Many car owners neglect the condition of the attachment belt, believing that there is no need to change it. Until, at one point, it breaks off, burying the water pump, air conditioning and power steering. In this article, we will look at how to independently replace the drive belt with an Opel Astra J.
Drive belt replacement timing
According to the maintenance regulations, on the Opel Astra h 1 6, the drive belt must be replaced every 30 thousand hours of operation. The service life of these parts is measured in hours, not kilometers. For example, during downtime in a traffic jam. However, in practice, the life of the part will greatly depend on weather conditions, the load on electrical appliances and driving style. Experienced car owners advise preparing for a replacement after 15-20 thousand hours or two years later.
Naturally, do not forget about the routine diagnostics of the tension belt. The main symptom of a malfunction is a whistle associated with a slipping belt. However, the whistle may be associated with the ingress of liquid on the components of the system. You should not sound the alarm if you hear a whistle, say after a rain or after driving into a puddle. If the whistle appears when the electronic systems of the car are under load, it is urgent to check its condition.
Small horizontal cracks are an acceptable wear defect. If there are no ribs on the surface and long vertical cracks appear, the belt must be urgently replaced. Inadmissible defects include areas polished to a shine and disheveled ends, from which threads climb. In addition to the belt, it is also worth inspecting the tensioner pulley. It must be parallel to the stop plates. If it is adjacent to them, it should be replaced.
Untimely replacement of the belt can lead to a break. Its breakage cannot be compared with the breakage of the timing belt, but it is still quite an unpleasant phenomenon. First, your car's air conditioning will turn off. And if without it you can still get to the service, then without power steering it will be much more difficult to do this. However, the most serious danger is overheating of the engine. This is due to the fact that without torque, the water pump stops supplying coolant to the engine. Therefore, on the way to the service, carefully monitor the engine temperature sensor.
Belt location in Opel Astra h
The main task of this part is to transmit torque to the generator, air conditioner, pump and power steering. This is done by transmitting torque from the cranked car to the pulleys of these devices. In turn, the pulleys of the devices convert the moment into the required type of movement or electricity. It is located on the left (if you stand in front of the hood) side of the engine.
Preparing for a replacement
Before replacing the drive belt on the Opel Astra h, remove the keys from the ignition and let the car cool down. Never replace while the engine is hot, otherwise you could be seriously burned. In addition, on a hot or warm engine, it will not work to set the correct tension. This is due to the fact that when heated, the parts expand and move. Even if you set the correct tension, as soon as the engine cools down, the belt will loosen. Immediately before the procedure, it is necessary to disconnect the negative terminal of the battery. To replace, you will need a socket head for 19 and 14.
Replacement process
The replacement procedure for an Opel Astra is as follows:
- We put a jack under the engine.
- We unscrew the fixing bolts and remove the front right wheel.
- Remove the right engine mudguard. To do this, use a 14 key to unscrew the fastenings of the engine compartment pan and remove it. Then we unscrew the three bolts of the bottom mounting of the mudguard, snap off the side retainer and remove the mudguard.
- We remove the air cleaner. To do this, disconnect the air pipe and unscrew the mounting bolts.
- Dismantle the engine mount.
- Weaken the tension by rotating the tensioner roller counterclockwise.
- Remove the drive belt.
- We put on a new belt. Then we scroll the crankshaft three full turns so that it takes the correct position.
- Tension the belt by turning the tensioner clockwise.
On this, the replacement procedure can be considered completed. However, before reassembly, it is worth checking the tension. It is considered that the alternator belt is tensioned correctly if in the middle of the alternator pulley and the crankshaft it cannot be twisted around its axis by more than 90o. It is difficult to describe the degree of effort involved, but with experience this feeling comes automatically.
Differences in replacing the drive belt in other Opel models
The attachment drive device is identical throughout the Opel Astra family. This applies to models "F", "G", "H", "J" and "K". Moreover, in addition to minor design differences in the system, replacing the drive belt in the Opel Zafira 1.8 is essentially no different from replacing the drive belt in the Opel Astra j.
Replacing the alternator belt, that is, the drive of auxiliary units (pump, air conditioner and generator), is largely similar on different engines. The differences are only in the layout of the tension rollers and the resulting features. Also, on different engines, the number of drive units may be different, which means belt length will also be different.
Before removing the old belt, it is recommended to draw a tension diagram to make it easier to navigate when reinstalling. If the old belt will be put back after removal, it is worth drawing installation marks, in particular, indicate in which direction the belt is spinning. An incorrectly installed old belt will fail much faster.
Belt rotates clockwise when viewed from the belt drive side of the engine.
