Thread: ****box rally - AU Fairmont - fan belt / idler problem.

The belt doesn't look to be fitted correctly.

Google Image Result for http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/kenbam/2009-11-09_060940_serpbelt..jpg

Originally Posted by Toppa

Hey gang,

I have been donated an AU Fairmont to drive in a charity rally - the ****box Rally, its got an issue that i need to sort out. Im hoping someone on here has more ideas about fords than i do.

The problem is the fan belt is cutting into the idler arm. I cant work out what is out of alignment. Is this a normal issue? I think its also got a shot bearing given the noise.

Anyway, any advice would be well received.



Here is a dodgy photo which kinda shows what im talking about. You can kind of see where the belt is hitting the idler arm in the bottom left of the pic.

Cheers
Chris

uploadfromtaptalk1382472392061.jpg

I would check and make sure the belt is sitting correctly in the grooves on the harmonic balancer it looks like its not in the pic cheers ken

Originally Posted by Outback 1

I would check and make sure the belt is sitting correctly in the grooves on the harmonic balancer it looks like its not in the pic cheers ken

Thanks Ken, the belt sits perfectly on the HB, but slightly off the smooth pully above it. The one that feed the belt on to the idler. You can make it out in this pic. To me it looks like the idler arm is sitting too close to the block but i cant see how as it doesnt look to be any adjustment in that direction.

uploadfromtaptalk1382484708587.jpg

Is there any movement in the idler pulley without tension? Also put a straight edge across the HB and (with measurements of the HB face to the front edge of the belt) compare to the belt location on the idler, make a spacer for the ldler to this size.

Maybe hit up your local Ford daler service, tell them it's for a charity thing and you're trying to sort it and se if they have a service bulletin or any knowledge of the same issue.

Originally Posted by BigJon

The belt doesn't look to be fitted correctly.

Google Image Result for http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/kenbam/2009-11-09_060940_serpbelt..jpg

Jon, look like you maybe correct. Different path over pulley 1. Not sure what the consequence of this would be?

But the image is slightly different to the real thing.

Ive managed to get a copy of the workshop manual so ill double check the belt route over the pullies when i get home.. . Stay tuned

Is the belt tensioner used on the Ford the typical clock type spring tensioning a pulley onto the serpentine belt ? Similar to what's found in Commodores and Land Rovers ?

If so the problem may be wear in the centre bolt hole of the tensioner assembly which, under the tension of the spring, 'cocks' (I hope the swear filter doesn't get me here ) the tensioner pulley which then deflects the belt and causes it to run off centre. In bad cases it can cause the ribbed side of the belt to jump one slot on a ribbed pulley.

This was the case on my old Defender. The previous owner had cut a half disc out of an old ice cream container lid and placed it between the back of the tensioner and the block to compensate. It worked quite effectively once I worked out what it was for.

Deano