Changing fan belt help!

[MrC]

Hi again all, (quite a few posts recently I know!)

My new-to-me/second-hand Transit Connect has a squeaky belt. A common problem I know and I've read various posts about it including this one:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=58351

But a really simple question (or two maybe!) which the others haven't covered:

Given I've never done it before (and a Connect may be different to other vans), should I try to replace the belt myself (maybe not the belts fault???) or better to pay the garage down the road?

(and) Am I likely to have to fit new tensioner (and any other parts) too when I potentially find out my work was in vain?

(last one!) Given the above mentioned post, is it likely the garage would struggle fix the problem (and get expensive )?

The noise is of a constant pitch, sometimes very loud particularly at low revs and occasionally stops abruptly without rhyme nor reason. I've sprayed silicone at it a few times and it stops for about 3 seconds then back to usual . Seen a YouTube video where someone used a candle stick to stop the squeak - I take it these sorts of quick-fix are only ever temporary??

Van is TRANSIT CONN T220 L90 2007.

Cheers

[MrC]

[Wobby]

Changing the belt is simple but i doubt that will fix it!

I have just changed both the idler and tensioner pulleys on mine (both were knackered), my noise was a constant "worn bearing" type of noise and when i checked the pulleys both wern't smooth to spin with the belt off.

I do have another noise but thats the power steering pump on its way out (althouth its been on its way out for the last 100k miles!). This noise does come and go like yours seems to.

Idler pulley is simple to change but the tensioner pulley isn't easy as there is no room around it and the power steering pump is mounted to it.

PS. Re read your post, are you sure its a squeaky belt? I've never had that! Didn't think you would have that with the auto tensioners on modern vehicles unless the tensioner spring is on its way out? If it was mine i would take the belt off and inspect the belt and both pulleys for wear

[MrC]

Thanks for reply Wobby,

Yeah, I'm worried it's something else too and that I'll just get into a fiddle trying to fix it, so it's great to eliminate some of the possibilities on the forum first... If that's possible for this issue?

But yes I think taking belt off and inspecting pullies sounds like the best first step. Haynes Manual just arrived!

Also, the noise does stop when I spray silicone at the general area for a few seconds... it only stops for a few seconds though. So does that mean it's definitely a surface issue rather than a baring or pump? (he says, hoping it is! )

[MrC]

Ok, so looked at belt from lying under van, looks pretty worn. But wear is on the smooth side. There is an indent running the whole length I reckon, on one side. Haynes Manuel makes it sound dead easy to replace!

Going to order belt first before starting on it but anyone know if I should buy one of these timing belt kits? Or is that what people also call a Cam Belt? Let's get this right, the squeaky one, visible on the outside of engine is the auxiliary belt? Doh!

And are there tonnes of different ones or can I order any connect belt off Ebay?
Cheers.

[Honey monster]

The one you can see and turns the power steering, etc is the auxiliary belt, Just go to Fords or any parts dealer and give them your reg number and they should give you the right belt.

[Enzo200500]

Changed mine yesterday - took about 15 minutes all in.

Exactly the same noises, stopped when sprayed with WD!!

I did fit a New Ford belt when I purchased the van about 2 years ago, fitted a Gates belt this time.

Two 8mm bolts holding the plastic shroud under the van and a 15mm ring spanner on the belt tensioner to slacken the belt for remove/replace.

Easy on car ramps, but you could do with drivers wheel on kerb!

[MrC]

Ah, great news Enzo,

Might have to be the curbside styley. Still have to order belt yet - busy old Sunday!

Btw, I've read all over the place that you should never spray WD40 on belt. Not that you need to now!

[Enzo200500]

Just used it to confirm it was belt and not a bearing going tits up!!

Good luck with the fitting.

[MrC]

Ah, is that the key!? Well that is reassuring.

[MrC]

So what could be so difficult about buying a belt then?! I'm having real trouble with this one!

Ford website no use at all! My local dealer is a long way from here too.

I look up "ford parts" in Google and get these websites that want to sell me seat covers and mud flaps but not much else. One of them would go so far as sell me a timing belt but no sign of an auxiliary belt.

I look up "Transit Connect Auxiliary Belt" and I get these parts sites that want me to give them no.plate, email, phone, address etc (which is fine) but then I have to wait for every dealer in the country to give me a call or something!??? I just want the belt man!

So here I am on another site (scroll down half way):

http://www.fordonlineparts.co.uk/manufa ... tml?page=2

...seems to have a selection of belts but no advice one which one I need. And what's the Lynx/Zitec thing all about?

Anyone put me strait on this one?? Would be much appreciated... indeed!

My Van is 57plate; 2007; t220; L90. No air-con

[Enzo200500]

You've got a pm matey.....

[MrC]

Many thanks to Enzo for sourcing me a belt!

And now I've fitted it I feel rather proud of myself! Could have done with a longer spanner though as there's quite a bit of tension to pull back on the tensioner to get the new one on, but have to say it's unbelievably simple to do!

So, it's all quiet which is very satisfying, but I'm still suspicious: The old belt didn't look too bad actually, nothing missing or frayed, rather shiny on the flat side but with this continuous dent pressed in close to one side (of the flat side). Now when I look at the tensioner wheel (after it's run for a while) it's not perfectly centred (the belt runs right up to one side of the wheel) and I'm wondering if this is how the dent got pressed in - from the belt sometimes running off the side of the wheel. Also when no belt was on the wheel, it did wobble very slightly and appeared to be rather worn out - tiny hairline fractures all over, though my eyes may have mistaken me, could just be debris imprinted on it. Does anyone know if it's possible to adjust the alightment of the tensioner If so, is it something I can do, or better to ask a garage Perhaps it's not the tentioner but one of the wheels next to it

Any experiences/help greatly received!

[Wobby]

Could have done with a longer spanner though as there's quite a bit of tension to pull back on the tensioner to get the new one on, but have to say it's unbelievably simple to do!

Did you not graze your knuckles as the spanner pulls up into the inner wing? Bloody thing got me first time i did it, its not got me since though!

I don't think there is any adjustment on the pulleys, if its got a wobble it most likely needs changing. Did you spin the tensioner and idler pulley?

[MrC]

Hi Wobby,

No grazed knuckles but spanner flung off a couple of times, missing my head/face by inches! Others, be warned!

I spun the tensioner wheel yes, that's the one that wobbles a tiny bit, the one you pull down with the spanner. But the idler pulley? Which bit's that then?? There's six wheels on mine (no air-con).

Also, others (and Haynes) have talked about taking the guard/cover off first. Am I missing a part per chance? Cos there's no guard on mine. Though Haynes says to use axle stands and remove wheel first also (having no axle stands I skipped that bit - drove van onto large block )