Alternator belt

Hi all,

The alternator belt has snapped on my M13A engine. I've never changed one before is it a fairly easy job? My plan is to loosen the aternator bolts so I have a bit of wiggle room to get the new belt on. Will this work? Any tips or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks
Gary

I changed the belts when engine was out anyways because it is pretty tight.
I changed both belts at the same time as one must come out to change the other anyways.

loosen the generator as you say for that belt, and loosen the eccentric intermediate wheel on the engine to change the other belt.
No big problem to sneak them around the radiator fan and place them on the corresponding wheels before tightening.

Yes it's an easy job. Slacken off the bolts on the sliding tensioner on top of the alternator. At the bottom of the alternator is another bolt it pivots on. I think it's an 8mm Allen key. Slacken it off and the alternator will then pivot freely. Thread the new belt over the blades of the fan and onto the pulleys, tension using a pry bar between the engine block and alternator then tighten the bolts up. Don't go crazy with the tension. Being able to twist the longest length of belt no more than 90° between thumb and forefinger is a reasonable test.

While you're at it, check the condition of the crank pulley. It fails and delaminates, which is th most common cause of belts snapping.

As above, the power steering belt has to come off first, the tensioner is the (silvery on the side that runs on the belt) pulley at the top.




Also as above, it takes a lot to break a serpentine belt, if it has broken something is wrong somewhere, seized alternator, damaged crank pulley, something contaminated the belt maybe, or something got caught in it.

I was sure there used to be a "How To" section but I cant find it ...as I'm sure there is a Hot To Change the Alternator and P/S (Power Steeering) Belt in there ...

If changing the Alternator, I would DEFFO change the P/S Belt at the same time!!

Jeez, that was hard to find ... www.bigjimny.com/index.php/wiki/information/qhow-toq-guides