Aux belt??

What size auxiliary belt are people using for their Grande Punto T-Jets (with air con fitted obviously)? I have a Dayco 5PK1150 Euro’s on at the minute but it currently squeals on cold starts. Alternator is fine, same with belt tensioner. Wondering if going to a Gates 1150 or 1148 would help? I’d love to just go for an OEM belt but I cannot find any definitive info on aux belts in terms of part numbers or specs...

I don't have a T-Jet but my StarJet (with aircon) has a 1150. I tried a Gates 1148 and couldn't get it on so used a Dayco 1150 which was fine.

Original fiat part number is 55232450
https://www.fiatworkshop.co.uk/parts/Grande_Punto_Auxiliary_Belt.shtml
https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Product&ProdID=5408

and if you google the number you can find a picture of the original part
https://allegro.pl/oferta/pasek-klinowy-wielorowkowy-55232450-9732462360

which is 1150

I like Gates products in general but have had problems with their range of sizes for the Fiats. They make one which fits the Panda 1.2 beautifully but I was really toiling to find one for my boy's 1.4 Punto easy. Like you, I fitted another make in the end.

An aircon vehicle will normally have an auto tensioner. Squeal is usually a result of a belt with insufficient tension, but once it squeals, its surfaces become polished, and grip is lost. If it squeals a lot, it will polish the pulleys, which will be a nightmare to roughen up again.

If the belt is a little too long, the tensioner may be near the end of its useful range, so causing the slackness. But whilst the 1148 is only 2mm shorter in circumference, it may be a pain to fit.

How old is the belt? It could just be due replacement, and like-for-like will fix the issue.
How old is the tensioner? They do weaken over time, so might be worth checking price and availability. Tensioners are really just bearings, and when worn can allow the tensioner to move. Needs to be checked with the belt off, for smooth running, and zero play.

Tensioner may have had it and isn’t putting enough pressure on the belt, I’m doing one now because it’s seized and won’t push on the belt quite enough.
For a brand new belt and tensioner it’s about £30 from AUTODOC. I order a lot of parts from them.

You can pick up one on eBay for about £30 without the belt because you’ve already got one although you think it might be the wrong size?

Try a small ammount of talc powder on the belt it can help stop the squeal

chris3234 said:

Try a small ammount of talc powder on the belt it can help stop the squeal

Click to expand...

I'm not sure that lubricating a friction drive is a good idea. Surely all that does is make the slippage quiet.