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Solving problems with the alternator belt. Checking, adjusting and replacing drive belts Adjusting the drive belt

I looked on your website, but didn’t find it, tell me how to check 2 liters on a Nissan Primera 2003 and can I adjust it myself or is it better not to bother? I have never done this myself, but a friend said that it seems to bend a little and needs to be adjusted, otherwise it will break and there will be trouble, please tell me, I will be grateful. (Sasha)

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Checking status

Before diagnosing the condition of the strap, you need to turn off the engine and wait about half an hour, or check on a cold engine.

First, open the hood and visually assess the condition of the elements. Of course, the straps being tested should not show any damage, thread separation, etc. It is better to carry out diagnostics using a flashlight, while simultaneously feeling both sides of the strap along its length. If you find visible defects, it is better to replace the belt immediately.
It is also necessary to check the tension. To do this, you can press it in the middle with your thumb, right between the shafts. If the distance between them is about 18-28 cm, then the deflection coefficient should be no more than 0.6 cm, and if the distance is about 30-40 cm, then this figure should be no more than 1.3 cm. If you are in doubt about the deflection rate , then you can use a ruler to measure it. How to do this correctly - look at the photo below.
If these standards have been violated, then adjustments must be made.

Self-adjustment

You need to understand that too little tension on the strap can cause it to fail faster. Accordingly, this will affect the operation of the motor as a whole. But if the element is tensioned too much, this will lead to accelerated failure of the bearings located on the compressor or generator disks. Therefore, in this case it is necessary to be guided by the norms. So, the procedure for adjusting the tension should be carried out by changing the position of the roller.

To do this, follow these steps:

First, loosen the locking nut of the roller itself.
Now you need to turn the roller position adjusting screw so that the amount of belt deflection is set correctly.
Then, you should carefully tighten the nut that secures the roller.
Next, you need to start the engine and let it run for about five minutes.
After this, the engine is turned off and you check the condition of the tension again.

As you can see, this process is quite complex and may not be possible for a motorist who does not have certain knowledge. Therefore, if you have any doubts, we recommend that you contact a specialist.

Video “Replacing the drive belt on a Qashqai”

Using the Nissan Quashqai as an example, you can familiarize yourself with the process of replacing the drive belt (the author of the video is Vit Kud).

Absolutely any more or less experienced driver knows that the correct tension of the alternator belt will ensure a reliable power supply to the vehicle’s on-board network and good power supply, which is so important when starting the engine. A weakly tensioned belt can slip relative to the generator pulley and quickly break due to heat, and a strongly tensioned belt creates a large load on the generator rotor shaft bearings and the pump, as a result of which they quickly fail.

As you understand, such a parameter as belt tension should always be within normal limits. To check the belt tension, you can use a metal strip half a meter long and a simple ruler. Almost all domestic cars allow a deflection of the belt, which is formed between the generator pulley and the crankshaft, equal to 15 millimeters. The force, in this case, should not exceed 10 kg/cm.

Procedure:

1. To measure the tension of the alternator belt, place a thin metal strip in the gap between the crankshaft pulley and the alternator.

2. Act on the belt, pulling it away from the strip using your fingers.

3. Measure the distance from the highest position of the alternator belt to the metal strip.

The resulting value will mean the deflection of the generator belt. If it has any deviations from the norm, then it will be necessary to adjust the generator belt or replace it, depending on the degree of belt wear.

Alternator Belt Adjustment

So, if you have come to the conclusion that the tension of the alternator belt is insufficient or excessive, then you need to start making adjustments. It is done quite simply, so you can do without car service employees.

Procedure:

1. Place the vehicle on a level surface and prevent any accidental movement. The presence of an inspection hole is not at all necessary, however, if your car is of the “classic” family, then it is better to use a hole. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid accidental short circuits of live parts of the engine compartment (wires, plugs and housings of metal elements).

2. Loosen the nut located on the generator adjustment bar. There is no need to unscrew it too much, since you only need to free the generator from its fastening. Do the same with the bottom nut. It is screwed onto a long bolt, which is the main fastening of any generator.

3. Insert a pry bar into the gap between the engine and the generator and bend the generator, creating the necessary force on the belt. Without slackening the applied force, tighten the adjusting bar nut as tightly as possible. After this, check the belt tension as described above. If the measurement result is not correct, loosen the nut again and repeat the tension.

4. Once the belt tension meets maintenance requirements, tighten the nut on the long bolt. This completes the alternator belt adjustment.

