Drivebelt

[DeTomato]

What happens if the Drivebelt snaps?

Having just seen the cracked state of mine on my Corolla I think it will need replacing quickly before it does.

I see there's a tension pulley, so is it easy to do or does it need two people so that one can lever the tension pulley clockwise whilst the other puts a new Drivebelt on?

Not sure how to do it so want to see if anyone has done this before I even attempt it

Thanks.

[oldcodger]

Hi,

Sounds like you need to get the Haynes service manual which explains that and lots of other things, well worth the money.

To change the belt is easy enough,  first make a drawing of the way the belt goes over all the pulleys.

You then place a spanner or socket etc on the tensioner arm bolt and pull it about 1/8 turn to relieve the tension and remove the belt.

However , because of the tension you need an extension bar, about 2ft+ long on the spanner as it needs a lot of force / leverage.

Also ytubes on doing it.

 

[DeTomato]

Hi, I did see a Haynes manual https://haynes.com/en-gb/toyota-corolla-petrol-diesel-02-jan-07-haynes-repair-manual but it doesn't cover the 1.8 VVTL-i Corolla.

The only Haynes manual otherwise is very basic on how to service one as here https://haynes.com/en-gb/car-manuals/toyota/corolla/2001-2004/on-demand/18vvt-i-petrol which is fairly useless for my needs.

Any ideas on where to get a manual for a 1.8 VVTL-i engine model? Thanks.

[oldcodger]

You need to update your profile to show its a 1.8  TSport  / Compressor model as those engines are a bit different .

Still the points on the Battery and Drive belt probably remain the same.

Don't know if the 1.8  has a timing belt or chain, if a belt its critical its changed at the correct time.

[DeTomato]

I'm told the 1.8 has a timing chain under the top cover. Looks like the Drive Belt is needing to be changed very soon, like this week! Just hope it doesn't snap - been driving it really carefully just in case.

[oldcodger]

It is a 20 min job , once you know what you are doing and have a spanner or socket you can get an extension on to.

If it breaks, you loose cooling and the alternator, so you have to stop or risk a overheating /seized engine.

Belts are cheap and plentiful, any garage should be able to do it quickly.