belts..

[turbo98eclipse]

what are the two belts next to (to the right) the timing belt? and would replacing those be as difficult as replacing the timing belt? thanx guys

 

[andrewjscott]

This is how it is on my 91, pretty sure its the same (or similar)

The belts are the water pump belt/alternator (could include A/C if applicable) belt and power steering pump belt. Very easy to replace.

For the p/s belt, loosen two bolts, one is on the exhaust manifold side (the pivot bolt), the other you have to position the pulley so you can get a socket though one of the two holes. Then loosen off the tension. To keep the belt tight, I just used a large wrench, braced it between the p/s pump and the head, and pull til tight, then tighten. Follow reverse for install.

The alternator belt is very similar process. You need to loosen off the pivot bolt (hard to get at, near the bottom of the alternator), then there is two bolts used for tension, both perpendicular to eachother, loosing the one that goes through the alternator mounting bracket first, then loosen the longer bolt that is used for tension. Again, reverse is for install.

 

[hereitcomes]

correct.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

thanx! if either one of these snap, how big of a hole am i in?

 

[andrewjscott]

Its a huge deal if it happens at the wrong time. If the p/s pump went, you'll just have manual steering. Water Pump/ alternator would be a bigger problem as water will not circulate and cool the engine, thus overheating. Also the alternator will not be running, thus running your battery dead....it'll stilll run though, just not a good idea. If your worried about them breaking, they probably need replacing, they're only about 25 bucks to replace.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

yea cuz i was looking at them the other day and the one closest to the timing belt (power steering belt?) is like dry rotted and the tracks are starting to break off...the timing belt and the other belts look good though. the one which im concerned about is the one closest to the timing belt enclosure and is up higher than the rest of the belts around it...p/s belt? i can take a pic if you're still not too sure which one im talking about

 

[andrewjscott]

Sounds like the p/s belt to me.....if its a V-Belt, it's definatly your p/s belt. If its got ridges on the inside (ribs) it's the alternator/water belt. If it looks like the way you describe....replace it.

 

[Defiant]

It's a thirty-minute job and the belts cost about fifty bucks. Just replace them.

 

[LiquidOC]

While you're in there, make sure to replace the harmonic balancer as well, it'll save you a load of trouble (it's the bottom-most pulley in the loop.) 80 dollar part or so from mitsu, and you already have the belts off, might as well change it, because when it goes....so will all those precious new belts (it's what happened to me when I first got the car and decided to replace all the acc. belts.)