Auxilliary drive belt change 2.2 Direct

[keith barbarez]

This is my first post so please excuse the lack of formalities. I am struggling to complete a job that has never taken me longer than 30 mins on all my previous cars. As advised in Haynes manual I have removed the rhs front wheel arch inner cover but to my extreme disappointment this does not provide any obvious (to me anyway!) access to the tensioner to release the belt. There is a small hole in the exposed wheelarch which it might be possible to poke a thin bar or a screwdriver through to perhaps lever upwards the tensioner. Is this how it's done? I haven't removed the air filter housing as I don't think this would provide much better access from under the bonnet but I could be wrong. Any advice gratefully received.

[keith barbarez]

A bit disappointing to receive no help from forum members but I guess diy servicing & maintenance is a minority sport these days. For the benefit of anyone else struggling with this, the procedure described in the Haynes manual is hopeless. Removing the inner wheel arch cover doesn't provide any access to the tensioner (not on my 2.2 direct sri anyway). With pit access to the underside I removed the lower cover (4 screws including 1 in the wheel arch), used a scissors jack (placed on a plank across the pit at floor level) to lever upwards against the underside of the tensioner with a piece of wood (3/4" square section) about 12" long. Still very little room to work but was just doable. Also had to put the new belt on the a/c compressor sprocket last as the crankshaft one has a wide lip and there was too little slack in the belt. Not sure what would have happened to my fingers if the piece of wood had sprung away from the jack so take care. There surely must be an easier and safer way than this!

[rushy]

Sorry you didnt get any help mate. If the guys in the know had seen the thread they would have definitely helped you out. Most guys come online after 5 ish so thats a better time to post. Glad you got it sorted and your advice will come in handy if anyone else comes across the same problem.
Welcome to the site by the way. Don't let your first experience put you off.