Another Aux belt issue.

[Melissa]

OK made a start on my cam belt change today and looking at the aux belt i dont have the tool to relise the tension, i can see the sqaure shaped pattern to the lower right of the tensioner spring, it looks 1/2 inch shape with one side missing.. Im sure you guys know it.. is this tool available and what cost?

Is there i trick way to do this without tool.. Cheers

 

[SBV116]

tool is available but from memory it doesnt fit! lol, we have a home made tool!!

I have seen people unbolt it to get it off, then use a jubilee clip to squeeze to together before refitting!!

the square you need is 3/8 drive, you can get away with a 3/8 sump plug key and breaker bar!!

You can sort it, bit of patience!

 

[SBV116]

PS, it should be 3/8 square, if theres a bit missing it may be broken? :O

 

[bmh.01]

You might be able to get a 1/2" drive ratchet with a 1/2"->3/8" adapter down and in thats what size the square on the tensioner is. The proper tools is basically a bar with a 1/2" square welded on the end to which you can fit a 3/8" adapter to release the tension but the adapter will probably need grinding down to get it in properly i've got one I made ealier for this purpose.

Laser make a copy tool which isn't a grand deal of money, its a diesel cambelt tool its listed as see if I can find it.

 

[SBV116]

Great minds, lol!

 

[sideways danny]

with one side missing..

erm, no. Sounds like it's broken, in which case it's probably seized and it broken when someone tried to de-tension it. New tensioner time.

 

[bmh.01]

This one:

http://www.lasertools.co.uk/item.aspx?cat=309&item=1155

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trksid=p3907.m38.l1313&_nkw=laser+3894&_sacat=See-All-Categories

 

[sideways danny]

my homemade is MUCH better than that it's even bent to fit perfectly through the gap between the A/C and the inner wing

 

[Chrisjk]

my homemade is MUCH better than that it's even bent to fit perfectly through the gap between the A/A and the inner wing

Mine too, bit of threaded bare bent to shape with the end ground to 3/8

 

[Melissa]

Oh ok, must be broken, i did try 1/2" drive but the hole and tried to work out what the hell it was in size as it was larger than 1/2" ??? There are screw driver marks to the top of the tensioner so i guess its been fooked with before.. So i need a new tensioner then.. Starting to make sense..

Is the tensioner an easy swap?

 

[sideways danny]

fairly easy, a bit tight for space, but not complicated. Top bolt on the spring part, then center allen bolt on the pivot, think its a 6mm allen key

 

[SBV116]

I think its an 8mm, but we will agree to disagree! lol!

 

[bmh.01]

my homemade is MUCH better than that it's even bent to fit perfectly through the gap between the A/C and the inner wing

No doubt tbh! That tools was deffo not designed for the job in the first place, works ok though just a little awkward. For how often it gets used i'll live with it, infact come to mention it mines been m.i.a. for a good few months now.

 

[Melissa]

Is there a way round to losen the belt tension with this broken tensioner? (eg remove the torx bolt on top of the spring) What sort of load is the spring? would i be able to push the spring back this way to refit..

 

[bmh.01]

Drop the lower idler off but be careful not to damage the thread or your fingers.

 

[bmh.01]

Or take the top bracket off the alternator to allow it to swing towards the block as it will end up coming off for access anyway ime. Not sure if that'll release enough slack to allow the belt to come off though.

 

[sideways danny]

Is there a way round to losen the belt tension with this broken tensioner? (eg remove the torx bolt on top of the spring) What sort of load is the spring? would i be able to push the spring back this way to refit..

cut it. With a seized tensioner I always chop the belt. Not like you're re-fitting it

 

[Sean6545]

iv undone the top bolt before, the leverd it down again with a new belt on. This was before i had a tool mind

 

[Melissa]

Got the job done today inbetween the F1 qualifying All went well... Huge thanks to SBV for sending over a good aux tensioner, Cheers mate i owe you a drink...

 

[D1CKY]

my homemade is MUCH better than that it's even bent to fit perfectly through the gap between the A/C and the inner wing

Get some pics up of this home made contraption