V6 Drive Belt

[eupho]

Usual problem of no manual for 2.8, so please can you help. I want to fit new ancillary drive belt, but cannot seem to get the tensioner to move. It is clearly doing its job as it fluctuates with the engine running. How do I take tension off in order to change the belt. The nut is clearly left hand thread so I dont know which way to turn it.....logic would say anticlockwise and the nut bolt has tightened but the belt has not slackened. I notice in Haynes that for other engines the bolt is turned clockwise, but this seems to simply loosen the bolt. Thanks in anticipation.

 

The vehicle used to run on gas, I have removed the tank from the rear will this be of use to anyone, if so what is it worth...I was surprised at the weight of it!

 

Thanks Tom.

[Steve P]

Hi Tom,

the tanks basically worthless. They don't cost that much new and fitting an old tank onto a car will probably leave you not being able to get anybody to certify the installation.

 

Cheers

Steve

[dipsomaniac]

to release the tension you need to insert a large m8 bolt into the empty hole in the tensioner. just tighten enough to release the tension.

[eupho]

Thanks for advice. However, I have just checked the tensioner and apart from the centre bolt there is no other hole in it. Looking from the air filter side(offside)the tensioner clearly is the top left of the 6 pulleys, I assume this as this is the one which fluctuates when the engine runs. If the centre bolt is nothing to do with the tensioning, 1) how tight should this centre bolt be and 2)how do I release the tension. Thanks in anticipation, the vehicle needs to be on the road at midnight!

Thanks. Tom

[Steve S.]

Hi Eupho,

Are you looking in the right place for this tensioner? You'll find it below two rubber 3/4 " pipes in the top pulley at 11 0'clock as viewed from the offside wing.As Dysomaniac says you need a M8 threaded bolt to release the tension...screw in to release. When new belt is fitted just unscrew bolt and remove. Tension is taken up automatically.

Steve S.

[eupho]

Thanks for help fellows! Yes, I wrongly assumed that the tension was adjusted by moving the centre bolt on the tension pulley, as it is shown in Haynes for the 2.0 and 2.3. Have just completed the job with M8 bolt as advised, a piece of cake. Thank you again......and to think that Fords quoted me

[CHAPERS2009]

DOES ANY BODY KNOW HOW I CHANGE THE DRIVE BELT TENSIONER ON A GALAXY 2.3 1999 I,M TOTALLY CONFUSED ANY HELP WILL BE GREAT