Aux belt question..

[NathanC]

You'll have to forgive me if this sounds a bit dumb, but I'm not mechanically minded in the slightest.
I've just bought a 182, looks in good nick, had the cambelt changed at 70k, drives fine. Was speaking with the previous owner and he was saying last year he had a new alternator and battery. I've looked at the service history and there's nothing about an aux belt change - could this have been done with the alternator? Is there a way of telling when the car is running whether the aux belt is knackered? Previous owner has no idea regarding the detail of the work done.
Just want to be prepared to set aside some £££ if it looks like it needs sorting. The car has done 86k btw.

Cheers,
Nath

 

[Coops Mk1]

the aux belt should of been done with the cambelt really, if its not listed as being done with it I'd get it to a specialist for a check over asap to be safe, the aux belt system is the weak point on these cars

 

[Dan@SJM]

I wouldn't say it's a weak part, it's often an over looked part. The aux kit should be replaced if the alternator was done.

Aux kit is due at 36k or 3 years, which ever is sooner.

 

[Coops Mk1]

fair point, that's really what I meant, the service interval is half that of the cambelt but people presume its the same, hence issues

 

[NathanC]

Cheers guys. The car is 10 years old and as far as I am aware, has never had a belt failure (touch wood), so I would assume that they have been done at the correct intervals.

 

[skinz]

I'd be putting money aside for dephaser on next cam belt change if there's no receipts for one being done. I see loads if 1*2s going up for sale around 70-80k, might be coincidence with dephaser/might not, I never researched when buying one and had to fork out within 6months of ownership.

 

[sum-dj]

Sorry to jump in but does the full aux belt kit need doing or just the belt? My car in garage this Thursday for aux belt and mechanic said don't have to change tensioner if it's not making a groaning noise. Do I tell him to do the full kit?

 

[Lewin]

Full kit !

 

[AlexW]

Tensioners can often seize.

Also the lower idler can become noisy or seize too.

 

[sum-dj]

Ok thanks for replies. Should it take more than an hour's labour? He said it'd be an hours labour just for the belt. It's same guy who did my timing belt and that was two years ago so he must be fair decent.

 

[Dan@SJM]

Realistically it's 2 hours to do the aux kit. An hour to do the belt yes. But make sure he does the full kit not just the belt.

 

[sum-dj]

Realistically it's 2 hours to do the aux kit. An hour to do the belt yes. But make sure he does the full kit not just the belt.

Ok mate. Thanks a lot for advice. Very much appreciated.