Puma (1.7+AC) Fan Belt Change

[cj_eds]

As the cold mornings draw in our Puma has been giving the usual sign of a worn fan belt and is squealing like a banshee. In the fading light outside I've just stuck my head under the bonnet and it looks like you're only getting to the fan belt if you've got an arm the width of a matchstick or remove the engine mount. Also couldn't see a tensioner in sight?
Anyone changed one - is it eaier to get in from underneath if I get the car jacked up and remove the plastics? And is it a case of loosening the alternator to slacken the belt?

[James998]

There should be a tensioner that is 13mm, ideally you want a long ring spanner, something like these;



I've got a set and theyre one of the most useful tools ive got kicking about.

If it's the version without the tensioner (and is a stretchy belt) which I don't think it should be as i've changed a 1.7 puma belt with air con before and it had a tensioner, but if it is then good luck. You get a small metal tool with the new belt that you sit on the edge of the pulley, and rotate the engine using the bolt on the crank pulley to 'roll' the belt on. Sounds very easy in practice, but really isnt! Also, it's easier to do from underneath.

Edited by James998 on Saturday 22 November 16:47

[cj_eds]

From what I saw earlier and from what you've just described, it feels like I'm about to embark on a Haynes 1-spanner mission that'll leave me in A&E...