M102 loose fanbelt

5 replies [Last post]
Mon, 29/05/2023 - 18:53
Jdring
Jdring's picture
Offline
Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: South of Oxford, UK. 87' 230GE SWB Manual, 89' 230GE SWB Auto, 2012 G350Bluetec LWB
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Hi. 230GE engine Not the fan belt, but the power steering belt... How to tighten it? The fan belt is easy, just loosen the lock bolt and lever the alternator until the fan belt is the correct tightness with about half an inch of play. But the belt behind that seems to have no such adjustment. I'm getting slight belt squeal on starting.
Forum Gallery: 
Top
Mon, 29/05/2023 - 19:15
#1
Jdring
Jdring's picture
Offline
Joined: 12.04.2004
Location: South of Oxford, UK. 87' 230GE SWB Manual, 89' 230GE SWB Auto, 2012 G350Bluetec LWB
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: M102 loose fanbelt
I'm non the wiser from the owners manual.
Top
Mon, 29/05/2023 - 20:37
#2
Nick123
Nick123's picture
Offline
Joined: 12.01.2004
Location: Argyll, Scotland
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: M102 loose fanbelt
When I worked for a well known car-hire company (We Try Harder) in the seventies the way to cure a squeaky belt was to squirt oil at it. Oops!!! As an aside, all the cars were disposed of at 40k kilometres. The exceptions were the Merc 280s who were sent on their way at 80k kilometres. If you're ever thinking of buying a new car, talk to a car-hire employee first. They'll know what can take the punishment and survive.
Top
Mon, 29/05/2023 - 21:54
#3
markhowes
markhowes's picture
Offline
Joined: 15.01.2014
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: M102 loose fanbelt

I was going to say that when I had a squeeking belt I took it into my service garage and they squirted WD40 on it but I thought, no  surely that can't be right so I'd better not post - and then I see Nick's response - so maybe I'm not mis-remembering?? But if they did do that, why didn't the belt just keep slipping?

Top
Tue, 30/05/2023 - 04:13
#4
GWOA Admin
GWOA Admin's picture
Offline
Joined: 11.09.2010
Location: Oxford
GWOA Groups: Committee, Members
Re: M102 loose fanbelt
markhowes wrote:

.....why didn't the belt just keep slipping?

I am going to assume the wd40 softens the shiny polished belt surface and makes it grabby again. But I also bet that no belt manufacturer recommends it! In the end, the belt is still a little loose.
Top
Tue, 30/05/2023 - 07:53
#5
Nick123
Nick123's picture
Offline
Joined: 12.01.2004
Location: Argyll, Scotland
GWOA Groups: Members
Re: M102 loose fanbelt
Mark and John, you are both right! Oil, WD40 or similar stops the squeal but does nothing else save allow the belt to slip more easily. Back in the day hire cars were used and often abused. I'm sure that things are different now and hire cars will be cared for and gently cossetted.
Top