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adam_l

The alternator belt on my 1994 Ducato Knaus makes a screeching noise when starting from cold, but the noise goes away after about 2-3 minutes.

The belt is new, so I presume that this noise is the belt slackening, so I tried to adjust it.

What frustration - I can see and loosen the nut that clamps the alternator, but when it is loose, how does one move the alternator? It buried right behind the engine and there doesnt seem anyway to shift it. With other vehciles its often possible to insert a bar between the alternator and some non-flimsy component and lever the alternator away to tension the belt. But with this van I cant see how do that.

Any ideas or tips on how to make this easy? Am I missing something?

Thanks - Adam

JohnsCrossMotorHomes

If it goes away after a couple of minutes, put some talcum powder on the belt, generally cures squealing.

Peter

some-where-in-oxford

Loosen the nuts just enough to allow it to move when knocked with the wooden handle of a hammer or mallet. If nuts are pinched up enough the alternator will move to tighten the belt and stay there, until tightened again.

Assuming you can get under it to knock it up?

easy

Adam,

Having recently changed the alternator belt on my 89 ducato I am familiar with your frustrations. Quite difficult to get too and I had to remove a cover from the bottom of the engine bay for access.

In your post you mentioned 'loosen the nut' singular. There should be at least 2 bolts/nuts holding the alternator in place.

On mine there was a bottom main mounting bolt and then the bolt on the adjusting arm which was above the alternator looking from underneath the vehicle.

If you loosen both bolts it should move freely. I required a helper to use a lever to apply a light tension to the alternator from above through the open bonnet whilst I tightened the adjuster bolt.

Please be sure not to over tighten the belt as this is a quick way to toast your bearings. I could move the belt 10mm or so when pressed with a finger in the middle of the belt once tightened.

Once the adjuster bolt was tightened I tightned the mounting bolt. Replaced the cover I removed and it has worked perfectly since.

Hope this helps and feel free to PM if I can help any further.

Adrian

adam_l

Spot in - many thanks to all.

The way I eventually managed to dot his was to loosen off the the slider clamp nut and then using a long straight bar and a hammer, (fairly) gently tap on the alternator lug where the clamp bolt passes through.

This moved the alternator back sufficiently to tension the belt. Squealing gone.

You learn summat every day Smile

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