Drive belt / Alternator belt
Discussion
So driving along this afternoon after spending all morning sorting out a few problems on the MR2 the battery light and engine temp warning light comes on. So i pull over to find the alternator belt has snapped clean in 2.
Anyone got any experience with changing said belt on the MK1 MR2 that can give me an idea of how awkward it might be?
Thanks in advance
Anyone got any experience with changing said belt on the MK1 MR2 that can give me an idea of how awkward it might be?
Thanks in advance
It's a very easy job.
-Remove the two small rubber hoses from the expansion tank, and pull the tank upwards to remove it (there are no fasteners).
- Slacken the adjuster bolt on top of the alternator (12mm spanner).
- Slacken the pivot bolt at the bottom nearside of the alternator, (17mm spanner), you'll have to feel for it as it's not easily visible.
- Rock the alternator towards the engine, which will provide enough slack to fit a new drive belt. It's route goes around the larger diameter crank nose pulley, over the top of the water pump pulley, around the alternator pulley and back down to the crank nose pulley.
- Put some tension into the drive belt by pushing the alternator away from the engine as you re-tighten the 12mm adjuster bolt. I find it's easier to gently lever between the alternator and drive belt as i tighten the alternator belt. You should be able to twist the belt by a quarter turn at its longest run (i.e. between the alternator and crank nose pulleys) to confirm suitable tension.
- Re-tighten 17mm alternator pivot bolt, re-fit expansion tank and re-connect the two small hoses.
-Bask in mechanical glory.
It might be wise to remove the upper cam belt cover (five bolts, 10mm spanner) to have a look at the timing belt condition/tension. I did last week to find major slack, even between the camshaft pulleys! Frightening for an engine that revs so high!
Edit: You're joking, i was doing this exact job in Milton Keynes when you posted! I will be in MK again on friday evening / saturday. If you would like a hand, PM me!
-Remove the two small rubber hoses from the expansion tank, and pull the tank upwards to remove it (there are no fasteners).
- Slacken the adjuster bolt on top of the alternator (12mm spanner).
- Slacken the pivot bolt at the bottom nearside of the alternator, (17mm spanner), you'll have to feel for it as it's not easily visible.
- Rock the alternator towards the engine, which will provide enough slack to fit a new drive belt. It's route goes around the larger diameter crank nose pulley, over the top of the water pump pulley, around the alternator pulley and back down to the crank nose pulley.
- Put some tension into the drive belt by pushing the alternator away from the engine as you re-tighten the 12mm adjuster bolt. I find it's easier to gently lever between the alternator and drive belt as i tighten the alternator belt. You should be able to twist the belt by a quarter turn at its longest run (i.e. between the alternator and crank nose pulleys) to confirm suitable tension.
- Re-tighten 17mm alternator pivot bolt, re-fit expansion tank and re-connect the two small hoses.
-Bask in mechanical glory.
It might be wise to remove the upper cam belt cover (five bolts, 10mm spanner) to have a look at the timing belt condition/tension. I did last week to find major slack, even between the camshaft pulleys! Frightening for an engine that revs so high!
Edit: You're joking, i was doing this exact job in Milton Keynes when you posted! I will be in MK again on friday evening / saturday. If you would like a hand, PM me!
Edited by MK_Bob on Tuesday 24th March 12:07
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