t. chapman
30 posts
Joined: 23/01/2006 12:07:03
Location: United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
removing belt driven fan
Hi i have a 90 cooper, Can anyone tell me if im ok to remove the belt driven fan and install a smaller belt for the alternator. I notice there is a second electric fan in the inner wing, is this sufficiant. The car does run cold all the time anyway, even on hot days.
Cheers
Posted: Jun 28, 2006 08:08 AM
John
1948 posts
Joined: 28/05/2006 16:49:46
Location: cambridge United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
it will overheat for sure the electric fan suchs air which is not very efficient plus as radiator is side on to frount of car u get little air blowing thru it as u drive along, u might get away with it with a second electric fan and a 4 core rad but i wouldnt think it was worth the cost/bother for power gain of removing engine powered fan unless ur racing
Posted: Jun 29, 2006 11:10 PM
Ash
21 posts
Joined: 14/12/2005 18:25:54
Location: Taunton United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Screaming fan belt!
Can someone tell me why fan belts scream and what can be done about it? My 1987 MIni is just back on the road, and this problem afflicts it. I think it happens more in the wet - presumably is because the belt slips? Did I imagine it, or did it stope because I turned off the lights? Lessening the load on the alternator? The belt has been tightened and look in good condition. Any information or solutions would be gratefully received.
Posted: May 14, 2009 02:58 PM
screaming fan belt
Thanks for the idea, but I replaced the water pump as part of the renovation, so I don't think that can be it.
Posted: May 14, 2009 04:25 PM
Screaming fan belt.
Thanks. It's interesting you say 1cm, I've been going on 13mm, which I was told, so I could tighten it a bit. Does it just make that scream because it's slipping and too slack? Is it also more likely when there's moisture about? It definitely happens more when the lights are on, presumably through greater resistance on the alternator pulley. Anyway, I'll take your advice, but I think I'll fit a brand new belt too as that will presumably have better grip. I can't help thinking the pulleys should be milled or something! Thanks again for help.
Posted: May 14, 2009 09:26 PM
Tom C
14 posts
Joined: 15/10/2007 19:34:22
Location: stamford United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Procedure for solving a squeaky fan belt
Just after changing the points and condensor, and then setting the gap in the points, i took the mini out for a spin. When travelling at slower speeds theres a squealing coming from what I'm assuming is the fan belt? Im assuming this because I turned the engine to set the points to maximum gap for adjustment.
Just wondering whats the best way to go about solving where the sqeal is coming from?
Is it possible the fan itself is slipping or not?
Any help greatly received!!!
Its a side mounted rad, and '88 engine 998cc if thats any help?!
Posted: Apr 25, 2011 08:58 PM
Barry Brown
511 posts
Joined: 23/06/2008 12:08:31
Location: New Barn United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
If the squeak goes away as you increase the revs then yes it is a squeaky fan belt. Traditionally cured by adjusting the tension on the fan belt by lossening the alternator mounts and adjusting the belt tension until there is about 1/2inch deflection when pressing the middle of the belt between alternator and bottom pulley. tighten it up again while keeping the tension on the belt. DO NOT use a lump of wood to lever the alternator out to give tension as this overloads the bearings and causes the alternator to fail.
There is a can of spray available that stops belts squeaking - used it on my mates F*rd diesel pickup t'other week. This had a noisy aircon belt that has an automatic tensioner so couldn't be adjusted. Sprayed the stuff on and it has been nicely quiet ever since.
If that doesn't cure it then it may be the water pump bearings starting to fail. With the engine turned off, check for water loss from the drain hole underneath the water pump spindle (just in from the edge of the pulley groove) as generally the bearings fail as the glands have gone hard and have let hot water into the ball races.
Posted: Apr 26, 2011 09:33 AM
Hey, thanks alot Barry!!
