Corsa C drive belt replacement

[fastesthamster]

Hi,

I replaced the drive belt on my model C corsa (GSi), didn't have the Haynes manual with me (only have the model B manual). So, I pulled the tensioner, slipped the old belt off, and check the belts, looked mostly the same size.

Re-tensioned the tensioner, and slipped the new belt on. Easy enough. But, it's now squealing under load. Just aircon, fine, just lights, fine. But both lights and aircon, squeals.

Anyone replaced the drive belt? Any tips? Was I maybe given a belt that's slightly too big?

The model B manual says that engine brackets need to be loosened! Seems extreme.

 

[upup]

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[fastesthamster]

pm me your email adress.

done

 

[Gnome]

You did it wrong. If it's too tight you wear out the air conditioner, alternator and tensioner bearings. If it's too loose you have the squealing.

You're supposed to use the tensioner + torque wrench to torque it to the correct setting.

And on a Corsa B that belt cannot be replaced without loosening the engine mounting, IE. it goes around and through the engine mounting, hence the reason they say that, Corsa C doesn't have that problem.

 

[fastesthamster]

You did it wrong. If it's too tight you wear out the air conditioner, alternator and tensioner bearings. If it's too loose you have the squealing.

You're supposed to use the tensioner + torque wrench to torque it to the correct setting.

I normally leave drive belts a little loose so they don't wear out the alternator, this is just a little too loose!

Thanks for the tip, I think I'll get the workshop manual for the model C.

And on a Corsa B that belt cannot be replaced without loosening the engine mounting, IE. it goes around and through the engine mounting, hence the reason they say that, Corsa C doesn't have that problem.

What a mess! Makes a routine service extremely difficult.

 

[Gnome]

Thanks for the tip, I think I'll get the workshop manual for the model C.

You can get it off emule or news servers sometimes. It's pretty much the same engine as the Corsa B (locally at least). Corsa B & C locally uses a completely different engine than those sold in Europe (SOHC vs DOHC, makes less power & torque, higher emissions, etc.)

What a mess! Makes a routine service extremely difficult.

Yeah, I only have 2 gripes with the Corsa B engine, 1 the thermostat sits behind the cam belt cover and 2 the auxiliary drive belt snakes around the front engine mounting. Still it's much tighter fit than a Corsa C which is why it works that way. Also the auxiliary drive belt usually lasts longer than the cam belt so I just replace both at the same time so the effort is much less. The Corsa with alternator only has a different belt tho (15 000km change interval and thin, nothing like the thick black belt used on A/C & P/S models) which is easier to replace than it is taking a piss.

 

[fastesthamster]

You can get it off emule or news servers sometimes. It's pretty much the same engine as the Corsa B (locally at least). Corsa B & C locally uses a completely different engine than those sold in Europe (SOHC vs DOHC, makes less power & torque, higher emissions, etc.)


Yeah, I only have 2 gripes with the Corsa B engine, 1 the thermostat sits behind the cam belt cover and 2 the auxiliary drive belt snakes around the front engine mounting. Still it's much tighter fit than a Corsa C which is why it works that way. Also the auxiliary drive belt usually lasts longer than the cam belt so I just replace both at the same time so the effort is much less. The Corsa with alternator only has a different belt tho (15 000km change interval and thin, nothing like the thick black belt used on A/C & P/S models) which is easier to replace than it is taking a piss.

I found the model B thin belt rather finicky, the alternator mounting bolts are quite close to the car, and the range of movement for the spanner is rather small. Could just be me though