Hi Guys,

Year 2001 Fiat Ducato 2.8 JTD (with cab aircon).

I just had the two auxiliary drive belts (NOT the timing belt, but the aux belts that drive the alternator, air con compressor etc) replaced, and now there's a slight but definite squeal noise when I first start the engine.
It goes after maybe half a second to one second, but was never there before the belts were changed.

I've had a look at the new belts and both feel very tight indeed - perhaps too tight?- to me, but I don't know how much tension should be on them.

Has anyone got any info or advice on how much tension should be on such belts, as I'm thinking of easing off the tensioner wheels a little to see if that removes the startup squealing.

Many thanks for any help.

Bruce,

the eLearn I have is largely silent about the tensions for these belts.

Such info as there is is attached:

Thanks Hugh.

Yes that is indeed the lower of the two drive belts on my Ducato.

But as you say, buggerall information about how much tension to put on the belt using the adjuster!

I assume the same total lack of information about belt tensioning applies to the "Elearn" manual description of how to change the upper drive belt as well.

Any mechanics out there who can advise on tensioning these belts correctly please?

Hi
Your problem seems to very common after the multi-groove auxiliary belts are changed.
I have changed both the belts on our 2.8JTD & ours does exactly the same, I have also experienced this on our Mazda after its A/C belt was changed( the one running the alternator was a normal "V" belt.
It seems from what I can see these multi groove belts (which seem to last a lot longer than V belts) wear themselves into the multi-groove pulleys so that the original belt & pulley wear to match.
Then when a new belt is installed it takes considerable mileage for them to match up to each other hence the squealing on starting the engine, it seems once running for a few seconds or even minutes it disappears.
Cheers