| Author |
Message |
Verell Boaen (Verell)
New member
Username: Verell
Post Number: 40
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 7:52 am: | |
I AGREE, THE NUT FOR THE ALTERNATOR TENSION BOLT IS A PITA...
I discovered I could hang the box end of a combination wrench onto the nut for the alternator clamp bolt. I believe I put it on backwards, ie: the wrench tilted toward the front of the alternator. The wrench will brace itself against something (can't remember what, maybe the alternator), & (usually) stay in place long enough to snug the bolt down.
To get the wrench into place I had to reach up between the exhaust heat shield & a vertical heatshield. Always scraped some hide off. A sacrifice to the !$#$ Engineer who didn't lock the bolt into place.
I meant to see if I couldn't rig something that would lock the nut into place, or weld a piece of steel rod to the bolt head & put it thru backwards, but forgot about it till I had the coolant line back in front of the alternator again.
Then I can use a long pry bar in my left hand to keep tension on the belt while I used a ratched wrench to tighten the bolt. |
Craig Hess (Crag)
New member
Username: Crag
Post Number: 37
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, February 28, 2002 - 7:25 am: | |
The sqealing stopped after I tightened the alternator belt. I checked it out by letting the car get cold overnight and then turning on fans and headlights before starting it, to put the maximum load on the alternator belt. However, I suspect this is a temporary fix, and I will need to change the belt in the not too distant future.
No one has addressed my request for guidance on how to tighten the alternator belt. I had to resort to a block of wood wedged between the pullies, because I needed both hands to tighten the clamping bolt. Is there a tool or a trick or do you need two people to tighten the alternator belt? |
Verell Boaen (Verell)
New member
Username: Verell
Post Number: 38
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 9:49 pm: | |
Crag,
Pulleys can get glazed too. When you change a belt, scuff the pulleys with green scotchbrite, or sand them just enought to roughen the surface with 360 or 400 grit sandpaper.
You might try scuffing up the old belt while it's in place as a temporary measure.
My QV's belt squealed on startup, especially when cold. I noticed that it quietened down when the alternator light went out. Tightening the belt a bit more stopped the noise.
The alternator is under it's heaviest load just after starting the car.
The battery has been drained down by cranking the engine over. Guess what, cold weather requires even more cranking power & thus drains the battery down more!!!
So, just after startup, everything is conspiring maximize the load on the belt!!
I was amazed how tight these belts have to be. Noticably tighter than a conventional alternator V-belt! I lay a ruler along the belt & tighten it until It takes a fair amount of force to move the center of the belt ~1/4" to ~3/8" away from the ruler.
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Tim N (Timn88)
Member
Username: Timn88
Post Number: 441
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 9:10 pm: | |
I cant imagine WD40 would solve the problem. I alwyas thought squealing was because they were slipping, adding WD40 would only make them slip more, just quieter. |
Daniel B Reese MD (Dbr328gtb)
Junior Member
Username: Dbr328gtb
Post Number: 78
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 9:03 pm: | |
It would seem to me if a car was in a cold climate-like less than 40 degrees- and not driven daily that the belts could get cold and stiff and squeal for a few minutes until it regains its suppleness as it warms (just a physical property of rubber). This would seem to be normal. For example, I bought my 328 just after its major service 2 years ago and when its cold a belt sqeals a little until the car is warm and that's it. It does not happen when weather is warm and has not gotten worse. I think I've heard this on other 308/328s. Any comments? |
Richelson (Richelson)
Member
Username: Richelson
Post Number: 457
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 27, 2002 - 7:35 am: | |
My 308 does this if it hasn't been driven in about a week or so. If I drive it often it doesn't do it. |
Robert Davis (H2oquick)
Junior Member
Username: H2oquick
Post Number: 72
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 - 9:59 pm: | |
Craig, mine is a 2 valve 308. Not sure if the QV is the same way. I will check and get back to you unless someone else can verify. Last time I checked the local NAPA had the belts or at least they said they did. I think I still have some Gates numbers that will work. Again I know they will work on mine, not sure about yours..sorry |
Craig Hess (Crag)
New member
Username: Crag
Post Number: 36
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 - 6:41 pm: | |
Robert,
The local parts stores didn't have the belts, so I'll need to have them shipped. I didn't feel like keeping the car up on the jack stands, so I decided to tighten the alternator belt, since it appeared to have more play in the belt then the other two, and then replace them all at a later date.
