Punto (Mk2/2b) how to remove alternator belt 2003 punto 1.3 diesel

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Punto (Mk2/2b) how to remove alternator belt 2003 punto 1.3 diesel

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Hi, just purchased a 1.3 multijet 2003 Punto NON Air Con Model. This car is very easy to work on but I cant find a workshop manual for the diesel variant. I am trying to replace the cracked ribbed alternator drive belt. My model has NO AIR CON. I loosened the 15mm nut on what I believe to be the plastic tensioner wheel but the wheel does not move, does not look spring loaded and is solid. How do you release the tension on the ribbed belt so I can remove the belt. Kind Regards for any help.
 
Looking on EuroCarparts - using default settings
Fiat - Punto - 2004 - 1.3 - diesel

There are 2 tensioners listed
Both are sprung tensioners

-------------

having done a 1.3 diesel astra which is the same engine
It is a sprung loaded tensioner
Just stick a spanner on the nut on the plastic tenioner and i just pulled / pushed depend how you get your spanner to release tension off the belt
But be-aware it'll respring back to the max setting meaning when you refit the belt - it can take alot more elbow grease to get it back into place

ziggy
 
Looking on EuroCarparts - using default settings
Fiat - Punto - 2004 - 1.3 - diesel

There are 2 tensioners listed
Both are sprung tensioners

-------------

having done a 1.3 diesel astra which is the same engine
It is a sprung loaded tensioner
Just stick a spanner on the nut on the plastic tenioner and i just pulled / pushed depend how you get your spanner to release tension off the belt
But be-aware it'll respring back to the max setting meaning when you refit the belt - it can take alot more elbow grease to get it back into place

ziggy


I am still confused, sorry, I have photographed what I believe to be the tensioner plastic pulley wheel, but if I turn the 15mm nut left the nut just loosens, I have tried to turn it right with my socket set but it does not spring and loosen, am I not turning the nut hard enough, I dont want to strip the thread or break it if its not ment to move. I dont see how this is sprung. This forum wont let me add the images to this reply ??? until I have 5 posts, dont understand that, they are on my profile anyway if you could have a look.
 
I am still confused, sorry, I have photographed what I believe to be the tensioner plastic pulley wheel, but if I turn the 15mm nut left the nut just loosens, I have tried to turn it right with my socket set but it does not spring and loosen, am I not turning the nut hard enough, I dont want to strip the thread or break it if its not ment to move. I dont see how this is sprung. This forum wont let me add the images to this reply ??? until I have 5 posts, dont understand that, they are on my profile anyway if you could have a look.

Do you have this kind of tensioner?

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...yqE_62U1S4P9MS0JSNcpMMl9D4OzBmERTZRoD9bIMZKoQ

The idea with these kind of tensioners if you only have an ordinary socket wrench is to position yourself so you can very strongly turn the bolt clockwise and then the plastic wheel moves to loosen the belt. On my car I can only access the bolt with a socket from below where I have to lie down and really give it a very good push. If I am putting the belt back on I tie the socket to the suspension so it cannot go anticlockwise and then come back up to the top to sort the belt out. The tension is sufficient that doing this with one hand while messing with the belt is a bit of a mission.

You can get an extra long tensioner spanner so you can work from above but with only a spanner on I have insufficient strength with my fingers stretching in a small space to move the spanner - I cant make a proper fist to hold the spanner from above.
 
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Hi if you look in "Gallery" on this forum and see recent pictures you will see the three images of the tensioner under my profile fiatpunt0
 
Hi if you look in "Gallery" on this forum and see recent pictures you will see the three images of the tensioner under my profile fiatpunt0

So you have a standard tensioner

just turn that oily bolt clockwise and the wheel and the arm it is on move to slacken the belt. Seems to me from the other picture you have that there is plenty of room to get a socket on there from above.
 

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success, many thanks. as you say, fitted 15mm socket on the nut, my son pulled it clockwise which released the tension, I removed belt, slipped new one on and then son slowly released back making sure all the ribs were aligned, 5 minute job if you know what you are doing and the kind people on this forum have taught me and my son this simple job, belt we took off was the original one and completely shoot.
 
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