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[amba]

hi guys..just need my mind putting at rest..1998 2.5 elite..have just done a complete drain and refill(several times)of coolant system and added the 4.5 litres of anti-freeze..whilst was running car up to temperature noticed that one of the pullies seemed to have a considerable ammount of movement sideways when reved up engine...the pulley as looking from the front is the top left hand side..think it is water pump ??when engine is snatch reved it seems to move to the side and the silver unit at the back of it appears to allow it to move..assume this is ok as if was solid would break the belt....it also seems to have a slight rattle as well and my mind is worrying that something is going to go....could anyone just reassure me that it apears ok

[Admin]

It is not the water pump...

That is your auxilliary belt tensioner and has to have a degree of movement.
However I would be checking the others are on ok.

By the way the water pump is the one in the centre.  PAS pump is top right and air con compressor bottom right.

[JamesV6CDX]

hi guys..just need my mind putting at rest..1998 2.5 elite..have just done a complete drain and refill(several times)of coolant system and added the 4.5 litres of anti-freeze..whilst was running car up to temperature noticed that one of the pullies seemed to have a considerable ammount of movement sideways when reved up engine...the pulley as looking from the front is the top left hand side..think it is water pump ??when engine is snatch reved it seems to move to the side and the silver unit at the back of it appears to allow it to move..assume this is ok as if was solid would break the belt....it also seems to have a slight rattle as well and my mind is worrying that something is going to go....could anyone just reassure me that it apears ok

The water pump is the big black pulley in the centre of the Aux belt arrangement, held on by three 10mm bolts on the V6.

The one you refer to, is probably the aux belt tensioner/pulley, held on by one 15mm nut.

A little bit of movement is normal, as long as the belt itself isn't jumping around

What you could do, is pop the belt off, and just turn the pulley by hand, and see if the bearings feel ok.

You can replace the pulley on it's own, or it's sometimes possible to remove and grease up the bearings in it...

[amba]

Thanks for speedy response..the belt doesn,t move off the pullies nor jump around so from your advise all would seem well..how do i remove the belt ?is there something i need to slacken off ??and if the bearings are getting a bit worn are the parts expensive and is it just a matter of undoing the large centre nut and taking it off..then reversal to replace..then how do i re tension the belt?

[JamesV6CDX]

Thanks for speedy response..the belt doesn,t move off the pullies nor jump around so from your advise all would seem well..how do i remove the belt ?is there something i need to slacken off ??and if the bearings are getting a bit worn are the parts expensive and is it just a matter of undoing the large centre nut and taking it off..then reversal to replace..then how do i re tension the belt?

Easy peasy...

To remove the belt, get a 15mm spanner on the aux belt tensioner pulley (the one you say is moving). Turn it clockwise as if doing it up, and all the tension will be removed from the belt. Hold it there, pop the belt off, and slowly let it go.

You can then turn the pulley nut anti-clockwise, and remove the pulley.

From memory, new pulley is less than £30...

While it's off, check the condition of the belt and replace if needsbe.

Re-fitting is the reverse of removal, just install the pulley, turn the nut clockwise with a spanner, and while the tension's off, fit the belt over the pulley.

When you let go of the tensioner nut, it wil then apply the correct tension on the belt.

[Admin]

Sound like the belt and tensioner are fine.

If the bearings are getting worn you will hear it.

Removal is easy once you remove the "bagpipes" (air pipes at the front).

15mm socket on the tensioner and long bar as it requires a bit of force...
That releases tension on belt (be very careful when removing belt, if socket slips you could easily lose a finger!)

2 long E14 bolts hold tensioner on the side. Damn fiddly to get at, especially when replacing!  

Once off, it is simply a case of remove front, repack with grease and re-assemble.

[JamesV6CDX]

Sound like the belt and tensioner are fine.

If the bearings are getting worn you will hear it.

Removal is easy once you remove the "bagpipes" (air pipes at the front).

15mm socket on the tensioner and long bar as it requires a bit of force...
That releases tension on belt (be very careful when removing belt, if socket slips you could easily lose a finger!)

2 long E14 bolts hold tensioner on the side. Damn fiddly to get at, especially when replacing!  

Once off, it is simply a case of remove front, repack with grease and re-assemble.

Just personal opinion, but I've done this pulley quite easily a few times without removing the bagpipes...

[Admin]

That is you and I James...

Much easier access with them removed if you have not done the job before. Easy to remove too (as long as you watch the connectors on the vac reservoir!!)

[amba]

thanks for all your advise..will give it a go in morning and see if bearings are a bit worn ...if so sound like a fairly straight forward job..within my ability ..me thinks

[JamesV6CDX]

That is you and I James...

Much easier access with them removed if you have not done the job before. Easy to remove too (as long as you watch the connectors on the vac reservoir!!)

Agreed -

If you do go down the removing bagpipes route - make sure you don't

A) snag the coolant hose when removing
B) snap off the connections where the vac pipes meet the vac tank at the bottom!