mk4 Alternator & Power Steering belt replace

[transit-richard]

I have a 1994, mk4 transit. Parked up for the last few years but still great condition and runs well. Charged the battery a few days ago and it started first turn of the key. I''m not a mechanic but love messing around with it/cleaning it etc. The alternator & power steering belt has never been changed and I have bought both and hope to replace myself, not in any rush and want to learn as much as possibly as I go. I'm going to remove the radiator next couple of days and give it a flush and i'll update this post again then with some photos in the hope of anyone giving me a few pointers etc.

Am I right in saying I don't need to worry about messing anything up timing wise? I'm not touching that cover or belt so it I turn/clean the alternator pulleys that is fine?


Thank you

[dumper]

No it’s not timed remove the power steering belt first and then the alternator belt replace it and then the power steering belt but before you do take a photo of the belt run I slacken off the pivot bolts just enough to move at both ends of the adjuster bar so the pump and alternator move without resistance
If I remember correctly the adjuster bar has a nut on each side of the alternator pivot I used to just back off the side to slacken the belt enough to remove and slip the new belt on if you find the adjuster is seized up remove it from the van and free it off in the vice

[transit-richard]

Perfect and understood , thank you. I'll put some photos on here first before I slacken the bolts just to make sure I have the right ones

[metalworker0]

Believe it or not diesel fuel does not store well and bacteria can breed in it, called diesel bug

https://www.google.com/search?q=diesel+bug

unless you want trouble .. change the diesel .. or at least siphon some off and have a look at it

all the best.. mark

[gotgcoalman]

If you're going to remove the radiator change the timing belt.

People here will walk you through the process.

It's a shame to do so much work and not change the timing belt while you're at it.

You'll feel so much better if you try





Sent from my LE2101 using Tapatalk

[transit-richard]

Thanks for all replies Had a couple of hours to spare today and van is now at the point where I can access the belts,
I was sorting through my old transit parts too and back when I was last using it I actually purchased the timing belt (along with alternator & power steering) + water pump. So, going to take the advice of the above poster and give it a go I'm going to keep watching some Youtube videos and then make a checklist and see what happens, fingers crossed. The bolts I need to remove next have had a spray of WD40 some hopefully they should release nicely. Saying that though the bolts I needed to remove to get this far came away nicely.

[transit-richard]

All going well and had a bit more time and now fan removed and all the bolts to remove/slacken next have had a good WD40 spray in preparation.

Been reading up and watching guides and will continue to do so.

The locking bar that came with the spanner to remove fan does not sit flushly over the pulley bolts - i can't find an ebay listing that is compatible with the mk4 but will keep looking.

Looking at the tensioner that came with my timing belt kit and it seems to be an auto adjusting one - is it still the case this is best to use rather then the old type?

Thanks

[dumper]

Never used a locking bar before I got a Sikes pickavant thin spanner I used to remove two bolts from the pulley to get a standard spanner in and if it to tight to remove the fan I use a pair of large water pump pliers this is with the belt still on
As for the new type adjuster it’s a bit more fiddly then the old ones just follow the fitting instructions and it it’s not to difficult

[transit-richard]

Thanks Dumper