During recent head gasket change I took the opportunity to re-new all belts. The PS is now a bit "iffy" - at low speed it seems to work/then almost immediately stop working/ then work again etc. At higher speeds - 10mph+ all seems OK. No squealing from new belts and tension was set. Could this problem be that the PS belt adjustment has slipped, and under heavy load (at low speed) it's the belt itself thats slipping. Only asking in advance of removing driver's seat just in case it could be something else. Maybe the level of the PS fluid. Presumably this is reservoir under the passenger seat with two markers - hot and cold on the dip stick on the lid. Haven't checked this yet.All was OK prior to head removal.

- (#13895) gordon davies, 24 Oct 04 18:18

Yes and yes. The tension can be a bugger- you really need to put a long lever down the back of the pump to hold it in the right position as you tighten...

- (#13895) David Miller, 25 Oct 04 01:23

Sorted it this afternoon,with the help of my faithful old crow bar. Stiffer than I had imagined to hold in the right place.

- (#13895) gordon davies, 25 Oct 04 14:59

the crowbar tensioner may not be a good idea! that's how i did mine about 4 months ago. it maybe coincidence, but the bearing on the pas pump just failed. there is an article on ace answers suggesting that the belt needs the correct amount of slack to prevent this happening. just a thought...

- (#13895) eddie arrowsmith, 31 Oct 04 13:37

Quite right Eddie. Same goes for all the belts. If you check the 2C manual it gives a different tension for each of the 3 belts. I had a hell of a squeal from my aircon pump bearing after tightening too much.

- (#13895) Ian Dunse (Derbs), 1 Nov 04 01:29