URGENT - Help needed - belts worn

[Gordini-blue-182]

Just lifted the bonnet today to discover what looked like bits of rubber around by the top mounts.

Upon further inspection i noticed the belts dont look very good at all and believe they have been rubbing ( dont have a clue which bit it is they're rubbing on! )

I've taken a few pics & the belt looks to have worn quite a lot.

I had both the cam & aux belts done at a local garage in feb just after I bought the car, is it possible it may not have been fitted back up together correctly?

Your advice would be much appreciated!

 

[maynard]

I'd not drive the car at all, and call the garage asap Monday morning.

Let them take a look at it once you've told them your concerns.

 

[Fred@BTM]

do NOT drive it!

that looks like a seized aux belt tensioner causing that, ie garage didn't change the aux belt tensioner and idler, school boy error on a 172/182

 

[badgerbite]

Where did you get it done mate? Lucky you spotted that!

Burn the place down!

 

[clio carl]

do NOT drive it!

that looks like a seized aux belt tensioner causing that, ie garage didn't change the aux belt tensioner and idler, school boy error on a 172/182

+ 1000,0000%

 

[maynard]

way too many horror stories on this problem. listen to the advice and just don't risk it!

 

[Fred@BTM]

don't even start the f**king engine!

 

[maynard]

don't even start the f**king engine!

LOL. this!

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

I only popped the bonnet to clean around and noticed bits of rubber shavings.

I do remember when they fitted it that they said they had a real struggle with the tensioner on it!

Hopefully its not affected the cambelt in anyway :dapprove:

I had it done at a garage literally next to where i live.

So going on the picks what should i be asking them to check they replaced? The aux belt tensioner is it?

When i first had it done i noticed there was about a MM gap maybe even less between that little spring and the belt itself, is that normal?

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

Just looked on the invoice & it says the following were included:

* Remove & replace cambelt & tensioner kit
* replace serpentine belt.

IF they did replace the tensioner is it possible to incorrectly fit it or is there anything else needed apart from the above?

 

[172Ben]

Mine is no way near the same gap. It has at least a cm.

As said i wouldn't be starting that, get it to a SPECIALIST!

 

[JCC]

From the stuff you've quoted on the invoice it looks like they haven't bothered with the Aux belt tensioners, which would agree with what Fred said.

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

If they havent replaced it and have the knackered belt off to do it will the cam belt need to be touched at all does anyone know?

I would go somewhere else and just make sure its done properly now but cant drive it anywhere :dapprove:

 

[Fred@BTM]

no need to tocuh the cambelt, take it to a specialist (get it transported, will cost you, but its better than £3.5K for a new engine!)

 

[maynard]

Just looked on the invoice & it says the following were included:

* Remove & replace cambelt & tensioner kit
* replace serpentine belt.

IF they did replace the tensioner is it possible to incorrectly fit it or is there anything else needed apart from the above?

If it just says 'replaced serpentine belt' - then that's all they will have done. I had exact same issue when I checked my service history.

The majority of garages get into the habit of just fitting the belt and think the tensioner will be ok. This is not just on clio's, it's ALL makes and models.

You tend to fine the bigger garages and the specialists will change the whole lot - because they have the knowlege/how to and reputation to keep up. It's simply not worth changing just the belt.

 

[sideways danny]

definitely needs a new tensioner on that. Probably had too short a belt fitted too

 

[Fred@BTM]

or danny do you reckon they've done the old belt on the wrong side of the idler, puts more stress on the tensioner yada yada?

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

Just been looking on K-tecs site & can see they do a collection service that'll be £150 collection then just gotta ( hopefully ) have the aux belt kit fitted up to it.

Does the members discount with K-tec apply to work carried out as well or just parts?

 

[Gumby]

Phone M and N (01453 860 153) if you're in Bristol - they'd probably trailer it and lend you a car for less than that, and they're a bit closer than K-Tec. Surely there would be some kind of warranty with the other garage though? :S

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

I dunno i'm gonna pop round and see them about it first thing on monday but i'm not sure if they 'have' to replace the tensioner if asked to do the aux belt.

I did give them instructions to do whatever was required & remember asking if they did the tensioners which one of the other guys said he thought so.

Trouble is do i really take it back there & get them to now sort this out & trust they'll do it properly or take it elsewhere but have to pay myself for their mistake :S

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

I know its a long shot but just for comparison could someone take a pic showing the aux tensioner & the belt on their car so i can see what the gap should be like.


PLS PLS PLS

 

[jonnytheboy]

I know this problem very well indeed. The tensioner is broke. No need for pics there should be a 8-10mm gap between the tensioner and the belt. DO NOT DRIVE! NEW BELT AND TENSIONER KIT NEEDED>

 

[sideways danny]

or danny do you reckon they've done the old belt on the wrong side of the idler, puts more stress on the tensioner yada yada?

not seen that done yet.

Seen loads of Cups with the belt routed wrong though

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

This might sound a really REALLY stupid question but if the tensioner breaks how does that cause the gap between the tensioner & the belt to get as close as it is now?

Thanks again for all ur feedback guys!

 

[jonnytheboy]

This might sound a really REALLY stupid question but if the tensioner breaks how does that cause the gap between the tensioner & the belt to get as close as it is now?

Thanks again for all ur feedback guys!

ITs already broken!!! the spring is keeping it together. ( Imagine you have a pencil with a spring over it and you break the pencil, the 2 bits of the pencil have no where to go due the the spring holding them in so the spring get pushed out in the middle . . hence thats why its rubbing on the belt)

 

[sideways danny]

This might sound a really REALLY stupid question but if the tensioner breaks how does that cause the gap between the tensioner & the belt to get as close as it is now?

Thanks again for all ur feedback guys!

not quite what happens


The tensioner is leavered up under spring tension to fit the belt. The pivot rusts and stops the tensioner moving freely, so when you release it, it doesn't move sufficiantly to tension the belt

 

[172Ben]

Heres mine

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

Thats great thanks again for all ur help guys,

Cant believe the difference in the pics between yours & my one!

Cant believe how lucky i was to notice it really, could have gone at anytime i guess.

I'll be getting them to leave that sound deadening off as well next to the belts! bit close for comfort that i think

 

[Lagerlout]

Kin ell! Lucky boy to have spotted that!!

 

[Christopher]

Christ! Lucky escape.

 

[Gordini-blue-182]

without replying to everyone who commented on this thread i thought it would be easier to put one message one instead for all to read.

Just to say a big thankyou to all who commented and for all ur help & advice. I picked up the new aux belt & tensioner kit from Renault yesterday and it has been fitted today & fingers crossed there will be no further problems!

unfortunately i'm now down £138 for the kit & whatever the garage charges tomorrow for the labour to fit it as I didnt get home in time to pay them!

 

[Fred@BTM]

2.5hours is max book time off the top of my head

 

[ABOO]

Who has fitted it then mate?