I had a look when I got back from work tonight, revving it from the carb so I could locate the noise. Believe it or not, the noise was actually being made by a loose slat on the my grill, a rivet had given way and the end was vibrating like mad when it was being driven!!! once I got up to speed it stayed still, but the slow speeds were enough for it to resonate!
You wouldnt believe how noisy it was from inside the cabin though, very distinct and exactly like a knackered belt!!!
Unbelievable!
Anyway, excellent reply none the less, and I've saved it to my documents for another time
Thanks again!
Posted: Apr 26, 2011 07:42 PM
gary miniman
8 posts
Joined: 27/10/2006 22:47:40
High pitch squel!
'Deffo' the fan belt
Posted: Nov 08, 2006 01:43 AM
Tim
1849 posts
Joined: 18/10/2004 09:40:59
Location: Bournemouth United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Squealing noise when revving up
You just need to tighten the fan belt a bit more!
Posted: Oct 03, 2011 09:28 AM
pickme
672 posts
Joined: 08/09/2004 23:10:14
Location: Chippenham United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Screeching Engine!
Sounds like a fan belt to me. See if it needs tightening/replacing. It should only deflect 13mm when you push down on the belt between the alternator and the rad fan.
Posted: Nov 26, 2006 08:38 AM
ALTERNATOR ADVICE
u might need to get a new bracket to fit it too im not sure and fan belt size might change slightly if pully is differnt size
Posted: Jan 13, 2007 04:47 PM
Chris
131 posts
Joined: 18/02/2005 08:56:10
Location: Leamington Spa United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Fanbelt
Good Afternoon Bert, As your vehicle is a 998 the fan belt is the drive belt that goues round the water, pump and alternator to the fan. The chances are the belt may be slack or require replacement, alternatively the tensioner may also require replacement. To check the tension of the belt it should move 12mm with light finger pressure halfway between the alternator and the fan. If it is visably cracked and in poor condition I would recommend replacing it as it is not expensive and very easy to do yourself. Hope this helps
Posted: Nov 18, 2005 01:04 PM
Roobz
223 posts
Joined: 15/12/2005 01:31:36
Location: Redbridge United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
squeal
More likely to be your fan belt. check for play and wear.
Posted: Aug 29, 2007 01:30 AM
STEERING
tires rubbing mayb (cause bent tie bar)? fan belt loose? always cheak that first.
Posted: Sep 13, 2007 11:19 PM
not running right
I would check the simple things first - like engine earth (it's always worth putting a seocnd one on), fan belt, etc.
Posted: Jan 12, 2009 07:34 PM
taffy1967
1783 posts
Joined: 27/09/2006 18:58:07
Location: Rhondda-Cynon-Taff United Kingdom (Excluding channel Islands)
Re:
Get the earth leads checked and adjust the fan-belt. Also check all the connections on the coil are tight too.
Posted: Jan 13, 2009 10:02 PM
Alternators hate my mini
Do you know what has actually gone wrong with these alternators? You say there is a squeal, but is this the fan belt squealing, the alternator bearings going, or something else?
Posted: Aug 03, 2009 09:39 PM
michael
79 posts
Joined: 02/03/2007 23:58:38
Location: Carpi Italy
overeheating mini
by the way is your fan belt slipping,fit anew one if its worn and tighten it to the correct torque
Posted: Aug 24, 2009 05:09 PM
Replacement belt(s) on 1997 jap (with ac) mini cooper
If you've got aircon then the other belt will be driving the compressor. So if the squeal is happening when the aircon is switched off, then it'll be the coming from the one that drives the fan and the alternator, so you just need to tighten it a little using the adjustment on the alternator bracket. You probably don't need to replace it unless it's split and fraying, but it would be a good idea to get a spare. I would imagine that the fan/alternator belt is the same as a standard mini, but I may be wrong. As for the compressor belt, I've no idea. Best bet is to go along to your local spares shop and ask them to look it up in their big book, or failing that take it off the car and get them to find one that matches.
Posted: Jun 05, 2010 08:51 PM