Changing the water pump belt.

[smellypaddler]

Sorry for all the tech questions but I've not had that much experience with cars.

Just wondering how you are meant to measure the tension for the waterpump and alternator belt. I replaced mine today whilst changing the thermostat as I noticed it was knackered. The Repco bloke only had one that was 5mm shorter than the original but reckoned it wouldn't make any difference.

I loosened the adjustment on top of the alternator to get the belt on but now I don't know if it is too tight or too loose. How do I check this?

It's on a WT feroza. Cheers.

[Box Feroza]

This type of V belt is pretty easy to check whether it's too loose. You will hear a squeak from the belt when taking off.

You should be able to turn the belt 10-15 degrees side to side. You don't want it too tight as it will apply too much pressure on to the water pump.

There is a specific pull / push gauge where you can measure the amount of torque on belts, but quite uncessary.

Good luck with it.

[smellypaddler]

Thanks mate. After I put it on I took it for a drive and then later that night it squealed all the way home so I thought it had loosened off. The next day it didn't make a sound all day.

I'll have a look at how much I can move it - thanks for the help.

[MightyMouse]

Its also a pita to tighten properly as the power steer pump pretty much blocks of access. Don't leave it loose - generstes expensive problems ( long story... )

Its actually not a huge job to remove the ps pump so it can be tensioned properly..... I'm depressingly good at it - @#$% alternators....