through it?

also the altenator pulley is moving freely but the fan pulley doesnt turn if i try to turn it by hand, is this normal or have i broke my van?

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 09:56
by Cruz
Doesn't that belt drive the water pump too on a DG?

Undo the alternator tensioner bracket, remove belt, fit new belt, adjust and tighten tensioner bracket to specified tension, bang head on wall as a reminder not to be stupid enough to ever let it get in such a state where it will snap again.

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 10:05
by elmo makaroy
its a cu Aircooled so no water to worry about, only thing i cant understand is how to get the belt over the altenator, im guessing i have to remove the fan attached to the front of it?

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 10:08
by Hacksawbob
Its Aircooled so no water pump! If you mean the fan with the plastic mesh over it centre rear,

Image

no you would not be able to turn that fan by hand as it is connected to the pistons inside the engine. This drives your alternator and the fan cools the engine by being rotated with the engine. Snapping the belt is not so bad on a CU So long as your battery didn't get too flattened by the experience. I cant remember how the alt is on the CU does the puyyley wheel come of in two halfs with spacers in between the spacers determine the tightness of the belt. less means tighter.

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 10:09
by elmo makaroy
also were can i get a new belt from? do halfords sell em?

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 10:09
by Cruz
elmo makaroy wrote:its a cu Aircooled so no water to worry about, only thing i cant understand is how to get the belt over the altenator, im guessing i have to remove the fan attached to the front of it?
Sorry never noticed your sig saying it was an aircold

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 10:33
by elmo makaroy
right ive sourced a belt wich i am now going to pick up, ive been told i just loosen the altenator put the belt on and do it back up tight, sounds simple enough, i know it wont be though

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 10:37
by ermie571
I'm a girly and I did mine when it snapped.

If I remember correctly, the worse bit was loosening the alternator. Was an allen key and on pretty damn tight!!

Lining up all the plastics afterwards takes patience too....

Em
x

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 11:49
by BOXY
Image


Alternator drivebelt - removal and refitting
1 Disconnect the battery negative terminal.
2 Withdraw the heater blower housing boot
3 Undo the retaining screws and remove the heater elbow
4 Undo the three bolts and lift off the protective grille and timing scale from the fan housing.
5 Lift out the heater blower distributor pipe
6 Slacken the alternator mounting bolt and tensioning bracket adjustment bolt, move the alternator towards the fan housing and slip the drivebelt off the fan pulley.
7 Remove the socket headed bolts and the alternator mounting bolt securing the heater blower housing to the alternator.
8 Slip the drivebelt out from between the alternator pulley and heater blower housing, feed it round the housing and remove it from the engine.
9 Fit the new drivebelt then reattach the heater blower housing to the alternator.
10 With the drivebelt in place adjust the tension to 15mm centre deflection then refit the remaining components using the reverse of the removal sequence.

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 04 Apr 2011, 16:59
by elmo makaroy
i have just succesfully changed my first fanbelt , just wanted to say thankyou every1 who helped me i wouldnt of been able to do it without you guys, and ermie u were right that allen key bolt is a bloody nioghtmare to get off!

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 25 Apr 2013, 14:14
by stevo1980
The 15 mm centre deflection, is that 15 mm movement of the belt, say if i push down with my finger on the top of the belt?

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 25 Apr 2013, 18:06
by BOXY
Yes. Push in the middle of the run between the pulleys. 15mm is the downward travel under finger pressure. If it's guitar string tight it'll load up the bearing on the alternator. If it's slapper knicker elastic loose the belt will strip its teeth or just fall off. Somewhere between the two extremes should work ok

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 25 Apr 2013, 20:57
by stevo1980
Thanks mate got 2 belts getting delivered tomorrow so going to fit a new one before goin to devon for a week, first big drive in this van so fingers crossed, sent all winter getting it right, just better stay right.

Re: fan belt snapped, how do i replace?

Posted: 25 Apr 2013, 21:56
by MattBW
After my alternator went driving to Hay on Wye, I've made the decision to keep spare belts in the van Driving with ever dimming lights at dusk was quite an experience. If it had been my fanbelt I'd have been stuffed as Im water cooled