Xantia aux belt replacement is bamboozling me?

[fotobright]

Hi,

The auxilliery belt on my 98 xantia 1.9td snapped! I'm just in the process of checking the pulleys, which seem ok as far as I can see but i'm stil checking incase i've missed something there.

After being bamboozled by the Haynes manual I realised that it my car's aux belt didnt match the refit tension instructions. Mine involved releasing the manual tensioner roller using a hex key and square drive to move it round, however when it came to fit it the belt it still didn't have enough slack?

Either i'm missing another release point or the belt is too short. or both. The belt is about 1710mm as I measured it butsee that a 1733mm belt is supplied also for the 98 Xantia.

Any help would be brilliant

[Xaccers]

In the Haynes book of lies, use the 2.1TD setup, the 1.9TD they cover is for the very early manual tensioner.
So you have the eccentric tensioner that you've slackened with a hex key (8mm I believe).
You also have the auto tensioner further up. This is driven by a spring behind the hydraulic pump.
If you move the ECU box out the way and look to the top of the auto tensioner, you should see (recessed) a square 3/8th hole.
I use a floppy headed foot long breaker bar in the hole to rotate the tensioner clockwise (facing that end of the engine). It should rotate easily against the spring. If it is tight then the needle rollers have died and the tensioner needs replacing. It is held onto the spring with a 6mm hex bolt, you want to chop about an inch off the long end of a 6mm allen key and get a 6mm ratchet spanner. Access to the hex bolt is via a hole in the hydraulic pump mount and it's a PITA.
The bush on the lower end of the spring collapses and must be replaced as otherwise the tensioner will fail prematurely and you have to do the job all over again.

[fotobright]

Excellent information. Thanks Xac.

[Lighty]

You best hope it's not (-expletive removed-), replacement is tricky and pricey

[fotobright]

Hi,
replacing what is tricky and pricey?

[Xaccers]

Hi,
replacing what is tricky and pricey?

The auto tensioner and spring.

[fotobright]

May the gods be with me on my quest!

[Xaccers]

Make sure you arm yourself with the chalice of fresh tea, and the shield of digestiveness
Oh and read up on swear words so you're really prepared!

[fotobright]

Belt now on. thanks everyone!

Now onto the next issue...