The frequency of replacing the alternator belt and malfunctions in the event of a break
The question of when to change the drive belt is answered by the Opel Astra H repair manual - for Z13DTH, Z17DTH, Z17D7L engines replacement interval is every 90,000 km or every 6 years. For Z19DT (L / H) - every 120,000 km (or once every 10 years), and on engines Z19DTH / Z17DT (L / H) - every 150,000 km (or once every 10 years).
A broken drive belt can cause the following problems:
decrease in capacity or undercharging of the battery;
overheating of the cooling system;
coolant circulation disorder.
Checking the drive belt Opel Astra N
The belt drive is located on the engine on the right, when viewed in the direction of the car. To check the belt, it should be inspected and felt along the entire length, determining the presence of cracks and delaminations. Also unacceptable are defects such as scuffs or areas polished to a shine.
Then, on gasoline engines, the belt tensioner lever should be inspected. It should be between the stops on the base plate. If it is adjacent to the stop, then the belt should be replaced along with the tensioner.
1. The operations for removing and installing a multi-ribbed drive belt are in most cases similar for all engines, the differences are determined only by the layout options for the tension rollers and related features. If the descriptions below do not provide a complete belt replacement procedure, you should refer to the operations for the Z16XEP gasoline engine.
2. The multi-ribbed belt is designed to drive auxiliary units such as generator, water pump and air conditioner pump assembly. Depending on the engine model and configuration, the number of drive units may be different, and accordingly the length of the belts will be different - be careful when buying a new belt for your car. Before removing the belt, it is recommended to draw a diagram of its tension.
3. If the belt is to be reused, before removing it from the pulleys, make a mark (in the form of an arrow) with a marker to determine the direction of rotation of the multi-ribbed belt during subsequent installation.
Note: The belt rotates clockwise when looking at the engine from the belt drive side.
If a previously used belt is installed without observing the direction of rotation, it will be subject to increased wear and will quickly fail.
Z16XEP engine
Withdrawal
4. Remove the air cleaner ().
5. Apply a mark to determine the direction of rotation of the belt during installation.
6. By means of a key (see sopr. an illustration) turning it in the direction specified by an arrow wring out a tension roller and fix it with a special core, then remove a belt.
Installation
7. Slide the multi-ribbed belt over the drive pulleys.
8. Using a wrench, slightly depress the tension roller in the direction of the arrow and remove the locking rod. Then slowly turn the key clockwise - the multirib belt will tighten.
9. Install the air cleaner.
Z18XE engine
10. Before removing the air cleaner (), you must remove the engine cover ().
11. To loosen the multirib belt, the central bolt of the tension roller is used (see illustration), for which, using a regular wrench (15 mm), press it in the direction of the arrow.
Engines Z20LE(L/R/H)
12. The procedure for loosening the multirib belt is shown in the accompanying illustration (the key must be pressed in the direction of the arrow).
Z22YH engine
13. The multirib belt on these models is removed from below, first remove the right engine boot ().
14. Turn the tensioner (see illustration) by the bolt in the direction of the arrow and loosen the multirib belt.
15. After installing the multirib belt, check the position of the tensioner lever (see illustration) - with the belt tensioned, the control mark of the lever should be between the marks of limiting the position of the lever.
16. Replace the boot and lower the car onto the wheels.
Z14XEP engine
17. A feature of this engine is that in order to replace the multirib belt, it is necessary to remove the right engine support, for which first remove the right engine boot and install a special tool ().
18. After installing the tool, lower the car, open the hood and remove the air cleaner ().
19. Turn out bolts of fastening of the right support (refer to an illustration see) and dismantle it.
20. Using the KM-6131 special tool, press the tension roller in the direction indicated by the long arrow (see illustration) and fix it in this position. Remove the multirib belt.
21. If it is necessary to replace/remove the tension roller, disconnect the right support mounting bracket from the engine block (see illustration), to do this, unscrew 3 fixing bolts. Then once again wring out the tension roller, remove the fixing device KM-9S5-2 and release the roller. Turn out fixing bolts of the tension device (see an illustration 7.20) and remove it from the engine.
22. Install all removed components in the reverse order of removal.
Z13DTH engine
23. The multirib belt on these models is removed from below. You must first remove the right engine boot ().
24. Loosen the multirib belt by turning the tensioner with a special key (refer to illustration 7.24a) in the direction of the arrow, and fix the tensioner in this position with the locking rod (refer to illustration 7.24b).
Note: At the service station, the KM-6130 device is used for this purpose.
Remove the belt.
Z17DT engine
25. Loosen the multirib belt by turning the tensioner with a key on the central bolt of the tension roller (see illustration) in the direction of the arrow, and fix the tensioner in this position with the locking rod, then remove the belt.
