Hi,

Well I've finally run into a problem with my dear old multipla. Bought it brand new in 2002 and have run it ever since. It got most of the 'usual' faults but yesterday the alternator belt broke . Luckily it has not done any damage to the cam belt (well nothing apparent anyway) and I have a replacement belt, but how the hell to I move the tensioner! I've tried pushing it with a big stick and wedging it (mainly with skin from my knuckles!).

Is there a knack to getting the belt on? Is there a means of adjusting the tensioner (that takes off the tension)? The pulley looks OK and if I could get the new belt on I could at least drive it to a garage. Surely it isn't just brute force!:bang: I'm glad it broke close to home, I had always thought I could just replace it at the roadside!

Graham

Big spanner on the tensioner nut and turn , whilst holding it get your third hand and fit the belt.

JTDman said:

Big spanner on the tensioner nut and turn , whilst holding it get your third hand and fit the belt.

Click to expand...

Sorry to be a bit thick, but before I shear off something expensive, where is the tensioner nut? Are we talking the bolt on the tensioner (lower) pulley or something more secret.

Thanks,

Graham

The tensioner pulley bolt.

A big thank-you for the swift replies

It's easy when you know how! I ended up with a spanner with an old steel tent pole hooked over one end to give a bit more leverage. Luckily I only have small hands (now even smaller with the removal of some skin and flesh) and could just about get into the area. Goodness knows how someone with goalkeeper hands would get on.

Multipla is back on the road!

Thanks again,

Graham

Ive got sausage fingers.

And I've got goalie's hands!

Does that mean it can be done from above, or is all this done through the wheelarch?

Through the wheelarch. You'll have to remove the wheel (obviously!) then take out the plastic inner mudguard. After that access is pretty easy.

You'll still get skint knuckles though...

Like puttin your hand inside an inverted hedgehog.

I did one on a Cinqy once. That was exciting as well.:slayer: