WTF? Alternator Belt SNAFU
 

Howdy Guys......I just bought a "91 B2200 4cy 5psd and the alternator belt was looser than any belt I have ever seen on nay car or truck in my life....anyway I tightened it and now it squeak's, I imagine it is glazed but it looks ok and is not hard but I want to replace it just t be safe.


I could not believe the BS you have to do to R & R a alt belt!!! I ordered a manual but it's not here yet. I may be wrong but it looks like you have to almost take off the power steering unit to get the alt belt off. The tension adjuster on the PS looks like it will not adjust unless I remove the bracket that holds the PS unit to motor.


Is it really this much of a Bitch just to R&R a alt belt? If so then the guy who designed this set up must have been smoking something very powerful....LOL


I anyone is able to explain this apparent SNAFU to me I would surely appreciate it greatly. It has to be Me because no one in their right mind wold make it so difficult to change a Alt Belt


Thanks Guys
Patrick
Skagit County, Wa

I hope this helps you out:
http://www.justanswer.com/car/1j3gf-...elt-b2200.html

Thank You Ever So Much!


Patrick

That link is not for a carbureted B2200, which has the power steering pump on the driver side of the engine.

Yes, with a a carbureted B2200 you must loosen and remove the power steering belt to do this, but that's pretty easy. Use a 22mm wrench to loosen the PS idler nut, then a socket/extension/rachet to loosen the idler so the belt can then be pulled off around the fan blade (disconnect battery first). Then loosen the alternator mount bolts, pry the alternator closer to the engine center, pull off that belt. Then reverse to install; yes, you'll need to pry the alternator out to tighten the belt as you tighten the locking bolt.

Still: a half-hour job. Keep your old belt as a spare for emergencies; you can run fine without a PS or AC belt.

Cusser: I am glad you are here. You sure know your trucks!

I was an air-cooled VW in the early 1970s, since then I've just learned to work on my own vehicles. I'm decent in the stuff like alternators, starters, electrical, pretty good in vehicle AC though, a must in Arizona. I did rebuild my 1988 B2200 in late 2011 at 183K miles because it smoked too much even though it ran well with 165 psi compression all around; I did that without removing the engine, did new pistons, new rings, new connecting rod bearings, and had the head re-done, cost about $700 out of pocket.
http://www.mazdabscene.com/forums/te...ld-t25821.html

I have two 4-cylinder Frontiers (98 and 2004) which are nice vehicles, and those have some of the better belt-adjustment/R&R engineering I have seen.

I didn't write earlier that about 2005 my alternator belt broke (Gates, only a few months old) taking a daughter to a softball tournament, so pulled off the freeway. Since we were in a hurry and I had a used alternator belt with me, I just cut the power steering belt and changed to the used alternator belt. A week later I installed a new alternator belt, and also the PS belt. I didn't think it drove much different without the power steering working though.

Wow, that was one cool project. I would be a bit scared undertaking an engine overhaul. I have done it with a motorcycle but I made a mistake and it lasted only 150 miles. The learning curve can be pretty steep!