Z19DT(H) engines
26. First remove the engine crankcase protection ().
27. Loosen the multi-ribbed belt by turning the tensioner with a special key (see illustration 7.27a) in the direction of the arrow, and fix the tensioner in this position with the locking rod (see illustration 7.27b), then remove the belt.
Replacing the alternator belt, that is, the drive of auxiliary units (pump, air conditioner and generator), is largely similar on different engines. The differences are only in the layout of the tension rollers and the resulting features. Also, on different engines, the number of drive units may be different, which means belt length will also be different.
Before removing the old belt, it is recommended to draw a tension diagram to make it easier to navigate when reinstalling. If the old belt will be put back after removal, it is worth drawing installation marks, in particular, indicate in which direction the belt is spinning. An incorrectly installed old belt will fail much faster.
Belt rotates clockwise when viewed from the belt drive side of the engine.
The frequency of replacing the alternator belt and malfunctions in the event of a break
The question of when to change the drive belt is answered by the Opel Astra H repair manual - for Z13DTH, Z17DTH, Z17D7L engines replacement interval is every 90,000 km or every 6 years. For Z19DT (L / H) - every 120,000 km (or once every 10 years), and on motors Z19DTH / Z17DT (L / H) - every 150,000 km (or once every 10 years).
A broken drive belt can cause the following problems:
decrease in capacity or undercharging of the battery;
overheating of the cooling system;
coolant circulation disorder.
Checking the drive belt Opel Astra N
The belt drive is located on the engine on the right, when viewed in the direction of the car. To check the belt, it should be inspected and felt along the entire length, determining the presence of cracks and delaminations. Also unacceptable are defects such as scuffs or areas polished to a shine.
Then, on gasoline engines, the belt tensioner lever should be inspected. It should be between the stops on the base plate. If it is adjacent to the stop, then the belt should be replaced along with the tensioner.
Replacing the alternator belt, pump and air conditioning compressor Astra N
Complexity
ToolNot marked
The auxiliary drive belt on all engines of the Opel Astra car is removed in approximately the same way. The exception is the Z 14 XEP engine, which requires a special tool to remove the belt, and it is also necessary to dismantle the right suspension support of the power unit.
Z16XER do the following.
You will need a wrench or socket "19".
2. Remove the right mudguard of the engine.
3. Turn the tensioner pulley counterclockwise with a wrench until the belt tension is loosened ...
Note
This is how the dodecahedron for turning the tension roller is located on the body of the tensioner.
4. ... remove the accessory drive belt from the tension roller ...
5. ...and remove the belt completely
6. Install a new accessory drive belt in the reverse order of removal.
7. Rotate the crankshaft three full turns to get the accessory drive belt in the correct position on the pulleys.
To replace the engine accessory drive belt Z 18 XER do the following.
1. Remove the right front wheel.
3. Use a wrench to turn the tensioner pulley by the center bolt counterclockwise. A(Fig. 1) before loosening the belt tension, remove the accessory drive belt from the tension roller and completely remove the belt.
Rice. 1. Removing the accessory drive belt of the Z 18 XER engine:
To replace the drive belt for auxiliary units of the Opel Astra with engines Z 20 LER And Z 20LEH do the following.
1. Remove the right front wheel.
2. Remove the right mudguard of the engine (see "Removal and installation of mudguards and engine crankcase protection").
3. Turn the tensioner roller clockwise by the central bolt with a wrench A(Fig. 2) before loosening the belt tension, remove the accessory drive belt from the tension roller and completely remove the belt.
Rice. 2. Removing the accessory drive belt for the Z 20 LER and Z 20 LEH engines: A - the central bolt of the tension roller.
4. Install a new accessory drive belt in the reverse order of removal.
5. Turn the crankshaft three full turns to get the accessory drive belt in the correct position on the pulleys.
To replace the engine accessory drive belt Z 14 Dick do the following.
1. Remove the right front wheel.
2. Remove the right mudguard of the engine (see "Removal and installation of mudguards and engine crankcase protection").
3. Remove the air filter (see Removing and installing the air filter and air duct).
4. Remove the right support of a suspension bracket of the power unit (Replacement of suspension brackets of the power unit see).
5. Using a special tool 2 (Fig. 3) KM-955-2 press the tension roller in the direction shown by the arrow until the belt tension is loosened and fix it in this position, remove the auxiliary drive belt from the tension roller and completely remove the belt.
Rice. 3. Removing the drive belt of auxiliary units of the engine Z 14 XEP: 1.3 - bolts for fastening the tension roller; 2 - fixture KM-955-2 for loosening the tensioner.
