Easier Way To Adjust Drive Belt Tension?

[TXSquirrel]

Hi folks, my R32 GTR seems to have a squeaky noise coming from under the hood when engine is cold. I can't pin point where that noise comes from due to the cooling fan noise, but I would guess it's a loose drive belt.

I am really new to R32 GTR (I guess most of us in the States are). The engine is completely stock, and from what I can see there doesn't appear to be any easy way to adjust any of the drive belts. The power steering belt appears to require removal of air filter box and turbo charge pipe. The alternator belt appears to require the removal of upper fan shroud and upper radiator hose. The A/C compressor belt, well, I am not even sure it can be adjusted without putting the car on jacks.

Any tips or advises will be greatly appreciated!

David

[jiffo]

Remove the plastic windage tray, things are more accessible from below.

Aircon is the easiest of them all. Tensioner is looking at you, lock nut and adjuster.

For power steer and alternator, I find 12mm ratchet spanner works the best.

[XGTRX]

Before you do anything start the car and squirt some water on one pulley at a time see which one makes the noise stop.

[TXSquirrel]

Remove the plastic windage tray, things are more accessible from below.

Aircon is the easiest of them all. Tensioner is looking at you, lock nut and adjuster.

For power steer and alternator, I find 12mm ratchet spanner works the best.

I see. Sounds like putting the car on jack stands and adjust all 3 belts from bottom is the way to do it.

Before you do anything start the car and squirt some water on one pulley at a time see which one makes the noise stop.

I have not heard this trick before! I sure will give it a try.

[jiffo]

With a GTR, you need access from below for most tasks.

As for identifying belt noise, it's not that hard.

You can cycle the aircon on/off to test if that belt is loose. Also use a long handled screw driver to your ear and against the tensioner pulley to check its bearing as they give trouble, although it will be a constant noise.

Power steer has no load until you work the steering wheel, so again it's a simple check. Turn the wheel and listen for belt squeal as well as feel the steering wheel jump in your hands when the pump stops/starts due to belt slip.

That only leaves the alternator which is 99% the one making initial start up noise while the battery is getting max charge.

[Duncan]

haha welcome to busy engine bays made for tiny Japanese mechanic hands

[TXSquirrel]

Haha yeah I owned a Z31 for 14 years before I got this R32, and oftentimes I would wonder if it's just lazy engineering or their mechanics' hands are really that small.

As suggested by Jiffo, I paid attention when cycling A/C off and on and turn steering left and right. The noise didn't appear to have change much, and that leads me to believe it's the alternator belt.

So besides the squeaky noise when cold, there is also a mechanical grinding noise. And just like the squeaky noise, the frequency increases with more rev and goes away after warm up. Could it be worn water pump or fan clutch? Hence dragging the alternator drive belt?

Edited November 11, 2015 by TXSquirrel

[jiffo]

The air con belt tensioner runs all the time so a shot tensioner bearing will be a constant noise.

I'd give that one a check with the screw driver before going further.

If all else fails, drop one belt off at a time to find the culprit.