Technical Problem getting auxiliary belt back on

[YellowPuntoFiat]

Hi,
while working on my son's Punto 2014 (JetBlack), we decided to renew the auxiliary belt becuase it did squeal every so often. I had easy experience with my other Punto Grande 2007 recently so thought it should be no problem.

However, it was not possible to get it off as described in the manual, i.e. push against the tensioner and slip it off. The tensioner actually didn't budge at all. So I ended removing the tensioner and getting a new one.

Here is the problem: with the tensioner pin still on, it is impossible to put the new belt on. This tells me that the old belt was definitely over tensioned. But my undrstanding of these models is that there are no other components that can be 'adjusted'. So I'd love to hear about any hacks or other parts that can be adjusted to properly get the belt back on.

Thanks
PS - we did try warming up the belt with hot water to make a bit more elastic but this did not help.

 

[bugsymike]

Hi,
while working on my son's Punto 2014 (JetBlack), we decided to renew the auxiliary belt becuase it did squeal every so often. I had easy experience with my other Punto Grande 2007 recently so thought it should be no problem.

However, it was not possible to get it off as described in the manual, i.e. push against the tensioner and slip it off. The tensioner actually didn't budge at all. So I ended removing the tensioner and getting a new one.

Here is the problem: with the tensioner pin still on, it is impossible to put the new belt on. This tells me that the old belt was definitely over tensioned. But my undrstanding of these models is that there are no other components that can be 'adjusted'. So I'd love to hear about any hacks or other parts that can be adjusted to properly get the belt back on.

Thanks
PS - we did try warming up the belt with hot water to make a bit more elastic but this did not help.

I have generally done it with a spanner on the adjuster in the correct direction and if really tight put another spanner through the open end of the first for extra leverage, not good practice, but if no room for a socket and bar it does work.
You may get slightly more movement then just where the locking pin is holding it.
Always assuming the correct size belt has been supplied.
Once you have it started on the pulleys you may be able to turn the crankshaft with a socket and bar to "wind " the new belt on, don't force it , if it is wrong though.
Once the belt is on, just check that there is some adjustment tensioner movement when pushing on the belt.

 

[jackwhoo]

Maybe belt too short

 

[YellowPuntoFiat]

I have generally done it with a spanner on the adjuster in the correct direction and if really tight put another spanner through the open end of the first for extra leverage, not good practice, but if no room for a socket and bar it does work.
You may get slightly more movement then just where the locking pin is holding it.
Always assuming the correct size belt has been supplied.
Once you have it started on the pulleys you may be able to turn the crankshaft with a socket and bar to "wind " the new belt on, don't force it , if it is wrong though.
Once the belt is on, just check that there is some adjustment tensioner movement when pushing on the belt.

That's why I think there is something wrong. My understanding is that when it is tensioned correctly, there should be 5 mm free movement when you push on it.

 

[YellowPuntoFiat]

Maybe belt too short

Is it possible to find a different size belt? I mean when you search with the plate number there is usually only one option.

 

[jackwhoo]

The search via reg plate is not infallible , often does not cover all the options

 

[jackwhoo]

Use gates online catalogue for all options?

 

[YellowPuntoFiat]

The search via reg plate is not infallible , often does not cover all the options

Just doing a little digging. So GSF (where I got my Bosch belt) says 1145 mm but on Autodoc their brand is 1150 mm. And 5 mm is about how much I need to get it on. Hopefully, that's the issue. Will try and find a local store with the longer belt size.

 

[jackwhoo]

Ask the people in gsf branch they have access to other parts catalogues
And or look yourself at gates online catalogue

 

[YellowPuntoFiat]

Ask the people in gsf branch they have access to other parts catalogues
And or look yourself at gates online catalogue

The Gates catalogue shows:

Length [mm]

1148

So different length to Autodoc and GSF. I'll pass by GSF (closest parts store) tomorrow and see what they can find for me. Thanks.

 

[jackwhoo]

The Gates catalogue shows:

Length [mm]

1148

So different length to Autodoc and GSF. I'll pass by GSF (closest parts store) tomorrow and see what they can find for me. Thanks.

Hi,
That's interesting as 3mm is not enough to make a real difference.

Have you tried holding the tentioner with a spanner, removing pin, turning tensioner with spanner to make more room for belt ?
J

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Hi,
That's interesting as 3mm is not enough to make a real difference.

Have you tried holding the tentioner with a spanner, removing pin, turning tensioner with spanner to make more room for belt ?
J

I've not had a problem in this respect with any of the Fiats but, when there were a number of Skoda/Seat vehicles in the family I had exactly this problem more than once. Luckily the manager at my local trade factor has become a friend over the years so, last time it happened, a few years ago, I sat with him in his office and went through his catalogues. There were a number of varying recommendations. The one I was querying at the time was too short and was slightly shorter than the size quoted. The next size up was actually slightly bigger than the VAG spec. He told me that's not an uncommon problem with aftermarket sizing and usually doesn't cause a problem. I took the slightly longer belt and it worked fine. Ever since then I've always taken the old belt with me to compare.

By the way, checking multiV belts for wear is an interesting proposition which differs some from the checks we've all been used to doing on older belts. Here's a couple of videos on the subject. The first is a short one for you impatient folk. The second has much more info and so worth taking the time to view it.





Don't ask me where you can get the wee plastic checking tool, but I want one so I'll post on here when I find out.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I've not had a problem in this respect with any of the Fiats but, when there were a number of Skoda/Seat vehicles in the family I had exactly this problem more than once. Luckily the manager at my local trade factor has become a friend over the years so, last time it happened, a few years ago, I sat with him in his office and went through his catalogues. There were a number of varying recommendations. The one I was querying at the time was too short and was slightly shorter than the size quoted. The next size up was actually slightly bigger than the VAG spec. He told me that's not an uncommon problem with aftermarket sizing and usually doesn't cause a problem. I took the slightly longer belt and it worked fine. Ever since then I've always taken the old belt with me to compare.

By the way, checking multiV belts for wear is an interesting proposition which differs some from the checks we've all been used to doing on older belts. Here's a couple of videos on the subject. The first is a short one for you impatient folk. The second has much more info and so worth taking the time to view it.





Don't ask me where you can get the wee plastic checking tool, but I want one so I'll post on here when I find out.

Well, don't know what went wrong there? Here's the longer video: