Checking the drivebeit condition
2. Apply the handbrake, then jack up the front of the car and support it on axle stands (see "Jacking and vehicle support"). Remove the right-hand front roadwheel and the wheel arch liner. Where necessary, undo the retaining nut, and free the coolant hoses from the retaining clip to improve access to the crankshaft sprocket bolt.
3. Using a suitable socket and extension bar fitted to the crankshaft sprocket bolt, rotate the crankshaft so that the entire length of the drivebelt can be examined. Examine the drivebelt for cracks, splitting, fraying, or other damage. Check also for signs of glazing (shiny patches) and for separation of the belt plies. Renew the belt if worn or damaged.
4. If the condition of the belt is satisfactory, check the drivebelt tension as described below under the relevant sub-heading.
Removal
5. If not already done, carry out the operations described in paragraph 2.
6. Disconnect the battery negative terminal (refer to "Disconnecting the battery").
7. Slacken the two bolts securing the tensioner pulley assembly to the engine, and the lower alternator mounting bolt.
8. Rotate the adjuster bolt to move the tensioner pulley away from the drivebelt, until there is sufficient slack for the drivebelt to be removed from the pulleys.
Refitting
9. Fit the belt around the pulleys, ensuring that the belt is of the correct type if it is being renewed, and take up the slack in the belt by tightening the adjuster bolt.
10. Tension the drivebelt as described in the following paragraphs.
Tensioning
11. If not already done, carry out the operations described in paragraph 2.
12. Correct tensioning of the drivebelt will ensure that it has a long life. Beware, however, of overtightening, as this can cause wear in the alternator bearings.
13. The belt should be tensioned so that, under firm thumb pressure, there is approximately 5.0 mm of free movement at the mid-point between the pulleys, on the longest belt run.
14. To adjust the tension, with the two tensioner pulley assembly retaining bolts and the lower alternator mounting bolt slackened, rotate the adjuster bolt until the correct tension is achieved. Once the belt is correctly tensioned, rotate the crankshaft through two complete turns, and recheck the tension.
15. When the belt is correctly tensioned, securely tighten the tensioner pulley assembly retaining bolts, and the lower alternator mounting bolt.
16. Reconnect the battery negative terminal.
17. Clip the coolant hoses back in position, and secure with the retaining nut (where removed). Refit the wheel arch liner and the roadwheel, and lower the vehicle to the ground.