V-belt or poly-V belt tension

4-cylinder engine V-belt tension

Alternator V-belt
1 – clamping bolt;
2 – adjusting nut with toothed rim;
3 – adjusting bracket.

V-belt of the power steering pump
1 – safety bolt;
2 – clamp bolt;
3 – adjusting nut with toothed flange.

Crankshaft pulley components on models with 4-cylinder engine and air conditioning
1 – pulley hub;
2 – spare adjusting washers;
3 – front pulley half;
4 – adjusting washers;
5 – rear pulley half.

The illustration shows the installation position of the air conditioning compressor (1) on the 4-cylinder engine. The 4-cylinder engine has an additional pulley (2) installed at the front, on which the belt tension is adjusted.

Models with 4-cylinder engines

PROCEDURE

Alternator V-belt up to September 1991: loosen the clamp bolt on the alternator adjusting bracket.

Turn the adjusting nut with toothed flange located below until the belt tension is correct.

Tighten the clamp bolt.

If the alternator cannot be moved, loosen its pivot bolt.

It is accessible from the front after removing the timing belt cover.

If the pivot bolt was loosened, tighten it last.

Alternator V-belt after October 1991: loosen the clamp bolt on the alternator mounting bracket.

Loosen the pivot bolt at the bottom of the alternator and check that it moves freely.

Tighten to 6 N·m and hold the adjusting nut with toothed flange using a 22 mm open-end torque wrench. This ensures correct belt tension.

Tighten the clamp bolt.

Tighten the pivot bolt last.

V-belt for water pump and power steering pump: remove the engine compartment lower cover (refer to Body Elements chapter).

Loosen the clamp bolt on the power steering pump mounting bracket.

Turn the adjusting nut with toothed flange located below until the belt tension is correct.

Tighten the clamp bolt.

If the power steering pump cannot be moved, loosen its pivot bolt.

Air conditioning compressor V-belt: belt tension is adjusted by removing or adding adjusting washers between the front and rear pulley halves. More adjusting washers between the pulley halves means less belt tension. Fewer adjusting washers between the pulley halves results in greater belt tension.

Spare adjusting washers must be installed between the hub and the front pulley half.

Tighten the nuts to 25 N·m, making sure the V-belt does not jam between the pulley halves.

Turn the crankshaft two full revolutions.

Check belt tension by pressing firmly with the thumb on the free span between the crankshaft and the air conditioning compressor.

Start the engine and let it run briefly.

Check the V-belt tension again and, if necessary, add or remove adjusting washers.

When the belt tension is correct, tighten the bolts again to 25 N·m.

Models with 5-cylinder engines

V-belt tension on 5-cylinder engine

Alternator V-belt
1 – toothed rack;
2 – adjusting nut with toothed flange;
3 – clamp bolt.

Power steering pump V-belt.
1 – adjusting bolt;
2 – mounting nut of the mounting rack;
3 – mounting nut of the pivot rack.

PROCEDURE

Alternator V-belt: loosen the clamp bolt on the mounting rack.

Turn the adjusting nut with toothed flange located below until the belt tension is correct.

Tighten the clamp bolt.

If the alternator cannot be turned, loosen the pivot bolt (lower alternator mounting) slightly with the engine compartment lower cover removed.

Power steering pump V-belt: loosen the mounting nuts on the mounting rack and the pivot rack.

To tension the belt, turn the tensioning bolt counterclockwise, i.e. loosen it.

Tighten the nuts again.

Air conditioning compressor V-belt: loosen the clamp bolts at the front and rear of the air conditioning compressor bracket.

Move the air conditioning compressor bracket together with the compressor toward the right side of the vehicle. If necessary, use a lever from below.

If the belt tension is correct, tighten the clamp bolts again.

Models with 6-cylinder engines

Poly-V belt tension on 6-cylinder engine. The illustration shows the tensioner roller locked with a hexagonal punch, which allows it to be turned with an open-end wrench. The photo shows a star bolt, onto which a star socket with a suitable open-end wrench (2) is fitted for turning. The pin (1; in the illustration the punch performs this role) is inserted into the hole provided on the tensioner, so the tensioner is held in this position.

Poly-V belt tension is maintained by a tensioner roller loaded by a spring. No adjustment is required.

If the spring is broken, the belt hangs loosely over the pulleys. In this case, replace the tensioner.