fan belt

[bigdaddycain]

so back to topic

how do i change the 3 belts i just got

Sorry ron.... (thanks for rescuing me kirsty )

[londonron]

line that got me was first 2 are pretty easy. you really have no idea about me at all lol.

so far i have not had any luck with diy on the van. hopefully this will be something i can do.

many thanks for your help

[mikeonb4c]

Two main belts are pretty easy, just slacken back the alternator, can't remember whether it's 2 or 3 bolts, the aircon belt has a tensioner I think, but they should be covered in the factsheets in the member section.
Just remember not to tension up the belts too much, I think about 10 mm deflection on the longest run of the two alternator belts, not sure about the aircon.

Which raises an interesting thought. If you are worried about overtightening and end up erring on the side of caution, will there be:

1) An obvious consequence (belt squealing so you know you need to tighten it a bit more)
or
2) A less obvious one (belt knackers in a short time through slipping an abrasion, or alternator etc. don't work efficiently.

If the answer is (1) it might provide reassurance for those of us who worry as it is much better and cheaper to deal with that than the potential consequences of overtightening. Also, I have this vague feeling that belts often work perfectly well even when a bit loose.

Anyone? If (1) maybe include in the factsheet?

[londonron]

well turns out it wasnt the fan belt. was a snapped bolt on the exhaust manifold.

took it to a garage in croydon recomemnded by this site and the guy seems very helpful and will try and fit it in tomorrow.

90 if its a quick job, 180 if not but he expects the bolts will be ok to remove and said it normally costs 120. lucky for me he said the gasket i need comes as part of a head gasket set but they never go so when he does a head change he changes them all but keeps the secondhand exhaust ones.

so whislte noise gone hopefully and maybe even more power and better fuel

[mikeonb4c]

Good luck - keep us posted

[londonron]

well martin in croydon is a wonderfull helpfull mechanic and really does know his stuff.
my problem is a screwed exhaust manifold and he told me where to get one from for 60 quid and will be fitting it for me on monday.

big problem is why. veg oil.

if you look on your manifold and see paint missing/blistered on the manifold what it means is the manifold is getting way too hot. this happens when you use veg oil as it doesnt burn quite the same way and you end up with some of it igniting in the manifold which gets really hot as a result and blisters the paint. over time the manifold buckles and eventully one of the bolts will snap. it is normally the furthest one on the manifold as thats where the most pressure is.

martin was told he was getting recomendations from the site and actully joined but left when he replied with the correct answer to a tech question and the person ignored his advice and went with the masses and a couple of days later posted his bongo was now broken lol. i think the words he used were " i thought xxxx it, if they aint gonna listen i wont bother"

if you are ever near croydon and need something done this really is the guy. been doing bongos for ten years now and is very approachable