Changing a fan belt...

[page3]

I've noticed for some time that the fan belt on my S appears to be fraying. 99% of it looks brand new, but a small (1 - 2 inch) bit of the fabric material is peeling off. If this is trimmed it frays another few inches after another couple of hundred miles, no doubt unravelling due to its own weight as it whizzes around.

So, new band belt I think.

Bearing in mind I've not done this before, is it an easy thing to fit myself? Would any specific tools help?

I can take it in to str8six who service it, but this seems unnecessary if it is really easy to do.

I know this is probably really basic stuff.

[zombeh]

Not seen under the bonnet of a v6 yet but assuming it's much the same as every other car I've seen:

You'll need a couple of 13mm spanners, a lever and probably an assistant.
There'll be a bolt the alternator pivots on, slacken this off slightly, and some method of locking it in place usually a bracket with a long slot in it and a bolt that goes through the slot. Slacken the locking bolt and the bolt the bracket pivots on.

Release the tension on the belt by pushing the alternator down the slot in the bracket, take the belt off, fit new belt, pull the alternator back to tension it (lever and assistant may be required to hold it still at this point) do all the bolts back up.

Edited by zombeh on Saturday 13th June 18:44

[Russ35]

Also hope that nobody has put a coolant hose from the engine through the fan belt to the swirl pot, instead of over the top of the fan belt.

[page3]

Thanks all, sounds easy enough.

Coolant hoses definitely going above belt - although they only just clear it.

Would halfords sell the right one - "Belt fitted marked F.A.1 Auto 13AV 1200 Goodyear" according to the alternative parts list.

I could take the old one off and take it in - but would rather take the S!

[Barkychoc]

1200 is the significant bit - thats the length of the belt.
They also come in more than one width - though I'd cross that bridge if they have a choice in stock!

I don't know if looking up a granada / sierra 2.9 belt in their data book would give you the right one - does the belt also run the power steering pump on these anyone?

[tvrgit]

Barkychoc said:

1200 is the significant bit - thats the length of the belt.
They also come in more than one width - though I'd cross that bridge if they have a choice in stock!

I don't know if looking up a granada / sierra 2.9 belt in their data book would give you the right one - does the belt also run the power steering pump on these anyone?

The Granada belt is completely different - it runs the PS pump and also, the alternatir is in a different place.

It's also important to get the right belt width - too narrow and it will sit too deep in the pulleys and not grip properly, too wide and it'll sit too high and you might not be able to get it on and adjusted even if it is the right length.

[page3]

Looks like I'd be wise to take off the old one first and take it with.

[Jed-S]

It is a 1200C that you need.

[page3]

Surprise surprise Halfords didn't have any stock, so I ended up in the pub instead

Will order from str8six and fit after Zolder

Edited by page3 on Sunday 14th June 18:54

[Barkychoc]

Last time I went to Halfords they had virtually no belts in C width - mainly A with a handful of B's.
Out of desperation I bought an A width belt, but as Andrew rightly says its too narrow and sits low on the pulleys.

[Roy C]

Sorry Adam, I missed this thread.

You can get the belt from Lloyds Motor Spares in South Harrow.

Halfords are a waste of space for most spares.

Edited by Roy C on Wednesday 1st July 07:45

[page3]

Roy C said:

You can get the belt from Lloyds Motor Spares in South Harrow.

Thanks Roy. Purchased

[Roy C]

page3 said:

Roy C said:

You can get the belt from Lloyds Motor Spares in South Harrow.

Thanks Roy. Purchased

Which one did you get? QBC1200?

[page3]

Roy C said:

page3 said:

Roy C said:

You can get the belt from Lloyds Motor Spares in South Harrow.

Thanks Roy. Purchased

Which one did you get? QBC1200?

Hope so. That's what I quoted to Anthony, who works in South Harrow