Alternator Belt?

[sedona no 1]

Hi guys, we seem to be having an issue at the moment with our battery. Not enough ooomph to turn the motor over in the morning. It did start first time when jumped so the battery was a bit low. This is the second time this has happened and both times were fine once jump started.

For a while now we have had a noise coming from what i think is something to do with the belts, it stops when the revs are up. Now i'm thinking that the alternator belt is slightly slack and needs tightening as it is the squeal from the alternator belt we can hear slipping. I checked the Volts over the terminals with engine running and at about 1500RPM's and it was about 13.8 volts. Is this correct? I have read somewhere it should be over 14 Volts.

Can someone tell me how to tighten the alternator belt to see if this is the problem before we go out and buy a new battery.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[sedona no 1]

there must be someone who has replaced the alternator/belt so how did you tighten the belt enough? i need to know as i want to attempt this tommorrow.

please help.

[Chris du Plessis]

Hi there Sedona 01

I have not yet done this, but I have stripped my Carnival engine down to the bare block. Attached is a pic of the tentioner. On my car it is spring loaded so all you need to do is take a 17 or 19 mm spanner (I cant remember wich one it was) and turn it titening the spring. Place the belt over the tentioner wheel and then release the tentioner. The spring does the rest.


Kind Regards

Chris

[Chris du Plessis]

Hi there Sedona 01

Thinking about your orriginal Batery problem I think the noisy belts is because the altinator is working harder to try and recharge the batery. Replacing the battery would more than likely solve your noisy belt problem, rather than trying to titen the Alti belt, besides with a spring loaded tentioner there is not much you can do except maybe putting in a new belt. Even this will more than likely be noisy.

Hope this helps

Kind Regards
Chris

[sedona no 1]

Originally Posted by Chris du Plessis

Hi there Sedona 01

Thinking about your orriginal Batery problem I think the noisy belts is because the altinator is working harder to try and recharge the batery. Replacing the battery would more than likely solve your noisy belt problem, rather than trying to titen the Alti belt, besides with a spring loaded tentioner there is not much you can do except maybe putting in a new belt. Even this will more than likely be noisy.

Hope this helps

Kind Regards
Chris

Hi, thanks for replying. So from what you say, there isn't really anything i can do apart from either change the belt or change the battery.

Is there a way i can test the battery to make sure it's duff before i get a new one?

Thanks for anymore of your wisdom.

[sport]

walmart, auto zone or any other auto store should have a battery tester , they do it for free, and they also charge it, if it needs it.

[sedona no 1]

Right, i finally got round to having a look at the belts to find this squeek and was sure it was the self adjusting tensioner to be at fault as the belt was half off the tensioner. I put the spanner on it, turned the tensioner and repositioned the belt and as soon as i turned over the engine the belt went back to where it was. I took it to a garage who also thinks this tensioner is the culprit and i have it booked in on Friday for them to do the job.

My question is is this a difficult to do, (ie. time wise) as they charge £40 an hour and is the part expensive? Has anyone else had to have their's replaced?

Cheers guys for any help.

[sedona no 1]

Had it in the garage today and they confirmed it was the self adjusting tensioner that had seen better days. The only problem being that Kia doesn't keep this item on the shelf so it has had to be ordered in but won't be with the garage until Monday now cos of the weekend. This means it's booked in on Tuesday to have the part replaced. We have pre-paid for the work already - The tensioner was about £87 + VAT and they have charged us for 1 hours labour at £40 + VAT, so it has worked out to be not that bad cost wise. Will keep you updated to see if it solves the problem.

[sedona no 1]

ok had the tensioner replaced today the the noise has gone. It sounds like a normal diesel engine again. I do now have one question though. I had a look at the tensioner and the belt is not one the pulley fully. It's on better than before so i am now wondering if it should be like this?

Can someone have a look on their sedona and confirm to me whether theirs is the same aswell? If no-one knows what one i mean it's the pulley directly below the pulley with the star in the middle.

Hope somone can provide assisstance.

TIA