New Belts on a 99..

[oldmako]

I now know why the dealer wants 200 bucks to replace the belts.

Removed fan from the hub on the water pump. Surprise, Fan cannot be lifted free without removing shroud behind the radiator. Fan shoved aside and first (alternator) belt removed by slacking belt tension and then removing tensioner. Fan now uniquely positioned to get in the way, but it appears to be easier to leave it than removing the rad shroud and who knows what else to get IT out of the way.

Huh...there's a 4th belt in there! IOS sent me 3 belts....and only two of them usable since they sent me two A/C compressor belts. So much for giving them the VIN and asking for "all the belts".

Walked over to advance auto (half a block) and special ordered the (missing) water pump belt and the (missing) power steering pump belt. Eight AM tomorrow so they say. I'll be amazed if the correct belts show up. If not, I can schlep to the dealer and try to get the belts from them. No way I was going to try that stunt this afternoon.

Came back and removed the remaining belt tensioner's and belts. A substantial pain I might add. I like the idea of the tensioner, but having to remove them to hang a new belt is a PITA.

I am amazed at the condition of the other two belts. Nissan surely has the finest engineers on the planet because there is no way those belts should have powered their appliance's in their condition. There are spots on one where ALL the ribs are gone and only the strap remains. The other one is just cracked all to hell. It is only missing (hundreds of) small segments, not entire sections of rib. So much for the previous owners diligence and maintenance. But, I suppose this speaks volumes for the parts.

I'll try to shoot some pics of the old belts so you guys can laugh at me and my car.

The car is in now in pieces outside my condo. Bummer.It's a good thing this thing looks so good up on jacks and that I am so enamored with the way it runs and drives!

I figure that IF I had the correct belts, this would have been a 2 1/2 hour..maybe 3 hour, two beer job. But, I had a third on the walk over to Advance, and another when I got back because I was so pi$$ed.

If you add tomorrows beer, and time for my little walk and phone call to IOS.....I now figure this to be a 4 hour, 5 beer job.

ps....is there a reason that a 10mm nut on the fan hub has to be put on with 4000 pounds of torque?? I busted my knuckle on the first bolt!

And to think I could get the entire engine out of my VW Bus in less than 30 minutes. But, It wouldn't climb hills, or go much over 70 mph either

[maxnix]

This is an easy job from underneath. Luckily, all the bearings in the tensioner can be replaced. Be sure not to downgrade any of them

Call Joe and give him that person's name. Might have been the packer.