Video - How to tighten or loosen a VAZ alternator belt

If tensioning the generator belt is impossible due to severe wear of the rubber component, it is necessary to replace the belt. is relevant when the belt is stretched or has any defects in the form of burrs and cracks. In addition, during operation, it can emit a characteristic whistle, by which it is not difficult to determine its faulty condition.

Before replacing, purchase exactly the same alternator belt. A product from another car model will not fit in any way - you need to remember this carefully.

Procedure:

1. Place the car on a flat surface and immobilize it. The presence of an inspection hole, as in the first case, is not mandatory, but a desirable condition. Be sure to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.

2. Loosen the nut used to secure the generator to the adjusting bar. After this, loosen the nut that tightens the long bolt from the bottom of the generator.

3. Pull the alternator towards the engine and remove the old belt.

4. Installing a new belt looks more difficult. The most important thing is to make every effort, without damaging the product. First, it is recommended to put the belt on the crankshaft pulley, then on the generator pulley. If there is a water pump pulley, last of all, put the belt on the pump pulley.

5. After this, tension the belt and tighten all loose nuts. Don't forget to reinstall the battery terminal.

This is how you check the tension of the generator belt, adjust it and replace it. This set of procedures is basic and is performed with a standard set of automotive tools. This does not require special knowledge, so you can check the belt tension yourself.

The generator device is a unit necessary to power the entire electrical equipment of the machine. Its proper operation depends on many factors, including proper tension. There are three ways to tighten the alternator belt.

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How to check tension?

Before adjusting and tightening the drive belt in a car, it is necessary to check the tension value. This parameter is unique for each individual car, as well as the type and model of the generator set.

You can learn more about the tension value from the information provided in the service documentation for the machine. This data may be indicated in the technical manual for the generator unit or drive belt.

The amount of tension will be influenced by the use of additional electrical equipment installed in the machine. In particular, we are talking about the air conditioning system and the hydraulic power steering system. In general, we can say that when 10 kg is applied to the strap, its deflection should be about 1 cm. It is necessary to press on the product for the longest period, directly between the pulleys, and the pressure force should be approximately 10 kg. But this value is only approximate, since in many VAZ models this parameter is 6-10 or 15-15 mm.

Belt tensioning instructions

Tensioner adjustment can be done in a garage. There are several methods of stretching; we will analyze each of them in detail.

Alternator belt tension diagram

Strap tension pattern

Using the adjustment bar

In many machines, the generator set is fixed to the crankcase of the power unit using a special extended bolt. This element allows the device to be moved in different directions. On top there is a special bar made in the form of an arc. There is a slot on it, as well as a nut that fixes the location of the unit relative to the engine.

To tighten the drive belt, do the following:

Use a wrench to unscrew the nut on the bar.
Using a pry bar, pry bar, or other similar tool, the generator set is moved away from the engine.
The nut is tightened on the bar.
The device strap tension is diagnosed. If necessary, the tensioning procedure is repeated.

Using an adjusting bolt

Bolt adjustment of the drive belt position is considered more convenient to maintain and modified.

The adjustment procedure is performed as follows:

The nuts are loosened. They are located above and below the generator set, on mounts.
By turning the adjusting screw clockwise, the unit moves away from the block. When performing this task, it is necessary to simultaneously diagnose the degree of tension of the product.
When the desired result is achieved, the nuts are tightened back.

The Dromtest channel talked about adjusting the tension force of the drive belt using a bolt using the example of the Honda Civic 7 model.

Using a roller

Regardless of the method used for tensioning, after completing the task, the engine crankshaft must be turned several revolutions.

After this, the tension level is re-diagnosed. A control check can be carried out after the trip, but it should not be long. The adjustment procedure using a roller may differ depending on the car model and have its own characteristics.

To complete the task, you will need a set of wrenches and a tool designed to turn the adjusting bearing. The tool is a key made in the form of two metal rods with a diameter of 4 mm.

If you don’t have a key, you can use curved pliers; the process of adjusting the tension is discussed using the example of a Lada Priora car:

The hood of the car opens and the generator device is located.
There is a fixing screw on it, with which the roller is secured. It must be loosened, but not completely unscrewed. To loosen, use a 17mm wrench.
Then, using the adjustment key, the roller is rotated. Depending on the need (increasing or decreasing the tension value), the roller rotates in one direction or the other.
Using a wrench after adjustment, the roller is fixed. When setting up, it is important to select the correct tension force.
When the procedure is completed, a diagnosis of the correctness of the work is performed. To check, the power unit is started and all electrical equipment is activated. You need to turn on the optics, radio, heater or air conditioning system, wipers, heated glass system, etc. If all devices function correctly and the drive belt does not whistle, then the tensioning procedure has been completed correctly.

