Hi folks, a quick question.

Snapped my cooling fan belt, still drove 8 kms home (stupid I know!!!), hopefully the engines not seized. However, was wondering what the easiest way was to install a new cooling fan belt?

Thanks Mez

The top RH corner of the radiator shroud has a gap to poke the belt through.
Provided it fits between the crank pulley and engine mount bracket, loosen the alternator, fit belt and tighten.

If it won't fit through there, you need to jack under the gearbox that side with the 2 horizontal bolts loosened, to give room.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Okay thanks a lot for this. I'll get the belt after the new year and give it a go. Otherwise it will be a long tow to narellan to glenn at Mini King[CRYING FACE].

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It always helps to put your location in , there may be somebody that is close by that could help you .

Here's a pic of what Dr Mini was talking about ;

Thanks a lot goodie explains that, will have a cracking at it. Am at rockdale in sydney...and there never seems to be any garage nearby willing to work on minis. Every inquiry is met with groans....they know little of the joy!!!

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Hi guys all done. Thanks for the help. It helped that my fan was plastics blades. And the trick was to wrap it around one blade at a time. Tried for 20 mins to do the whole fan in one go. [FACE WITH TEARS OF JOY] lessons learnt thanks again.

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Mez , you have now learnt one of the little secrets to working on these little cars , glad you got it sorted .

I think a few might think they're hard to work on. I'd rather do six fan belts on minis than one set of spark plugs on a Mazda mpv.

Hahaha agreed. But now have a high pitched squeal/growl on acceleration. Goes away on holding the revs. Any ideas what the problem maybe? Seemed to be the same noise just before the older belt snapped.

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It may be that the belt needs a little more tightening. Check the manual for how to check the tension.

I use a jack handle between the block and the alternator to gently adjust the tension while I tighten up the adjustment.

Also, did the alternator and pump spin freely when you had it apart?

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Probably the alternator pulley is worn U shaped. The sheet steel ones wear more than the cast iron ones did. Then belt slips. Cure is a new pulley or complete alternator.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks guys.

The alternator and the water pump spun freely when it was apart. The alternator is new too, like 1 month old or so.

What it was that the belt was installed and the motor run, after 15 mins or so, the belt had actually stretched a little bit. So readjusted the alternator, and seems to be okay for the moment. Two lessons, when going on long trips, keep a spare belt in the car, and how to install a belt. Thanks again.

Third lesson is to do what those who rallied Minis used to do and wire a new fan belt to the engine behind the water pump, crank pulley and alternator. It's then a simple matter to cut the wires, loosen the alternator bracket and slip the fan belt into place. Takes less than five minutes to get going again.

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ex-NSW Police 1970 MK II Cooper S
VMCI #43

"Wire a new fan belt to the engine behind the water pump, crank pulley and alternator. It's then a simple matter to cut the wires, loosen the alternator bracket and slip the fan belt into place."

Now am extremely curious........Sounds really good, would you have a picture showing the layout and the type of belt being used?

That's an ingenious idea Doug , very smart thinking .

Mvariava , all you need to do is keep a record of when you put the belt on your car , i'm pretty sure you will get quite a few years running with it from new , but in saying that , every now and then inspect the belt for any looseness or cracking , same goes for your radiator hoses , if you know how old they are you should get at least 5yrs + running with them , ( i'm being conservative ) .

Another hose not to forget is the bypass hose at the back of the engine , goes from the water pump to the bottom side of the head , the ones that they sell nowdays are rubbish , most people replace these with a piece of heater hose .

I've always advocated to other mini owners to make sure that your bottom radiator hose and bypass hose are in good cond before you go on longer runs cause sure as sh!t it'll be one of these hoses that let you down , and they are not an easy job to do on the side of the road .