1999 Pug 406 110 Hdi - Drive belt tension problems

[jasper5]

Have you thought about putting a shorter belt on?

[VespaSkin]

Barely got that one on, belts not overly slack - notches on the auto tensioner line up, no flapping on bottom

[Scrutim]

Hi, Is your alternator pulley a freewheel type, mine siezed, which is what caused the problem at idle, but goes once the revs rise. With the belt fitted, and ENGINE OFF you should be able to move the rotor in the alternator one way quite easily, by using your finger through the vents in the casting next to the pulley.

It's hard to describe , but i hope you get the idea!

New pulley about £30 on the bay, with the tool to remove it another £16

[VespaSkin]

Sorry for not replying for a while - work commitments (the joy of working for the NHS) - just a thought - checked all the suggestions - Aircon and alternator pulley for wobbles/seizure - no problems - all componants line up as per Haynes - had 10 min messing today - noticed if I put my 15mil spanner on the auto tensioner and push down the way (as if taking the tension OFF the belt) it sorts it out (I know I'm putting pressure on) - I wonder if I'm over tensioning the belt?

So, I'm wondering if over tensioning would cause this as well as a slack belt causing an issue

[VespaSkin]

I'm now totally confused (I was confused before but worse now) - right, over/under and correctly tensioned aux belt, no joy - last time sprayed some wd40 into the alternator - sorted it until wd dried out - definately think it's alternator, so, the confusing bit - which alternator is for my motor - clutch or non clutch - currently fitted with a non clutch - but was a scrappy alternator - what will happen if I fit the wrong one?

[VespaSkin]

I give up - fitted new alternator and tension/rattle issue the same....

[jasper5]

Has yours got the swinging guide pulley that has an 8mm allen bolt in the middle?

If it has try leaving the allen bolt loose and turn over the engine until the swinging pulley finds its own position....then tighten up the allen bolt and see what happens.

It would be great to see a picture of the belt arrangement.

[VespaSkin]

Cheers - it has a nipple on the back (I think we are both on about the auto tensioner) - however, new developments (just back in) deffo issue with old alternator - switch lights on rattle gets worse (though same with the brand new alternator from factors - only taking back 'cos only outputting 10v)- turn the steering and the pas rattles - the pas and aircon pump only old bits left that haven't been changed - though pas has been heavy/lumpy for a wee while now - waiting for my scrappy to get a 406 hdi in - alternator - pas & aircon pump will be £30 the lot...

Routing of belt - over pas, under auto tensioner - over lower damper - over aircon - around alternator and looped over eccentric tensioner - tightening eccentric just to take tension off allen key in hole in auto tensioner - belt flapping on botton

Belt length 1740mm (as per dealers computer) - did orig sell me a 1660mm so thats what computers know - lol

[VespaSkin]

Ahhhh, are you on about the eccentric tensioner (one square hole with allen bolt in middle?)

[lozz]

Vespa : Does your Air con work ?
Does the Free wheeling pulley on it turn freely or does it feel tight or any Grating noises coming from it ?
ihad isues with the Aircon compressor on mine and it was throwing the belts all over the place,
it ended up going through 4 aux belts in 2 mths,

worth checking the Air compressor if youve tried everything else,

[VespaSkin]

Aircon buggered, was thinking of getting a non aircon belt and trying it withour aircon pump (can I tweak it over the top or does the pump need to come off?)

Cheers
Gaz

[lozz]

Aircon buggered, was thinking of getting a non aircon belt and trying it withour aircon pump (can I tweak it over the top or does the pump need to come off?)

Cheers
Gaz

Some people iknow have left the compressor in place but bolted it up so it out of the way (Clearance wize)
idont like that idea, the chap that did mine left it loose, i took it off totaly, got a replacement air compressor and was going to replace it but,
idont miss air con,
there easy enough to remove and you dont need to chop any pipes it just unbolts, cable tie that out of the way tho !
thats if you remove it,
also check first if theres any Refrigerant left in the System before removing any pipes that stuff can make your fingers fall off and make you cough for a month .

[VespaSkin]

It's a minted motor - 250mls for 25ltr - tonks along at 90 , pulls up (not steep) hills in 5th, 4th for steeper - just this whole drivebelt issue getting on my wick now.. Had new crank pulley, auto adjuster, lower engine mount, last owner did both top mounts and clutch (converted to solid) 18 months ago - so can only be alternator (got brand new one but was shagged) PAS (which has been lumpy for a while) or aircon pump

[D9406]

just a thought, on the auto tensioner there are 2 holes used to lock the tensioner in place whilst adjusting the eccentric tensioner. Are you using the correct one as the 2.0 and 2.2 use different ones.The BOL has a good description of how to do it.

[VespaSkin]

Sorted - was sold the wrong auto tensioner - the one I got was smaller than the original... gutted I bought a new lower damper, hey ho.. running ok now...

Thanks for all your input

Gaz