Went to use my W reg Seicento (899cc) last week in the freezing weather, started the motor, then witnessed billowing white/blue tint smoke from under the bonnet. Killed the ignition, opened the bonnet and a clean snap seen through the alternator belt.
My first impression was the alternator had seized, but can still turn freely (not sure if it was frozen, or had freed up by that point if it had been frozen and temp. seized)

Anyway, was wondering if the water pump may have seized, like frozen up? The car only ran for a few seconds, so what do you guys suppose it might be?

I have a new fanbelt to fit in the morning, but want to get your ideas before I do it-I don't want to go to that hassle if the water pump is finished...Is there any other signs to tell if the WP is dead?

So, I look forward to your replies,and any useful tips regarding changing the belt too please!

Thankyou

Matt

water pump is a doddle to remove,can get a bit fiddly but youll get there 4x13mm bolts iirc and relative hoses,check the blades for damage if all is well replace as removal and dont forget to top up with antifreeze and bleed the system should be a guide on here how to bleed the system if your not sure.turn the engine over by hand off the crankshaft just to check nothing is seized,frozen ect.ad

Ok, thanks will do that.
I have read some on this forum regarding fanbelt changing, some say loosen the alternator bolts, some say take off the crank pulley.

Is it too easy to mess with the timing near the sensor? What do you think is the best approach?

Incidentally, my car was making the dreaded screechy sound, worse at night when alternator under load.
Clearly the belt was on the way out, but do you suppose that my belt breaking on startup wasn't helped by it being worn?

Just getting nervous about replacing the belt as I have to jack her up on blocks and take the wheel liner out. There are 3 bolts to remove the liner. In my experience, these things usually are corroded by weather etc.Is this likely, or are they pretty easy to remove?

Sorry about the multitudious q's but want to do this right first time!

Many thanks for your inputs, very much appreciated.

Matt

Am about to spry all relevant bolts with WD40 tonight, might help matters in the morning.

On the 899 you will have to move the alternator AND take of the crank outer pulley.

The alternator needs to move to tension the belt (don't overtension, this will cause the alternator to chew its bearings).

The crank pulley needs to be removed because you don't want to risk moving the crank sensor bracket. That WILL be seized and will shear when trying to remove.

The belt goes behind the crank sensor so the sensible way to do that is to remove the pulley.

Cheers

D

Thanks, much appreciated, very useful information, which will help stop me scratching my head!

I will tackle the beast in the morning, and get back later with my progress. Am crossing my fingers now!

Thanks again

Matt

Well, am very happy to report that the belt is on, set it up with about 25mm play each way to reduce the load on the alternator bearings, but the job wasn't simple (to me anyway)
Sequence:
Jack up car, handbrake fully on, place axle stand underneath, remove jack, remove wheel (after loosening studs slightly on wheel before lifting it off the ground)

Remove 3 hex head self tappers from plastic arch lining, I think, 6mm spanner used,I couldn't get the whole thing out, even took the mudflap off, but the side of the arch near to the door was not budging, so simply bent it back for proper access to the alternator etc.

The old belt was jammed between the pulley, not possible to remove from the open bonnet end, but easy to pull from underneath. I think the belt snapped when I started it in the cold,and then it became jammed hence all the smoke.

I removed the 2 small hex head screws holding the timing sensor bracket in, (didn't shear!) then took out the alternator bolts (2) completely, this made it easy to get the new belt on, then had to get my brother to hold the alternator firmly against the facings whilst I re inserted the bolts. Note: It is not possible to do this alone,as any angle at all from the alternator makes it totally impossible to replace the bolts, they need a completely unimpeded straight in refastening, if it touches the alt. body whilst you do this, no way can it be done.
That done, I adjusted the belt tension. The belt used was a Goodyear, part number 10AV0800. I had ordered a genuine Fiat part online before Christmas, but it still hadn't arrived so bought the Goodyear part from a local motor factor store.

Replacing the wheel arch liner initially looked difficult, but found that after retightening the 3 self tapper hex head screws back in,it clipped in easily.

So there we are, that was my approach and hope other DIY fixers can benefit from my experiences outlined above.

I have had lots of different cars, and generally it's easy to replace a broken belt, usually simply loosen the alternator pivot, and setting bolt, replace belt and reset tension, none of this jacking up, taking wheel and liner out malarky, but at least, if I need to do it again it will be simple next time.

The new belt still screeches, but very very quietly compared with the old belt, and stops once the revs are up.

Anyone have any tips to stop it? I read something about washing up liquid or Redex, which will be the best method please?

Thanks for the help guys and hope someone else finds this information useful.

Matt

Total time spent on this job: 3 hours.

Anyone have any tips to stop it? I read something about washing up liquid or Redex, which will be the best method please?

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wee bit more tension in the belt should do it. Redex etc on the belt is just to clean it in case any oil/grease is causing the slipping. Could try it, if it carries on then it's not dirty - just too loose.

Personally I wouldn't put it on a new belt, it should be clean and I don't know what it'd do to the belt.

25mm each way is a bit too sloppy. Tighten, just don't overtighten.

Cheers

D

agred a new belt will need retension as it will settle in after a few hundred miles and loosen. 25mm is too loose for a service belt.

Redex works by softening a belt sirface that has been work hardened I not use it on a new belt.

Noel

ahh that's the reason for redex

Damn, too lose? Well, will have to leave that for a while, means jacking up with the near useless Fiat jack, and taking the arch liner out again..it will need adjusting soon, so will do it again next week.
It was turning everything ok and the heater started working pretty quick, so will have to do for now.

And, I must add antifreeze..

Yes, you must add anti freeze.

Are you suggesting there was no anti freeze during the big freeze?

You can adjust the alternator from the top without taking the wheel off.

Cheers

D

BravoOne said:

And, I must add antifreeze..

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ahh i remember when i didnt check for anti-freeze when i bought my 899 one cracked head later.....

just adjust the alternator from the top

Ash