Hi,

Need to replace the squealing alternator belt on my 1.1 Cinqua. Anyone done this or know how to best access the bolts/belt?

Thanks,

Richard

Only sensible way to do it is to remove the OS wheelarch liner. Once that's off, it's really obvious. A battery powered electric drill makes removing all those little screws (with bolt heads) easier.

altenator bolts are 16mm not 17

cut the old one off, slip the belt over the alternator side, half on the bottom pulley. but the car in 1st and push it backwards. jobs done

arc said:

cut the old one off, slip the belt over the alternator side, half on the bottom pulley. but the car in 1st and push it backwards. jobs done

Click to expand...

Reminds me of my X1/9 days. Will give it a go, thanks - but on a day when don't need the car in case can't get the new one on too sharpish and have to resort to the 'correct' wheel-arch liner off approach.

Will post the results, for better or worse... Thanks everyone and good to know about the 16mm factor, don't have a spanner that size but have socket set

You will need a spanner if you have to adjust the tension, or if the other method above wont work

Slightly undo the bottom bolt, then reach the spanner up from underneath to the top bolt, undo, you may have to swap your spanner round to get the nut undone enough to adjust

use a small crowbar from above, ideally a 3rd hand is useful, push the alternator away from the engine against the new belt, not too tight, then nip up the top nut, followed by the bottom one

test the engine to see its ok, then refit the arch liner and then the wheel.