charging problem how to tighten belt ?

[vtecpower]

hey people my rev2 tubby developed a charging problem.. basically sometimes when im at a set of traffic lights with my lights and radio on i get the 4 lights for the alternator coming up soon as i drive they go off..

but it doesnt do this all the time i can go for like 3 or 4 days and it dont do this and sometimes it will do it 2 or 3 times in 1 day (again at traffic lights soon as i pull off goes away then at next set of lights its ok).. and sometimes when i start the car in the rain the belt squeeks for a few seconds..

i dont think its the alternator as this was changed 2 years ago and if it was the alternator the lights would always be on this only happens SOMETIMES and i dont think that and the battery was also changed 2 years ago (a good bosch one)

car starts first time all the time without a problem so battery gets charged like i said it only sometimes has the lights coming on not all the time ..

so im wondering can i tighten the belt from the top of the car (cant get underneath her lol) and if i can how do i do it?? (never tightened a belt before) and see how i go from there

many thanks in adavnce and MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR

[djpkins]

exactly the same symptoms as a fkd alternator about to let go...if you have had an oil leak or even spilled a signif amount of oil onto the alt when topping up...you could've fkd it matey...easiest test is to put a multimeter across the battery terminals.
Should read about 12.4 when stationary and about 13.9 when running...the car produces a bit more to help with power steering etc.
Check the electrolite levels in the battery, cold weather kills 'em dead real quick, if the level has been too low for too long, the battery will need replacing..
To tighten the belt, slacken off the securing bolt on the side and wind she out a bit on the end adjuster bolt.

[vtecpower]

exactly the same symptoms as a fkd alternator about to let go...if you have had an oil leak or even spilled a signif amount of oil onto the alt when topping up...you could've fkd it matey...easiest test is to put a multimeter across the battery terminals.
Should read about 12.4 when stationary and about 13.9 when running...the car produces a bit more to help with power steering etc.
Check the electrolite levels in the battery, cold weather kills 'em dead real quick, if the level has been too low for too long, the battery will need replacing..
To tighten the belt, slacken off the securing bolt on the side and wind she out a bit on the end adjuster bolt.

can i get to this bolt from the top of the car buddy ??

[dantheman]

yes you can. Have a look at the following picture. You undo the 'pivot bolt' and the 'adjusting lock bolt'. Now turn the adjusting bolt (probably anticlockwise) so that the altenator is pulled away from the engine. Then tighten the adjusting and pivot bolts.

[vtecpower]

yes you can. Have a look at the following picture. You undo the 'pivot bolt' and the 'adjusting lock bolt'. Now turn the adjusting bolt (probably anticlockwise) so that the altenator is pulled away from the engine. Then tighten the adjusting and pivot bolts.

oops i went clockwise

[vtecpower]

makes sence ill go unwid the bolt

[vtecpower]

edit.. i undid the locking bolt and undid the adjusting bolt i think i went a little over board as it came a bit wobbly (the adjustin bolt) !! so tightened it back up abit now the belt DEFINATLY feels more tight but not too tight..

ill see how i get on

hope everyone has a good christmas

[vtecpower]

exactly the same symptoms as a fkd alternator about to let go...if you have had an oil leak or even spilled a signif amount of oil onto the alt when topping up...you could've fkd it matey...easiest test is to put a multimeter across the battery terminals.
Should read about 12.4 when stationary and about 13.9 when running...the car produces a bit more to help with power steering etc.
Check the electrolite levels in the battery, cold weather kills 'em dead real quick, if the level has been too low for too long, the battery will need replacing..
To tighten the belt, slacken off the securing bolt on the side and wind she out a bit on the end adjuster bolt.

my bosch battery is a maintaince free battery! the alternator does look clean and i havent spilt oil on her as i use a funnel when topping up my oil...

i have tightened the belt up ill see how i get on if it still messed up guess i got to get the alternator recond

[vtecpower]

Update : I have tightened the alternator belt now when I'm at traffics lights I don't get the 4 lights off death.. The belt doesn't make noise like it did before and the dashboard lights do not get brighter as I rev up the car (there nice and bright now).. And before when I wAs giving the tubby beans at 5000 rpm the 4 lights would come on and now it dont.

Only time will tell so I'll see how I get on. I hope everything is ok as the battery alternator and belt are 2 years old

[Trevmr2]

I'm no expert, but I believe you can over tighten the belt which is worse than slightly slack because it will destroy the bearings in the alternator through too much pressure.

My alternator has made an awful grindy noise on the overrun since I've had the car (6 months) but charges correctly, was thinking about changing it but I've heard it's a very nasty job.

[vtecpower]

I'm no expert, but I believe you can over tighten the belt which is worse than slightly slack because it will destroy the bearings in the alternator through too much pressure.

My alternator has made an awful grindy noise on the overrun since I've had the car (6 months) but charges correctly, was thinking about changing it but I've heard it's a very nasty job.

Over tight probably can kill the bearings but compared to other cars I have had the belt was loose..

Tightened it up and I'll see how I get on

[djpkins]

Take advice and replace the alternator belt matey...and it doesn't matter if your maintenance free Bosch battery is 2 years or 2 months old...if you've caned it and the electrolyte level has been too low for too long...it'll kill it, and as the cold weather is just around the corner it would be wise to keep an eye on it and a back up ready to go.