Fan Belt

[Lisa Jayne]

Hi, My Emy has developed a nasty squeal on starting , is it a fairly simple job to inspect, tighten or replace the fan belt and does anyone have any pics so that my hubby has some idea where to look! He is mechanically minded but never worked on a mid engine before, Now if it was a John Deere!!
She has air conditioning fitted if that makes a difference. Any advice would be most welcome,

[adrianclifford]

A noise such as you describe could indeed be a slack alternator belt. To adjust you need to jack up the O/S/R, support and secure the car and remove the wheel. Remove the 2 scrivets and Torx screw securing the closing panel, remove the panel and first check the tension on the belt and the condition of the belt, if it looks like it needs replacing then do so of course. For adjustment, feel will tell you but you should get between 9-10mm deflection on a correctly adjusted belt. To tighten a slack belt, loosen the nut securing the drive belt tensioner pulley, increase the tension by turning the adjusting bolt clockwise, when you have the required tension tighten the lock nut replace the closing panel and refit and tighten the wheel.

Hope it goes as easy as that

Adrian

[dwkmgf]

If after tightening the belt still squeels - it might need lubicating. Water lubricates rubber, but a trick I picked up in the Navy is to poor lemonade onto the belt. I have done it on other cars but not the F. Not a long term solution, so if still squeeling you might need a replacement belt.

[mga mark]

If after tightening the belt still squeels - it might need lubicating. Water lubricates rubber, but a trick I picked up in the Navy is to poor lemonade onto the belt. I have done it on other cars but not the F. Not a long term solution, so if still squeeling you might need a replacement belt.

Talcum powder works a treat too at reducing squealing noises.

MGA Mark

[Geoff.F]

If you are going to remove the wheel and closing panel to adjust it, then you may as well replace it whilst you are in there.
The AC Belt has a much shorter life than the normal. NB. It is also a different longer belt.
Geoff F.

[Lisa Jayne]

Thanks for all your help, I Have just ordered a new fan belt, as you say, might as well replace it, then I know all is ok.
At least now I can point hubby in the right direction, then do a runner abit quick so as not to hear all the swearing and cursing!!!!

[Rick]

Hi,

Just a quick trick that I have learnt, if you cannot undo the slide bolt, on the adjuster in order to loosen the belt. Undo the bolt that secures the adjuster arm...... onto the block if i remember correctly..... take the old belt off, cut it if nec, then you can swing the alternator back all the way....

Take off the side vent grille, where the engine bay cooling fan is...(two screws) and then you can get a socket wrench and extension bar through the fan straight onto the nut!!!! Hey presto its off!!! (mine took several hours to get off before someone showed me this!!1 Simple when you know how!!!

Once loosened its easy to do back up in place when tightening the belt!!!

Rick

[Lisa Jayne]

Thanks Guys for all your help, changing the fan belt went like a dream this morning, until I started her up to check all was ok, as I was putting the wheel brace away, I noticed that she was leaking coolant around the bleed screw on the radiator, went to tighten it to find that it had sheared off!!

So now we have a nice new fan belt, coolant all over garage floor, on a saturday afternoon where there is no where open to get a new bleed screw Oh well at least it didn't happen whilst out on the road, have to make do with the Landcruiser for a few days

[Rick]

That is quite common, mine has gone through a couple

If you get stuck trying to find one and the washer, let me know as my local MGR normally has some in stock!!!

Rick

[jonaf]

As long as it is just the threads on the plug and not in the radiator that are stripped it's no problem. A spark plug (with 1.25x12mm threads, I think) fits.

[Lisa Jayne]

Thanks Rick for you offer I have ordered one from Sussex Classic Car Parts who I got my fan belt from, it should arrive tommorrow but perhaps I should have bought a box full if it is prone to it!!

[Geoff.F]

A Plug, a Header Tank Cap and an Alternator Belt in the flyaway kit.
Geoff F.

[Rick]

Geoff,

Very true!!!
I did try to find a metal replacement after the third plastic one leaked and then me overtightening it snapped the top off, but never tried the above!!!

Rick

[Lisa Jayne]

I saw a picture of a nice stainless steel one fitted, I think it may have been on the mg-rover.org, not sure where they got it from, but looks alot more substantial than that stupid plastic thing!

[Rick]

Lisa,

If you could find out where it was from could you let me know on this thread, so i can do mine!!!!

Rick

[Lisa Jayne]

I have just nipped over to the other side and had another look, Mike Satur, £14 ish, I think there may some on ebay as that was mentioned also.

[Rick]

Excellent thanks!!!

[Geoff.F]

Plastic plugs have been common on car radiators for more than 40 years.
If you cross thread the plastic plug when fitting it, then you buy a new plug. With a steel plug, then you buy a new radiator. In addition, if the plug/radiator corrode, then the boss in the radiator will come out with the plug attached. SS may not corrode, but the aluminium or brass will.
The rubber seal, on a plastic or steel plug, will deteriorate. Never try to over tighten a leaking joint, always remake it.
Stay plastic.
Geoff F.

[Broon]

I have a how to on my website if anyone is inetrested

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/~sur188/MGF/Alternator/

[Geoff.F]

I have a how to on my website if anyone is inetrested

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/~sur188/MGF/Alternator/

But Lisa has AC which has a different set up. As Adrian says, simply release the tensioner wheel and adjust the jacking screw. The important detail is to have the correct tension. viz. Deflection of the belt with a 10kg load. Too many DIYers assume the tighter, the better causing alternator bearing failure ( or very expensive compressor bearing failure with AC).
Geoff. F