Drive belt tension (Peugeot 306)

The tension of the alternator V-belt is carried out using Figure 164:

• Loosen the generator mounting bolts (2) and (3) and adjust the belt tension with the tension bolt (1) so that when you press hard with your finger on its long section, the belt can deflect by approximately 5 mm. After adjusting the tension, tighten bolt (2) to a torque of 35 Nm and bolt (3) to a torque of 15 Nm.
• If the vehicle is equipped with power steering and/or air conditioning, the corresponding belt is tensioned in accordance with the instructions in section "Steering".
• On the XU engine, the alternator is driven by a single belt along with the power steering pump pulley and, if equipped, the air conditioning compressor. But these engines can be equipped with either an adjustable tensioner or an automatic drive belt tensioner.

Automatic drive belt tensioner

This device is installed if there is a power steering and air conditioning, its location is shown in Figure 165.





Text taken from the website (PEUGEOTBOOK)

The drive belt is replaced as follows:

• Remove the right front wheel and the wheel arch shield.
• Insert the ratchet's square socket into the square hole (1) and turn the ratchet mechanism to the left until a 4 mm socket wrench can be inserted into the hole (2). This holds the tensioner in the "loosen" position.
• Remove the belt from the pulleys.
• Check the ability of the roller (4) and the tensioner roller (4) to rotate freely. They should not have any play or jam.
• Place the drive belt on the belt pulleys. The belt should be placed in the middle of the pulleys, that is, it should fit well into the recesses of the belt pulleys.
• Turn the inserted ratchet to allow the rod wrench to be pulled out. After this, operate the ratchet until the belt is tensioned under the influence of the tensioning device.
• All other work is carried out in reverse order. Tighten the wheel bolts to 85 Nm.

Manually adjustable belt tensioner

A manual belt tensioner is installed on vehicles with only power steering or only air conditioning. The belt drives the alternator and the power steering pump or air conditioning compressor. At the service station, a special measuring device is used to adjust the belt. Since it is highly likely that it is not available, the belt should be tensioned so that it does not bend more than approximately 2 mm when pressed from the bottom.

• After removing the right front wheel and the wheel arch shield, unscrew the two bolts (2) and (3) in Figure 166 and tighten the bolt (1) until it stops. Then remove the belt.
• Check the ability of the roller (4) to rotate freely.
• Place the belt on the pulleys. Check the position of the belt in the middle of the pulleys.
• Tighten bolts (2) and (3) and loosen bolt (1) until the belt is tensioned. After this, tighten the two bolts to a torque of 30 Nm.
• Turn the crankshaft four revolutions and check the belt tension again. If necessary, make further adjustments using bolt (1).
• All other work is carried out in reverse order. Tighten the wheel bolts to 85 Nm.