2.3 Alternator Pulley

[Guest Silver]

Hello all,

 

I've got an Intermittent (only after driving in rain, and leaving to get cold) screeching sound coming from the alternator pulley area of my 2001 2.3 Zetec, I've searched and found this useful post http://www.fordgalaxy.org.uk/ford/index.ph...amp;#entry95499 in the FAQ's, but having contacted the originator by PM, it's quite possible this fix/check of the Alternator Fan blade rotation is only applicable to the TDi engine.

 

Has anyone with the 2.3 Gal carried out the check in the link above? If so, does the alternator pulley in this car have a one way clutch as per the diesel engine? i.e do the fans rotate freely one direction and not the other?

 

Mine is driving the belt both directions, but before I strip it down, I want to know if this is a fault or not.

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Oh - and I'll get the doughnuts in because this is my first 'real' post!

[Andrew T]

Do a search on “Auxiliary Drive Belt Tensioner” as at high mileages the 2.3 can exhibit the problems you describe. Replacement is Edited March 8, 2007 by Andrew T

[Guest Silver]

Do a search on

[Andrew T]

Thanks for the reply. Mine also makes a 'twittering noise' !! It's most odd so I didn't want to mention it at first, in case you all thought i was a loony!

 

You own a Galaxy, so we can take that as read!

 

As far as getting the Garage to acknowledge it goes, I think you'll have a problem. Ours has been doing this when it's wet for the last 20K without getting noticably worse. I don't recall anyone suffering a tensioner failure, I think people change them when they can't stand the noise any longer.

[SeanV]

Hi there

 

How did you get on with this? I've got a 2001 2.3 Zetec and my belt has snapped.. it was making the twittering noise beforehand for about a month. I'm quite a competent mechanic, but i can't see how to get to the lefthand side of the engine to replace the belt and tensioners! There's not even enough room to get my hand down there. I've heard that you need to go in via the wheel arch, but this looks unlikely as it only reveals the bottom of the engine...

 

Any help on how to get to the tensioners and replace the belt would be very much appreciated.

 

Sean

[Stevoo]

You will need a new tensioner, about 90.00 from ford. for temp fix dash some tulcum powder over the belt while its spinning and that will shut it up for a few days.

[andy22]

Sean,

What you need to do is put the car on axil stands or ramps and then remove the bottom engine cover (4 bolts and 2 nuts). You can then get to the belt tensioner bolt. Getting the belt over the alternator can be a bit of a git the first time but it gets easier with practise.

 

Andy.