SO lastyear I noticed my alternator light/charge battery message would come up and it only happened with AC on and while I was in a auto carwash..I changed my battery because it was old. Recently I was in Car wash and same message came up> Safe to assume the belt is slipping with the added load of the AC pulley? When I turn off AC voltages climbs back up..

Are fan belts easy to tighten?

Thanks Guys!

 

My fan belt was recently replaced (prior to my purchasing the car) and when I turn the car off there is a slight squeak made that sounds like it's from a belt. I too am interested to know what's involved with tightening up this belt!

 

Lol, joke? There's no fan belt on the M96 motors, only an accessory belt. this belt is tensioned via a spring tensioner(automatic) and cannot be preloaded.

If you're referring to an older air cooled car, fan/alt belt tension is achieved via shims between the fan drive sheaves(pulley halves) Removing shims adds tension, adding them reduces it.

 

Sometimes mine slips at initial start-up

I get a squeal, and a low voltage reading for a few seconds, then it returns to normal

Not sure if a new belt is needed, as they're held under tension by a spring anyway

 

oops red faced rennfab...I had no idea lol....never the lessif I am getting some low voltage when car is wet and it has a spring tensioner is this a sign the accesory belt is wore?

 

No worries, I was just poking a little fun

The belts do stretch a minor amount but moreso they glaze over time from use/debris/contaminants and can slip, and being that they are loaded by an automatic spring tensioner there's no adjustment available.

You can attempt a cheap fix by using one off those spray on belt conditioners, but at best you're just prolonging an overdue fix at that point. The belt is fairly cheap(contitech is about $50-60) replacing it can be a chore to those not accustomed to doing so.

 

It's obvious your car is telling you not to take it through any automatic car washes.....