Really lame question about water pump belt tightening....
 

Hey this is probably the lamest question here but I've been trying to get the damn water pump belt tight and I haven't found out a good procedure for doing so. I assume you have to take the belt off the pulley before changing the water pump adjustment bolt, right? Then how do you get the belt back on the pulley? I can't seem to get it to stretch enough to pop on, but if I leave the water pump where it is at right now, the belt is too loose.

Thanks for the help! :)

now wait...the waterpump belt drives something else too...what else does that belt go around?

The Air Pump too (that's the actual adjustment bracket)...

The water pump belts either go around the air pump or the alternator, which both swivel. You put the belt around the crank pulley, the alternator, and the water pump, and you pry on the alternator for tension. Then you do the same with the airpump. Done.

Brandon

What do you pry on the airpump with, and where? I'm afraid to break the bolt (it was broken already when I bought the car, and I just paid $1.80 for a new one).

I like to use the tire iron, since I think it was likely designed for it. The base has a curved area that I stick under the alterator on the passenger side. Make sure that you pry on the hard casing of the alternator.

Brandon

don't overtighten the belt though, its easy to do... hehe.. I did, almost killed my alternator in the process... :)

That's why I like to use the tire iron - it's short, and doesn't give much leverage. I've found that if I tighten it up as much as I can, I loosen up a bit while I'm concentrating on tightening the outside mounting bolt. That way, I tend to end up with just enough pressure. :)

How much is "just enough"? When you press on the longest section of belt between pullies with about 10 lbs of pressure, the belt should bend in about an inch. It's "taut" but not "tight".

Brandon

(Yesh. Toit loik a toigah. Yesh.)

The water pump, alternator, clutched fan are all off one belt. Loosen the alternator to tighten that belt. The others are for air pump, P/S and A/C if you have them. I a gree with the tire iron to tighten that belt, but yes, be very carful not to over do it.

Good advice... I kinda used a 2 foot pry bar.. :D