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MG MGF Technical - What's this belt?

I have a 96 P reg F. Near the base of the engine on the drivers side is a belt running front to back horizontally. Mine has started to split along it's length. Anyone know what it does, it doesn't look like the timing belt but I'd like to know what it does and can I change it myself. Any information would be welcome.
Thanks in advance
John
John

Does the VVC belt run on this side? - is yours a VVC?

Will
Will Munns

No will, mine's a bog standard 1.8
John
john

Accessed via off-side wheel arch panel? It'll be the alternator belt.
Rob Bell

Is the wheel arch panel easy to remove, I assume it's bolted from the inside somewhere and will it go back properly or is it tricky to get it back in the same position?
john

Yes and no John. It *should* be easy to remove, but the problem is, the fibreboard panel is held in place by a steel self-tapping screw that goes into an aluminium support member. Bad combination that leads to electrolytic corrosion. As a result, that screw often just shears off. >:o(

Other than that, it's a doddle!
Rob Bell

John, the belt is not the easiest to remove ,fit and adjust correctly due to the access problem. The alternator needs to be slackend and the tension correctly set. I would get a quote from your local mechanic who has had some experience with this.
Mike.
mike

Hi,
that is the mad bolt that Rob reffers to ;)
http://www.mgfcar.de/defects/screw4wheelhcover.jpg

Never tried to change that belt, but I know what I'd do here in D when I knew it would fail soon due to the mentioned wear.

I'd buy one and keep it in the front bonnet. ... and when it fails anywhere on the road I'd call for the friendly ADAC guy (UK is AA) and whine about a problem with my car.
ADAC 'yellow car' appears and the speciallist would find out:
"Oh man, the alternator belt is broken. Seldom part in D. I need to pull you to your next MGR workshop, cause I haven't one with me."

Big *grin* in my face...
"Hey, what coincidence, I beleave I have one with me. ... Can you install please ?"
;)

Aren't you member of the AA ?

Cheers
Dieter
Dieter K.

Krafty Dieter - like it ;o) !!!

Jim
Jim

Another trick is: go on a holiday with some MG enthusiasts, make sure Mike, David, Andrew, Dieter and some others are comming with you and start complaining about the car. They get you the spare parts ;-)

not really nice... sorry but I am still thankfull for all the help/parts you guys offered.
Erik

It was the alternator belt and the mechanic did it last night in no time at all. Thanks everyone for your help and devious hints on how to get the job done.
Was panicing in case it was the timing belt but am happy now.
Alls well that ends well
John
John

Erik, bill is in the post;-)
mike.
mike

This thread was discussed between 04/11/2002 and 05/11/2002

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