Alternator belt & fuel rail removal

[Captain Beaky]

Equipped with a spare belt and a sense of adventure I thought I'd replace my broken alternator drive belt.

So, I've taken off the purple pipes and I think I can see the bolt to adjust the tension but there is no way I can get an allen key on to it, or thread the belt on for that matter. I assume I need to remove the fuel rail (?) but, apart from the two obvious alloy strips I can't figure out how it is held in place.

Any pointers please ?

[TooTall Paul]

Captain. You have to remove the fuel rail and injectors, this is held on by four 10mm bolts on the inlet manifold. then undo the adjuster under the alternator. Its a tight squeeze but do'able.

Cheers Paul

[Captain Beaky]

Thanks for that Paul but I'm still mystified. I have undone the retaining bolts holding the strips over the rail and it still feels reasonably well attached.

The only thing I can see holding it in place now is the injectors themselves but I'm reluctant to pull too hard as I don't know how they are held in place.

[longbow]

Pull...... they're only held in by rubber orings. On the 4.2 anyway, once the 4 allen bolts are out, thats it.

[Captain Beaky]

longbow said:

Pull...... they're only held in by rubber orings. On the 4.2 anyway, once the 4 allen bolts are out, thats it.

Gulp. Anyone care to confirm for the 4.5 before I start hauling ?

[TooTall Paul]

Yep PULL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Julian64]

Pull, but first squeeze some fairy liquid around the bottom of the injectors to aid removal of the O rings.

[Captain Beaky]

Thanks, I'm getting the message that I should pull...

I assume there is enough play in the connections to allow the inverted V formation of the injectors to come out as one ? Or is there a better sequence than just yank the metal pipe ?

[trooperiziz]

TooTall Paul said:

Yep PULL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm looking forward to the next post being

"How the bloody hell do I get the injectors back in? The o-ring keep dropping down into the pistons or not seating in the slot!"

[Julian64]

I'm looking forward to the post where he realises we're all pulling his leg, and that the fuel rail has just come out in two pieces.

[TooTall Paul]

Julian64 said:

I'm looking forward to the post where he realises we're all pulling his leg, and that the fuel rail has just come out in two pieces.

[Captain Beaky]

Julian64 said:

I'm looking forward to the post where he realises we're all pulling his leg, and that the fuel rail has just come out in two pieces.

Two pieces you say ? I'll get the hacksaw...

[trackcar]

mark .. I've just tried to call you .. i'm in the office for anothe hour if you want to call
joo

[Captain Beaky]

No doubt you've been on the edge of your seats waiting for an update on this. I finally found time to complete the belt replacement last night and I'm pleased to say I didn't break or lose anything and the car now runs happily without the battery light on

My top tips for anyone else attempting this:

- Ask your friendly neighbourhood expert for advice and reassurance - thanks Jools and PH

- Disconnect the battery. Sparks and fuel from the rail don't go well together in these circumstances.

- Space is tight around the alternator and the air-con gets in the way so a selection of different length extension bars for a socket set would be very useful. Similarly a good quality socket driver with a fine ratchet would have helped (I know, workman/tools etc)

- It's possible, though not easy, to fit the belt without removing the alternator mounts

- The bolts holding the alternator don't have captive nuts so you need to get a spanner on each end. Took me a while to realise that...

- You can remove the injectors from the mainfolds by just pulling. Quite hard. Yes, really.