Aux Belt snapped

[pasalima]

Hi Guys,

I started my xantia tonight and when the dash lights stayed on, I thought I had a serious fluid leak.
But I found the remains of a belt under the car (aux/serpentine?)

I'm curious to know if this is a task I could perform myself, en situ, so to speak? (ie. Can it be replaced from above, or does the wheel/arch need to be removed?) Otherwise I'm looking at a tow and repair bill.

I appreciate any advice.
And apologies if this has been answered before, but I'd no joy on the search facility

Cheers

Car: 98 2.0 Xantia HDI exclusive

[RichardW]

It might be possible to do it from the top if you've got slim hands, but it's much easier to get it round the bottom with the wheel arch liner removed. It's not so difficult to get out. I would want to be having a look at the pulley in any case, as this is a known failure point, and may have led to the belt failing.

[pasalima]

Thanks Richard,
I see what you mean about slim hands - it looks like I'll be attacking it from the wheel arch.
When you say the pulley's a known failure point, how does one discern if it needs replacing?

Many thanks,
Paul

[Richard_C]

Aeons ago on my Synergie a new-ish aux belt snapped (OK, XUD not HDi so different) but it only snapped because the AC compressor had seized. If your belt looks OK superficially but snapped suddenly, maybe suspect something else wrong?

[RichardW]

The pulley is a rubber bonded type, and it tends to delaminate. First sign is that there is usually rusty dust over the pulley and surrounding area, when bad you may see a shiny line around the inner edge of the outer ring. Usually by that stage they are noisy, though!

[pasalima]

Thanks RichardW & Richard c,
Its sounds like the job may not be so straightforward after all. Well, I'll give it a go anyway and hopefully it's just the belt that needs replacing! At 210,000 miles parts will start failing.

Cheers,
Paul