Bad_dude

Hello,
I about to change out my alternator next week and want to change these belts out too.
I have a 1990 Accord LX 4AT.

*****One question before I change out the alternator. My car is only 146K miles, would a loose tension alternator cause my dash battery warning light to be on? The alternator is getting 14V or more at idle under all load but AC load which is at about 12.8V, which cause me to suspect the loose or bad belt since the AC is driven on the same belt. What more is that when the AC is on, I rev the engine up, I get 14.4V to 14.56V constant. What do you guys think? The dash battery stays on most of the time now but goes off some time, especially right after the AC is off.*****

I read some where that you would need a pry bar to get tension on the belts once they are on while tighten the bolts. I wouldn't think it could be this difficult.
I am thinking just loosen the mounting bolts and the turn the adjusting bolts until the belts are tight then tighten the mounting bolts right?

Please tell me the best way b/c the manual I got is useless.

Thanks.

lazlong

Someone will certainly correct me if I'm wrong but, I think there should be 1/8 inch deflection on the belts when tightened.

Bad_dude

So any one, the steps I need to do to adjust the tension on the alternator belt? Do I loosen the upper bolt, then alternator bolt, then turn the adjustment bolt to adjust the tension then tighten the upper and alternator bolt? For adjustment, do I turn clockwise or counterclockwise?
My manual says:
1) Loosen the upper through bolt and alternator nut.
2) Move the alternator to obtain the proper belt tension, then retighten the alternator nut and upper through bolt.
3) recehcek the deflection of the belt.
4) After adjusting, if necessary, adjust the P/S pump belt.

The confusing part is step 2. How do you move the alternator to obtain the proper belt tension? By the adjusting bolt or manually using the pry bar to pry it up then tighten? That would be too hard by yourself.
There's another bolt of the same size right next to the adjusting bolt. What does that bolt do?

Thanks,

OldMrAccord

One hand pushes the pry bar, the other runs the wrench. It's not too bad by yourself. Check belt deflection afterwards. Acceptable deflection on an alternator belt is usually around 3/8", I don't know the exact spec for '90 models.

92civlude

Use the adjusting nut to achieve tension. NOT the prybar

Bad_dude

Do you turn it clockwise or counterclockwise to increase tension?
Thanks.

dpetro1

does the alternator have a tension nut? i know both my civics didn't

Bad_dude

Yes. Right below and in front of the alternator. Your civics probably has the auto tensioners. What year are your cars?

92civlude

Righty tighty, Lefty loosy.
ie. Clockwise to tighten.

dpetro1

92 and 94 but the bays are completely different than accords. i'll have to take a peak at my sisters f22b2 and see how its setup. i know for sure there is no tension nut on the civics

holmesnmanny

It's very very easy. You loosen the two mounting bolts/nuts then simply tighten the adjusting bolt which essentially is attached to the lower mounting bolt and simply draws the alternator away from the head, thereby tightening the tension.

Bad_dude

Hi guys,
If I just want to change the belts out, do I need to remove the PS pump and lay it on the side or could I just loosen both components and slip the belts on?
Thanks.

dpetro1

once you take the tension off the belts you should be able to slip them off. you should not have to remove each component entirely.

Bad_dude

I have not done this for 3 years but the bottom drive pulley to the alternator is tight to the side wall of the engine bay. Without having to get under, what is another best way to get the belt under and over that pulley? Long screwdriver?
Thanks.