SteveNZ said:
Am I missing somehting to your question? Because if it didnt spin the belt would burn out on the idler?
Tipos with power steering have the multi rib belt and idler setup.
Thats what I was thinkning. my question will make more sense when I explain this (wee bit long)
When I got my Tipo, I never knew what any "special parts" under the bonnet did. made sure it was serviced and timing belt changed as thats all I knew had to be done on me new (7 previous owners) car.
Few days later the Idler Pully Made a funny sound and fell off at 60mph on a Dual Carriageway. It was never found and I never saw what it looked like.
When this happened the power steering, water pump and alternator stopped cause the belt was now slack (read "off" but still intact)
I had broken down far from home and the AA towed me to the nearest Garage. The Garage had my car for nearly a month as Fiat kept sending a Large size belt but the garage fixing it didn't know about the Idler Pully as it was missing and I didn't know either so he kept phoning me telling me Fiat keep sending the wrong belt.
He then just used a smaller belt and I was driving fine on that up until a few days ago when my Alternator died and a Garage fitted the Idler Pully and larger belt after replacing the Alternator. What I've noticed is that it doesn't look like its spinning and I'm not sure if its meant to because it is a very smooth roller and the word "Idler" kind of means to slow down?
Anyway when I turn on all me electrics at night the engine idle speed drops dramitacally by about 300rpm where as before without this pully it only dropped maybe 50rpm.
So thats why I asked is it meant to spin or not, I was thinking of the heat build up on a long journey and didn't want the belt to snap leaving me stranded again.
Also slightyly off topic but, without this pully, technically, the engine should have less friction to deal with and should run smoother and accelerate easier?