It took a while, but I figured out where all the nuts and bolts were to get the alternater pivoting, but then I had a heck of a time tensioning the belt. I finally decided to use a block of wood cut to a precise length (determined by trial and error) wedged between the two pulleys. I couldn't use a lever, because I needed both hands just to tighten the bolt that locks the alternator into position (couldn't believe that the head of the bold wasn't welded to the alternator body). The idlers on the water pump and AC compressor belts look to be easier to deal with. How did you tension/re-adjust the belt tensions?
Guidance from anyone who has adjusted the tension of the three belts would be greatly appreciated. |
Robert Davis (H2oquick)
Junior Member
Username: H2oquick
Post Number: 69
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 - 3:50 pm: | |
Just replace em...you will be like me trying a hundred remedies to cure the prob. Put a new set on, go 500 miles, recheck for tightness, adjust if necessary, recheck at 1500 miles...drive till you hear em again......that should be about 15 to 20 years...good luck |
BretM (Bretm)
Intermediate Member
Username: Bretm
Post Number: 1745
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 - 12:19 pm: | |
Just call any of the parts suppliers, they'll know what belts you have and need. I usually don't even bother with getting part numbers, etc. I just call. |
Craig Hess (Crag)
New member
Username: Crag
Post Number: 34
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 - 8:08 am: | |
I examined the belts more closely and they do appear to be starting to glaze. I pulled out my owners manual to see if they specified the belts, so I could replace them, and the owners manual only showed 2 belts and my car has 3. I guess their documentation didn't keep up with the engineering changes. I found 3 new belts in my tool kit, but I don't know how old they are, so I think I'll use them to locate some new belts just to be safe. |
Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Junior Member
Username: Owens84qv
Post Number: 199
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 26, 2002 - 5:41 am: | |
Craig, I applied some belt dressing because mine were "ticking" a little in the colder weather. I think I also remember someone saying they had used WD40 and that stopped the squealing. |
magoo (Magoo)
Intermediate Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 2020
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 25, 2002 - 9:51 pm: | |
What ever you do do not put belt dressing on your timing belts. As Steve says, If they are glazed and old replace them. Just a reminder. |
Steve (Steve)
Junior Member
Username: Steve
Post Number: 108
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 25, 2002 - 9:32 pm: | |
Craig it sounds like the belts are glazed.Take a look at them and see if they are shiney. I start up the 77 308 in 15 degree weather and no squeal. I would suggest new belts or try a little belt dressing which you can get at an auto store. |
magoo (Magoo)
Intermediate Member
Username: Magoo
Post Number: 2016
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 25, 2002 - 9:07 pm: | |
Craig, The only thing I can tell you on belt tensioning is just do it. It is something you have to bite the bullet on and locate each holding bolt and tighten the belts accordingly. Also belts become somewhat stiff and harder in colder weather. This will also cause it. More so if the belts are older and need to be changed. |
Craig Hess (Crag)
New member
Username: Crag
Post Number: 33
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 25, 2002 - 8:23 pm: | |
Over the last month, my 85 308QV has been squealing for a few minutes when I start it up in cold weather. I assume one or more of my belts needs adjustment or replacement. I changed my oil today, so while I have the car up on jack stands I took the rear wheels off and removed the wheel well liners. The belts look OK and all feel tight.
Anyone have any suggestions?
The belt tension adjustments look to be a little problematic (i.e., loosen pivots and clamps and use something for a lever to move the tensioning pulleys or the alternator.)
Anyone have any tricks for belt tensioning? |