280zx2by2

Im Changing the belts on my Grand Luxury (yes i got all the options!!!)

just wanted to know if there are any things i need to look out for when i do this... things you guys would have different had you did it right the first time.. you know what im talking about...

thanks fellas!!!!! you guys make my day every day!!!!!

duowing

the only thing I think I would do differently is...uh, change the...belts? Seriously it's really easy on the 280ZX.

lifegrddude

Having a friend to help tighten the alternator belt is nice, but if not, I usually use a large bar for leverage to help get the tension right. That's about it as far as I can remember.

280zx2by2

only thing im really woried about is the little blue belt tensioners... had to take one off when i was changing my injectors(dont ask why) and it was i bitch...

NismoPick

What about the blue tensioner worries you???

duowing

those tensioners are great. They're all easy to access and it's easier than prying the alternator. I always just use a big crowbar to put leverage on the alt.

280zx2by2

well i guess if your not taking them off then its no problem...

mine were frose up, i guess they frose up due to the car sitting for a long time?

the reason im duing this is to get rid of a squealy sound in the engine bay but my belts do need replacing so this is the first step to solve the problem

any idea what the squeal could be? it only comes on when the cars warmed up so im thinking something in the lines of the fan clutch or the water pump(all be it the water pump is always running)

iestyn.lewis

The noise could be one of those blue tensioners. I had a squeal coming from that area. Squirting silicone lube on the tensioner shut it up for 10 minutes or so.

I took the tensioner off, there is a back bearing guard, the pulley, a front bearing guard, a washer, and a nut. Turned out the front bearing guard was bent a little, so it was contacting the spinning pulley and squeaking. I solved it by putting the washer inside the bearing guard, so pulley-washer-bearing guard-nut. That increased the clearance between the guard and the pulley and stopped the squeaking. Of course, it may let more dirt in there now.

Try squirting your tensioners with silicone and see if it shuts it up temporarily, if so, you might have what I had.

280zx2by2

does the sound come and go?... seems like in the mornings i cant here it but after i get off of the interstate and go to park i can here it.. i might can make a video so you can here it... ill chech the tensioners

and btw... belt change success... stoping the anoying *** squealing sound... fail if you didnt notice

snwbrderphat540

its blue!!!! SCARY!!!! lol oh and dont break any bolts/gauge the radiator thats the only real advise other wise just change the belts

iestyn.lewis

Yeah, it was annoying like that. Get a can of spray lube and squirt it in between the stationary part and the pulley while it's running, front and back, see if it quiets it down.

280zx2by2

ok, you think some pppatroleum jelly might work better?

iestyn.lewis

No, if it shuts it up, you'll know you have the same problem I did -rubbing bearing guard. I took my pulley apart and put the washer in between the pulley and the guard to stop them from rubbing. If it doesn't do anything - maybe you have a real problem...

280zx2by2

woot woot ill thank you if it works at the dome when LHS rolls in and rocks the house

duowing

It can be anything from old belts, to pulley bearings, to loose belts, etc. A high pitched squeal though is usually from one of the tensioners or the belt being loose either because it's old or it needs to be readjusted. Usually after a month or two you need to check your belts because they will loosen a little because they stretch. Waterpump usually doesn't do a high pitched squeal.