Help! Xantia Auxiliary Belt

[Guest broxibear]

Could one of you lovely people please tell me how to replace this belt on the 2.1td? The car is on the verge of being set alight! Could citroen not have made things a wee bit tighter in there? lol

[Johndouglas]

Yes - I used to have a 2.1 - great motors. Not much room between the end of the engine and the inner wing. You'll need bonnet open, wheel off and wing liner removed. Also a wire coat hanger opened out with a squared hook on the end is helpful. Start fitting at the crank shaft. Left side of belt goes under the idler pulley from left to right; then up and over PAS pulley from left to right; then down and under the tensioner (which needs to be loosened); up and over the alternator - this is where you'll need the wire hook: down and round the aircon and back to the crank. The belt may be tight even with the tensioner pinched up in the loose position. I find it helpful to turn the engine will the belt goes on the last pulley. Make sure the ridges get into the correct spot.

[Guest broxibear]

Yes - I used to have a 2.1 - great motors. Not much room between the end of the engine and the inner wing. You'll need bonnet open, wheel off and wing liner removed. Also a wire coat hanger opened out with a squared hook on the end is helpful. Start fitting at the crank shaft. Left side of belt goes under the idler pulley from left to right; then up and over PAS pulley from left to right; then down and under the tensioner (which needs to be loosened); up and over the alternator - this is where you'll need the wire hook: down and round the aircon and back to the crank. The belt may be tight even with the tensioner pinched up in the loose position. I find it helpful to turn the engine will the belt goes on the last pulley. Make sure the ridges get into the correct spot.

Thanks for the reply, i think i figured out the run of the belt, i dont have a manual so i've no idea how to loosen the tensioner! Do you think i would get away with cutting the belt then just stick it back together with chewing gum? Bloody thing!!! lol

[Johndouglas]

The tensioner (as far as I remember) is a bearing with an off-centre pivot. The tightest point is held with an 8mm square angled wrench while the pivot bolt is tightened.

[Guest broxibear]

The tensioner (as far as I remember) is a bearing with an off-centre pivot. The tightest point is held with an 8mm square angled wrench while the pivot bolt is tightened.

Just wanted to thank you for your help, finally got it fixed following a lot of cursing and skint knuckles! What a carry on for a simple job, hope i never have to do that again! Cheers mate.