noisy flapping fan belt

[marrittm]

Hello, i have xsara picasso hdi 2L and my fan belt is noisy and flaps, i have replaced all of the following;
crankshaft pully+idle guide pully+tensioner pully+and belt. the last part replace was the idle guide pully and car was very quite and smooth after fitted for around a day, but then after a couple of short drives the belt started flapping again, if i was to put the handle end of a screwdriver on the outerside of belt the flapping would stop and noise go away. the tension of the belt is ok all i can say is that the problem is between the alternator a/c compressor and crankshaft pully but to honest soon as belt hits the c/shaft pully it returns to normal smooth running. i have felt the the alternator pully and it seems very smooth and has no play, also same for a/c pully. has anyone had this problem or does anyone know what it could be.

thank you

[citroenxm]

theres in theroy two tensioners... thers the upper spring tensioner which is meant to hold the tension but only after the lower eccentric tensioner has been set.... remove the inner arch liner that protects the engine and have a look just near the crank pully.. if the eccentric is set the square hole it it should be round pointing in the area of the crank pully.. if the square hole isnt its not set tight enough and needs rotating round more..

im not sure if the picasso instalation needs the engine lowering or not. but use a small ratchet and extension in the square hole and release the eccentric with an 8mm allen... rotate the eccentric further.. if the spring loaded tensioner ok you should feel it pulling against it.. tighten the 8mm back up.

its flapping simply because the tension is still not tight enough when running even if it feels tight enough when stopped..

[marrittm]

Hello thank you for reply, I have been to a Citroen specialist this morning and after checking everything for me and passing everything he advised me to go for a smaller sized fanbelt at present I have a 1740 on but was advised to go for a 1730. I have put new belt on and at least for now the flapping seems to have gone completly sound normal again, I have noticed that the spring loaded tensioner is vibrating as before but was told this is normal, he did say that if after a while problem came back then it's more than likely issue with tensioner but it's all good at moment, fingers crossed it stays that way lol.

[marrittm]

Just a update, I have tested car today but still getting exesive tensioner vibration and noise, flapping has gone though, I'm getting a bit concerned now as I don't want any damage to occur, should I put 1740 belt back on or stick with 1730, also I would like to check alternator pulpy for my self any ideas how to do this I know it spins freely both directions but is there more to it than that

[CitroJim]

Normally, if there's a problem with the alternator or a/c compressor bearings you'll know as they'll be noisy. If you can't feel any play in either than it's an odd one...

Is the belt running true and does the flapping change markedly with the a/c compressor engaged?

The HDi tensioning arrangement is normally very robust and my first thought is that the spring (automatic) tensioner may have a weak spring. Did you replace it with a new genuine item or a pattern part?

[marrittm]

Hi sorry for late reply, the tensioner was replaced approx 12 month ago and it was a patient part now genuine like you mentioned, and to be honest the only noise now is coming from tensioner, I don't mind getting a new tensioner if I know it will fix problem, also if I do get new tensioner what belt would you advise to put back on the 1740 or the the 1730. Thank you

[CitroJim]

also if I do get new tensioner what belt would you advise to put back on the 1740 or the the 1730. Thank you

The recommended size. You can tell the size is right by the eccentric tensioner. As you adjust the eccentric tensioner it will put load on the automatic tensioner. The eccentric needs to be adjusted until the alignment marks on the automatic tensioner line up. At this point the automatic tensioner is then exerting the correct tension on the belt.

[marrittm]

Oh right where about are the marks on the tensioner as I have looked but can't see anything.
Thankyou

[CitroJim]

Oh right where about are the marks on the tensioner as I have looked but can't see anything.
Thankyou

There should be two cast lines....

[marrittm]

Ok just a quick reply, not had time to check marks yet due to weather but just started car and guess what belt flapping and tensioner vibrating and got a slight squeak noise from somewhere although doesn't sound from belt, I can ony presume at this point that the tensioner is faulty as even to shorter belt now flaps, the only other parts not to have been replaced are alternator pully and compressor but as for compressor the flapping does not get any worse when aircon is on or off.

[Lighty]

On the hdi engine, there are two possibilities, in that you should have a "floating" crank pulley, OR a free wheeling alternator pulley. Does your car have one or the other. The belt will flap badly if one of these has been changed with the wrong type

[marrittm]

Hi, when you say floating crank pully are you referring to the fan belt pully, and how do I know if I have freewheel alternator pully I have spun the alternator pully by hand and it's turns smoothly both ways, it did have a crankshaft fanbelt pully about 8 months ago but the problem I have now is about a month old. Not sure where to go from here now, the flapping today disappeard after 5 minutes of driving still had noise and vibration from tensioner though

[marrittm]

just another question when i turn on the Air Con the belt flaps even more, the aircon works perfectly but thought i had better mention it.