Has anyone changed or adjusted the drive belts on a J30 engine?

[Victor]

The reason I ask one of mine is making a squealing noise when I first start driving my car. I suspect it is the one for the alternator as it feels the loosest and looks in the worst condition. I am trying to decide if it is something worth doing myself or should I pay the $111 I got quoted for parts and labor to replace all three belts (power steering, air conditioner, and alternator belts). I can't even see the adjustment bolts shown in the FSM, so figure I would have to do quite a bit of disassembly just to get to them if I just wanted to try tightening them up. I read the only post I could find on the subject in the DIY section, but still have questions. The FSM only has an adjustment spec and diagrams of the adjustment bolts, so is really of no help. My questions:1. Can all the work be done from the top or for some do I have to put the car on a lift or jackstands or ramps?2. The procedure I read said the radiator hoses had to be removed, which if correct means a big mess with radiator coolant, is this correct?3. The procedure said the alternator belt had to be loosened before the fan is removed. Just looking at it I don't see the reason for this, and is it really even necessary to remove the fan?4. If one knew where the adjustment bolts were, could they be adjusted without removing the air intake plumbing, radiator hoses, and fan? As I said just looking in from the top I can't even see them.5. Is there any best brand of belt to use, or would any house brand do, or should I spend the extra money for something like a Gatorback or OEM belt.6. If anyone has done this about how long would it take for someone doing it for the first time, and about how long for a professional mechanic?7. If you did this yourself would you do it again if you needed to replace a belt or would you just pay a pro to do it?

[yodawill2000]

You do it all from below.Jack it up and put on worthy jackstands.

Remove the lower engine cover and it will all be plain as day.Loosen the tensioner pulley and remove the belt.

[GerryO]

Theres no reason not to go OEM on the belts and I'm guessing about $45 to $60 for the three if you purchase them yourself. You can get a belt tensioning gauge on only two of them, plus there's no spec listed for using a gauge. I believe there are also some model year width differences. Not a fun job. You really don't need to get it up on jackstands, but it would probably help and getting a J30 up on ramps can involve removing the front bumper to get clearance.

Has your $111 mechanic ever changed all three belts on a Z32/VG30DE engine?
Modified by GerryO at 8:47 PM 8/4/2008

[kbflip02]

Has you $111 mechanic ever changed all three belts on a Z32 engine?

Z32 = 90-96 Nissan 300zx

[Victor]

yodawill, you were right about getting to the belt tension adjustments from under the car. I didn't see any engine cover, I guess mine is long gone. There was only about 3/16 of an inch of adjustment left on the alternator belt adjustment, so if the belt starts squealing again I guess I will have to replace it as it is now stretched to the limit. The job would be a lot easier if I had the car on a lift. Crawling under a low clearance car, even on ramps, is no fun, especially the dirt particles that keep falling into your eyes.

[yodawill2000]

I put mine on pretty tall jacks.Lay a large piece of cardboard down under the front end.And use goggles.

[graydragon]

best investment for laying on your back under a car is safety glasses clear lenses. Ive spent to much time wiping dirt out of my eyes before the glasses.