Such a simple job but......

[HBG]

Was changing the bonnet catch cable earlier, completed nicely, when I noticed the fan belt seemed loose. I could rotate the alternator fan blades with my fingers. I tried to tighten it by loosening the pivot point then the adjuster bolt then retightening whilst pulling the alternator up. Each time, despite my best efforts, I couldn't make it tighter.

Decided to try a new belt as the old one looked a bit worn. It's a Gates Vbelt 775 x 10mm I bought from Omicron. Same result. I haven't run the car yet as it was getting late and, you know, neighbours.

What am I doing wrong? How tight should it be? Is there a way of levering the alternator to keep the belt tight whilst tightening?

Thanks.

[lancialulu]

You need 3 hands!

My technique is to put a spanner on the lock nut making sure it cannot turn. Then with a lever uner the alternator make the belt tight do up the lock bolt with a ratchet spanner. Of course during this process the lock nut spanner will fall off and you will have to start again😂

[HBG]

Three hands! That's what I'm missing! And a lever. I tried with a large screwdriver to lever the alternator but could only see the fan housing as a possible resting point.....not happy with that. Also had the air filter cover off for space. Was thinking that this was far too complicated for just a fan belt......

The manual says I should have 4 to 5mm of play in the belt....going to be very close to the carb drip tray if I get it that tight. Might need a shorter belt?

[HBG]

Just had a quick look in daylight and I can see the nut on the bottom of the adjuster bracket is loose. Think the electric fan will have to come off to get access. Also still thinking that the belt is loo long at 775mm

[HBG]

With fan out, all is good with the world.....except the proximity of the alternator to the carb drip tray. See pic.

Should I get a shorter belt? This one is 775 x 10, how much shorter?

[lancialulu]

Only go down one size (ie 765 or near  that and stay with 10mm width) You may not even get the next size down to get on the pulleys. It is a nightmare Fulvia fan belts (I speak from experience). Also check you alternator has its own earth and the bottom silent block at the end of the alternator support strap is not shot. All is possible in situ....

[HBG]

The rubbers look good. I'll check the earth next time I have it in bits. Tim you've mentioned in other posts about the drip tray having a drain tube....can't see one on mine or a spigot for attachment. Where should I be looking?

[Spider2]

Drain tube for the drip tray is far end (windshield end). You probably will not see it with carbs in situ.
Regarding the need for 3 arms. I am glad my wife owns 1/2 the car and she shares the bills. When I ask for another pair of hands I say the alternative is "down to the garage" for an expensive bill. She has turnd out to be quite a good mechanic!

[lancianut666]

Worn pulleys?

[lancialulu]

Worn pulleys?

never seen on a Fulvia…..

[HBG]

Unhappy with the closeness of drip tray and alternator I've bought a 10 x 763 belt from the local factor, made by Mayle, who I've never heard of.

As Tim suggested, despite being just 12mm smaller and there being a lot of room on the adjuster, it wouldn't go on until I removed the adjuster bolt. When back together I'm in the middle of the adjuster slot and now 8 to 10mm clear of the drip tray which is much better.

I notice that the Optibelt that came off is smaller than the Gates belt I had recently fitted despite both being 775mm.

I'll get a spare Gates belt 10 x 763 now that I can identify it.

Also notice that I don't have a tube from the drip tray down. Something to add to the shopping list.

[HBG]

Would appear that there are two measurements for these Gates belts, the length and the outer length.

Picture shows that the Gates 775 is actually 785, depending on where it's measured. This would explain why it seems too long. The Gates 763 measures 775 outer.

The Mayle 763 belt may actually be 763!

[Wangler]

I was checking the tension on my belt today and it needed tightening.

When I refitted the alternator recently I used an Allen bolt inserted from the rear of the stay/tension bar with a nut (a domed one as the shape can sometimes be useful).

Use a 13mm ring spanner with a slightly angled ring for the nut and a right angle Allen key pushed into a quarter inch socket on an extension bar. Use a bit of tape to make sure the three items don’t disassemble themselves! Get the Allen key located into the bolt head, it should just stay there.

Now get some strong cord and loop it around the Allen bolt head and when you have loosened the nut just enough that it’s still gripping the bar a little, pull it as tight as is needed, tie it off under tension (or get someone to keep it tight) then do up the nut. Voila!