ADJUSTMENT
Excessive belt tension will cause damage to the alternator and water pump pulley bearings, while, on the other hand, loose belt tension will produce slip and premature wear on the belt. Therefore, be sure to adjust the belt tension to the proper level.
To adjust the tension on a drive belt, loosen the adjusting bolt or fixing bolt locknut on the alternator, alternator bracket or tension pulley. Then move the alternator or turn the adjusting bolt to adjust belt tension. Once the desired value is reached, secure the bolt or locknut and recheck tension.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
1.5L, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L and 2.4L Engines
Fig. Accessory V-belt routing-Mitsubishi 1.5L, 1.6L, 1.8L, 2.0L and 2.4L engines
Alternator Belt
Fig. Loosen the adjuster lock bolt . . .
Fig. . . . then remove the alternator belt from the engine
Fig. After the adjusting and fixed bolts are loosened, rotate the pump . . .
Fig. . . . then remove the power steering belt from the engine
Fig. Serpentine belt routing-Mitsubishi 3.0L engines (except 1998-00 Galant models)
Fig. Accessory V-belt routing-Mitsubishi 3.5L and 1998-00 3.0L SOHC Galant engines
ALTERNATOR AND A/C COMPRESSOR
INSPECTION
See Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Check the condition and tension of all drive belts every 12,000 miles, or at least once a year. Loose drive belts can lead to poor engine cooling and diminished alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, or emission air pump output. A belt that is too tight places a strain on the bearings in the driven component.
Fig. Fig. 1: There are typically 3 types of accessory drive belts found on vehicles today
Fig. Fig. 2: An example of a healthy drive belt
Fig. Fig. 3: Deep cracks in this belt will cause flex, building up heat that will eventually lead to belt failure
Fig. Fig. 4: The cover of this belt is worn, exposing the critical reinforcing cords to excessive wear
Fig. Fig. 5: Installing too wide a belt can result in serious belt wear and/or breakage
Replace any drive belt that is glazed, worn, cracked, or stretched to the point where correct adjustment tension is impossible. If two belts are used to drive a component, always replace both belts when replacement is necessary. After installing a new belt, run the engine for ten minutes, shut OFF the engine and recheck the belt tension. Readjust if necessary.
ADJUSTMENT
See Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10
Fig. Fig. 6: Engine belt tension chart-2.2L engines
Fig. Fig. 7: Engine belt tension chart-1987-89 2.5L engines
Fig. Fig. 8: Engine belt tension chart-2.6L engines
Fig. Fig. 9: Engine belt tension chart-1990-93 models
Fig. Fig. 10: Engine belt tension chart-1994-95 models
Two popular methods of checking drive belt adjustment are; the Belt Tension Gauge Method and the Belt Deflection Method. The former requires a special gauge and the latter requires a straight edge and scale or just a good eye for measurement. The deflection method will be used in the following belt replacement instructions. A rule of thumb for checking belt tension by the deflection method is to determine the midpoint between two pulleys of the drive belt and press down at that point with moderate thumb pressure. The belt should deflect to the measurement indicated in the following installation procedures. Adjustment is necessary if the belt is either too loose or too tight.
WARNING
A belt adjustment which is either too loose or too tight will eventually damage the accessory that belt is driving. A too loose adjustment allows free-play in the belt which could transfer a whipping motion or shock to the accessory drive pulley. Similarly, a belt which is too tight will preload the accessory bearings, leading to early failure.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
See Figure 11
Raise the front of the vehicle, support on jackstands and remove the lower splash shield if access is hampered due to space limitations when changing drive belts.
Fig. Fig. 11: Support the vehicle, then remove the lower right side splash shield for access to the drive belts
2.2L Engines
A/C COMPRESSOR DRIVE BELT
See Figures 12, 13 and 14
Fig. Fig. 12: A/C compressor drive belt adjusting points-2.2L engines
Fig. Fig. 13: Loosening the locking screws for A/C compressor drive belt removal
Fig. Fig. 14: Removing the A/C compressor drive belt from under the vehicle
Fig. Fig. 15: Alternator belt adjustment-2.2L engine
Fig. Fig. 16: Loosening the locking screw for alternator drive belt removal
If removal of the alternator belt is required, the A/C belt must first be removed.
Fig. Fig. 17: Air pump belt adjustment-2.2L engines
When servicing the air pump, use the square holes provided in the pulley to prevent camshaft rotation.
Fig. Fig. 18: Drive belt adjustment points-2.5L engines
Fig. Fig. 19: Drive belt adjustment points-2.6L engines
Fig. Using a tension gauge to measure the alternator belt tension - 1.8L engines (click image for zoom)
Fig. Fig. 6: Loosen the pivot bolt ...
Fig. Fig. 7: ... push the component inwards ...
Fig. Fig. 8: ... slip the old belt off and install a new one
Fig. Fig. 9: Pull outwards to tension the belt
Fig. Fig. 10: Belt routing on the 20R, 22R and 22R-EC engines
Fig. Fig. 11: Belt routing on the 4ME, 5ME and 5MG-E engines
Alternator
To adjust the tension of the alternator
drive belt on all models, loosen the pivot and mounting bolts on the
alternator. Using a wooden hammer handle, a broomstick or your hand,
move the alternator one way or the other until the proper tension is
achieved.
WARNING
Do not use a screwdriver or any other metal device (such as a prybar) as a lever.
Tighten the mounting bolts securely. If a new belt has been
installed, recheck the tension after about 200 miles (480 km) of
driving.
Air Conditioning Compressor
A/C compressor belt
tension can be adjusted by turning the tension adjusting bolt which is
located on the compressor tensioner bracket. Turn the bolt clockwise to
tighten the belt and counterclockwise to loosen it.
Air Pump
See Figures 12
To
adjust the tension of the air pump drive belt, loosen the adjusting
lever bolt and the pivot bolt. Move the pump in or out until the desired
tension is felt.
The tension should be checked between the air pump and the crankshaft
pulley on cars without air conditioning. On cars with A/C, the tension
should be checked between the A/C compressor and the crankshaft pulley.
Fig. Fig. 12: Moving the air pump to tension the drive belt
Power Steering Pump
Tension on the power steering
belt is adjusted by means of an idler pulley. Turn the adjusting bolt on
the idler pulley until the desired tension is felt and then retighten
the lockbolt.
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