240 General: Auxiliary belts alignment

[morsing]

Hi,

Does this look right? Can't see anything wrong with the alternator mount, could it be the wrong alternator?



Thanks

[rustytoba]

It looks like something is wrong, however does the engine still run? is there any noticeable noises as if the belts are rubbing against something they shouldn't?

It is hard to see from the picture but it looks like the water pump pulley is a little too close to the block.

Scott

[morsing]

Thanks,

Those belts have 70.000 miles on them no problems. I did replace the alternator at some point, just womdering if it’s the wrong one.

If I move the water pump pulley the power steering pulley won’t align.

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by morsing

If I move the water pump pulley the power steering pulley won’t align.

Yes it will, it's a different belt, nothing to do with the water pump?

You might have a gasket on the water pump to block that is too thin.
The easiest thing is to take the pulley off and put 4 washers on the studs before refitting.

[ksmi]

Hi, I know nothing about 240's but, looking at your photo, could that be a spacer behind the retaining nuts on the w/pump pulley? if so,could it fit behind instead of in front of??? just a thought.
Regards, Keith.

[ThePurplePanther]

Just thinking out loud (and hailing from the 900 series camp) is it supposed to have two belts?

I'm sure mine is a similar pulley arrangement with a single belt, in the above pic it would be belt on front runner of big pulley towards camera (water pump), rear slot on the alternator.

I've had 2 900 series and on both cars there were unused pulley grooves all over the place...

[Stephen Edwin]

Yes there should be two belts. All my 240s have had two belts for the alternator and water pump. If one breaks one can just keep driving and fit two new belts as soon as possible. In case a belt is broken one should of course check under the bonnet regularly. But an under bonnet check should be routine for all cars.

[ThePurplePanther]

Any idea why they moved to single on the 900 series? Improved belt materials?

Sorry for the off topic OP

[geoffo]

Hi what you have is the spacer washer on the wrong end of the long bolt that aligns through the two lugs on the engine. It looks like there’s more than one washer on so don’t know what’s going on. Get the exploded drawing off the web to see the correct order. If you remove the alternator take a pic of the wiring before. When you remove the long bolt 14mm and 13mm nut (I think) the alternator will drop and it’s an absolute sod to align- bend a short length of welding rod at 90 degrees and stuff that in as you remove the bolt; refitting it put the bolt in and shove the bent rod out. Voltage reg is in the alternator might as well do that while you’re on. Should take 20 mins but took me a couple of hours to learn that the hard way!

[morsing]

Originally Posted by geoffo

Hi what you have is the spacer washer on the wrong end of the long bolt that aligns through the two lugs on the engine. It looks like there’s more than one washer on so don’t know what’s going on. Get the exploded drawing off the web to see the correct order. If you remove the alternator take a pic of the wiring before. When you remove the long bolt 14mm and 13mm nut (I think) the alternator will drop and it’s an absolute sod to align- bend a short length of welding rod at 90 degrees and stuff that in as you remove the bolt; refitting it put the bolt in and shove the bent rod out. Voltage reg is in the alternator might as well do that while you’re on. Should take 20 mins but took me a couple of hours to learn that the hard way!

Hi,

Thanks, that sounds like a plan!

I've always been told the reason for two belts is they need less tension and are gentler on beaarings...