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| Crumbly fan belt https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=77287 |
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| Author: | keastmini [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Crumbly fan belt |
So I've just spotted that my fan belt is a crumbling mess. Probably and obvious question but even with a new battery recently I haven't had great battery life, is it possible/likely that the cruddy fan belt has led to sloppy charging from the alternator? I'm hopping so as there's nothing in the way of accessories leeching power, but I have found some electrical tape bodgery recently  it'd be nice if it was something as simple as a dead belt!
Cheers Nick |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 10:54 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Yeah bad fan belts will slip on the alternator well before they even get to crumbly. Then poor charging. Get a new one, they are cheap. I use the QH ones from Karcraft, but Bosch are OK too. |
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| Author: | keastmini [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:02 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Cheers Doc, I'd already added it to my list for the next Karcraft visit. Fingers crossed that there are no other hidden bodges affecting the battery life. |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:14 am ] |
| Post subject: | |
Check the alternator pulley too, the sheet metal ones eventually wear to a `U' shape. Then even a new belt won't grip properly. I replaced mine a while back with a cast iron one I got from the local auto leccy. 
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| Author: | mushroom [ Sun Jun 24, 2012 11:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
replace the belt (if it crumbling it is well overdue for replacement) then check the charge rate of the alternator, it should be around 13.8, u can check it at the battery or the alternator, if its fine at the battery then it should be ok but if its low at the battery check it from the alternator as it could be a dodgy cable. For those who dont know how to check voltage put a multimeter across the terminals to check voltage, and for the alternator put the + probe on the output cable and the - probe on an earth |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Mon Jun 25, 2012 4:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Measured V with engine doing 2000rpm or more should be 13.8-14.3V. Lower than 13.8 you have a problem- mine was a bad crimp on the thick brown wire at the alternator. Crimped + soldered a new one on, now all good.
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| Author: | keastmini [ Tue Aug 21, 2012 1:57 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Well I put a new belt in last week(along with hoses, thermostat and housing) but only took it for a decent drive last night. The whirr of the alternator fan was a bit surprising at first! Thanks for the help/pointers, its really appreciated when you're trying to get the hang of owning a mini 
Cheers Nick |
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| Author: | drmini in aust [ Tue Aug 21, 2012 2:09 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
That noise isn't the alternator fan, it is just the alternator turning mechanical energy into electrons- 3 ph AC, then 14V+ DC. |
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| Author: | keastmini [ Tue Aug 21, 2012 3:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
That makes sense! |
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| Author: | John Smidt [ Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:41 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Make sure You do not put to much tension on fan belt It make cause some noise from the Alt bearings |
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| Author: | 1071 S [ Tue Aug 21, 2012 6:39 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
Mein Gott, who has a Mini so quiet you can hear the alternator turning???
Cheers, Ian |
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| Author: | John Smidt [ Tue Aug 21, 2012 8:00 pm ] |
| Post subject: | |
1071 S wrote: Mein Gott, who has a Mini so quiet you can hear the alternator turning???
Cheers, Ian You Will hear it if the bearings are stuffed
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