Did you adjust the alternator all the way down?

 

yes the alternator and the air pump are ajusted all the way down. the alternator is sitting on metal

 

i just hope that the inch longer even though i can get it tight, wont cause problems hitting under the metal area next to the air pump that area is tight as hell.

 

the longer belt worked but not much more adjustment left for tightening left. I may have to pull the alternator adjustment bracket off and make more adjustment room. anyways it’s just a fix for mine but if you have the same problem you may have to do this also.

 

Try the original/first belt again. Make sure the airpump and alternator are adjusted all the way down. Put it on the alternator, main pulley and airpump first. Make sure it's seated in the ribs properly on all three pulleys. THEN push it down and slide it under the Waterpump pulley. It may take a little effort, but should go. If not, one or both of the pulleys are not adjusted down all the way, or you got the wrong belt. (you could always compare it to the one you removed) Don't go to a longer belt.

wb123....You can buy these belts at the corner autoparts store. Do one at a time. The airpump adjustment is hard to see, directly underneath. IIRC you need a 10mm and 12mm socket with an extension, and a 10mm open end wrench. The only trick is NOT overtightening the belts. You should be able to deflect a 1/2 to 3/4 inch or so on the belt when it's stretched between pulleys. Err on the side of too loose and tighten until it doesn't squeak on cold start up.

 

You guys, seriously. And please no offense to the person who started this thread. But this guy called one of his belts on his car a timing belt. Now you are telling him to replace his belts! I'm sorry but these cars are great, but not to be worked on by novices! If you over tighten your water pump belt, you will kill your water pump fast. Technically there are special tools to set the belts tension. If you can afford one of these cars you can DEFINITELY afford to support one of your local shops and pay them $40 in labor to install your belts correctly. Common guys.

--Hank
Mechanic in Seattle

 

to sgtblue in my case the belt that came off was a 5050530 and that is the correct belt but the the 5050530would not go on when i tried to replace it because all of the adjustment on the air pump and alternator were taken up. my only choice was a longer belt or take off the air pump off and remount because for some reason it was mounted wrong or go with a longer belt. it works and have it tightend enough but if it gets any looser over time i will have no more adjustment for tightening the belt.

 

It's the wrong belt, it will likely stretch with time and slip, which can have implications besides an annoying screeching sound. If my instructions on how to install it didn't work, you need to investigate further....or take hisitko's advice and have a professional do it.

 

i know its the wrong belt but the length is the only dif so if u can tighten it enough then it does not really matter. if it gets looser and needs to be tightend then i will have to take off the air pump and remount it. thats the only way to fix my prob. but in everyone else's case the numbers i gave you all are the correct belts.