The Channel of Everything, little by little, presented detailed instructions on how to tighten the drive belt in a Lada Priora car.

Consequences of incorrect tension

If you do not tighten the drive belt in time and it becomes loose, this will lead to a decrease in the battery charging current parameter. If the charge strength is low, the battery consumes its own resource, as a result of which the service life of the device decreases. As a result, destruction of the internal plates or a short circuit occurs. If the battery is maintenance-free, then it will have to be replaced; it cannot be repaired.

Too weak a tension will cause voltage surges in the machine’s on-board network. For older cars this problem is not critical. But in new models equipped with many electronic devices and systems, electrical equipment will fail. In particular, the engine ECU will break, and repairs will be expensive. An insufficiently tensioned drive belt will jump off the shaft when rotating at high speed, and can sometimes puncture the hood.

With a strong tension, a high load is placed on the rubbing units and components of additional units. The constriction can be indicated by a hum that is uncharacteristic of the functioning of the motor; usually the noise is made by the tension roller. Sometimes the noise comes from the bearings of the generator set, the air conditioning compressor, or the hydraulic power steering system. The source of the noise may be the bushing of the water pump device.

Replacing a worn belt

A brief algorithm of actions when replacing a product:

The battery in the car is disconnected.
The car owner loosens the nuts securing the fasteners.
The tension screw is unscrewed. When performing the task, you must simultaneously press the generator device against the power unit.
The worn-out product is replaced with a new one. The installed belt is tensioned.
The nuts are being fixed. A test drive is carried out to check that the tension is correct. If necessary, the product is adjusted.

Video “Example of tension on a VAZ 2110”

The In the Garage channel presented detailed instructions on how to carry out the process of tightening the generator drive belt using the “tens” as an example.

Incorrect alternator belt tension can cause a lack of charging. The ability to determine the correct tension force will be useful both for do-it-yourself repairs and if the low battery level indicator lights up on the dashboard.

Excessive force will lead to rapid failure of the generator bearings. A breakdown in the initial stage manifests itself as a hum from the generator. When replacing a belt, it is advisable to check the condition of the bearing. To do this, unscrew the pulley by hand. Rotation should occur evenly and silently. If a hum still appears during engine operation, you can remove the belt, and then for 10-15 seconds. start the engine. This way you can determine whether the noise is coming from the alternator bearing or timing rollers.

Insufficient tension leads to belt slippage and accelerated wear. The first sign of such a malfunction manifests itself as a squeak when cold or when wet. Excessive stretching will result in no charging. This is why it is important to know how to check the tension of the alternator belt.

There are two types of generator drive:

How to determine the correct tension level:

Let’s look at how to properly install a car’s alternator belt using the example of two types of construction:

loosen the tensioner bolt by unscrewing the locknut. Rotating the bolt itself will tighten and loosen the belt. After setting the tension, secure the tensioner bolt with a wrench and tighten the locknut;
loosen the bolts securing the generator to the brackets. Place a pin between the generator housing and the engine. Pull the belt using lever force, after which you can tighten the generator fastenings;
in systems with a single service belt drive, tensioning can be carried out automatically. The design contains a special tensioner, to loosen it you need to loosen the roller bolt and then remove the tensioner using a wrench.

In the case of a ripple belt, before making a final check of the tension level, start and stop the engine. This will ensure that the belt is in the correct position in the pulley grooves.

Incorrect alternator belt tension can cause a lack of charging. Knowing how to determine the correct tension will be useful both for DIY repairs and in the event of a fire on the dashboard.

What does tension affect?

Insufficient tension leads to belt slippage and accelerated wear. The first sign of such a malfunction manifests itself as a squeak when cold or when wet. Excessive stretching will result in no charging. This is why it is important to know how to check the tension of the alternator belt.

Types of construction

There are two types of drive:

How to determine the correct tension level:

Tension

Let’s look at how to properly install a car’s alternator belt using the example of two types of construction:

loosen the tensioner bolt by unscrewing the locknut. Rotating the bolt itself will tighten and loosen the belt. After setting the tension, secure the tensioner bolt with a wrench and tighten the locknut;
loosen the bolts securing the generator to the brackets. Place a pin between the generator housing and the engine. Pull the belt using lever force, after which you can tighten the generator fastenings;
in systems with a single service belt drive, tensioning can be carried out automatically. The design contains a special tensioner, to loosen it you need to loosen the roller bolt and then remove the tensioner using a wrench.

In the case of a ripple belt, before making a final check of the tension level, start and stop the engine. This will ensure that the belt is in the correct position in the pulley grooves.