Vp 2003 belt tension

[stu9000]

Hi,
I'm on the hook checking the engine. Alternator belt tension needed tightening. I have done this. But what is the right tension? Half inch of play? I have it fairly tight atm. Hard to be explicit without a tension guage, which I do not have. If I press with the thumb I can depress it to touch the filter with some pressure. So I think its tight but not so tight I'm going to mess the bearings up. What do you think? Thanks.

 

[VicS]

FTOM

 

[stu9000]

Thanks. Your a Gent.

FTOM?
Maybe From the manual?
I checked the workshop manual but maybe this is another one.

 

[VicS]

Thanks. Your a Gent.

FTOM?
Maybe From the manual?
I checked the workshop manual but maybe this is another one.

From the owner's manual

There is a diagram to accompany it

 

[stu9000]

Thanks again. I was looking at the workshop manual. Will dig out the owners.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

One thing I struggle with is adjusting the tension when on my own - it seems to need more hands than I've got! At least one hand is needed to tension the belt, and then two are needed to tighten the nut and bolt on the adjusting stay. Does anyone have any good tips? It's easy enough with an extra pair of hands - one person tensions the belt, the other tightens the bolt when the tension is right. But doing it single-handed it's very difficult to get the tension right, or at least, to maintain it while tightening the bolt.

 

[PetiteFleur]

I use a long screwdriver to push the alternator to tighten, after adjusting nut & bolt just enough to hold it, then tighten the nut & bolt and check. Repeat if necessary. Hope that's clear... or maybe a large wedge to hold the alternator tight then tighten nut & bolt and check.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I use a long screwdriver to push the alternator to tighten, after adjusting nut & bolt just enough to hold it, then tighten the nut & bolt and check. Repeat if necessary. Hope that's clear... or maybe a large wedge to hold the alternator tight then tighten nut & bolt and check.

I find that if the bolt is tight enough to hold the alternator in place, it's too tight to adjust the tension. But the wedge is a good idea - I can probably find some scrap wood!

 

[Metalicmike]

As these adjusters don't have screw tensioners it is unlikely that you will get too tight.

 

[nevis768]

I did mine the other day on my own with a long screwdriver as a lever. I think you would be hard pushed to over tighten

 

[AntarcticPilot]

As these adjusters don't have screw tensioners it is unlikely that you will get too tight.

I wonder if it would be possible to replace the slotted bar with a screw arrangement? Would a bottle-screw do the job, such as the bottom one here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175240992052)?

 

[Metalicmike]

Couldn't on mine, I refused to pay 300 euro for an original so got one more powerful and with a little modification made it fit, saved 200 euro. Could have ordered an original from parts4engines but that was before I started using them.

 

[madabouttheboat]

I wonder if it would be possible to replace the slotted bar with a screw arrangement? Would a bottle-screw do the job, such as the bottom one here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175240992052)?

It’s been done before, numerous times. Here’s one I just found on the tinterweb

 

[stu9000]

I'm obviously not an expert or I would not have started this post. But a long screwdriver as a lever worked well for me. I've put a number of hours on it now and it seems fine (touch wood and whistle). Surely cranking it tight using some kind of mechanism invites over tightening and possibly additional wear on belt and bearings?

 

[VicS]

I'm obviously not an expert or I would not have started this post. But a long screwdriver as a lever worked well for me. I've put a number of hours on it now and it seems fine (touch wood and whistle). Surely cranking it tight using some kind of mechanism invites over tightening and possibly additional wear on belt and bearings?

Not if you can deflect the belt by 5mm as described in the manual.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Not if you can deflect the belt by 5mm as described in the manual.

And doing it single handed, it's difficult to get it that tight - only 5mm deflection is actually pretty tight.