Sooner or later, or rather every 50,000 km on a 16-valve VAZ-2112 engine, it is necessary to change the alternator belt. Of course, the reason for replacement is not only mileage. Not every car enthusiast knows how to replace this part, much less where it is located. Therefore, this article will tell you how to replace such an important element as the alternator belt.
Video about replacing the alternator belt on the front-wheel drive family of VAZ 2110-2112 cars:
The video material will tell you how to properly replace the alternator belt, the reasons, as well as the factors that influence this.
How to tension the alternator belt
There are times when when the car gets into a puddle, or simply when there is high humidity, the alternator belt begins to whistle.
Often the reason lies precisely in insufficient tension. Of course, to fix this problem, you just need to tighten the belt to the desired level. The tool you will need to solve this problem:
- head for 10 and 13 mm;
- ratchet handle.
So, depending on the VAZ 2110-2112 model and the installed engines, the design of the alternator belt tensioner may differ slightly. But in essence, there is not much difference and everything is done by analogy.
- So, open the hood of the car and look towards where the generator is located.
- Loosen the top nut securing the generator and use the adjusting bolt to tighten it.
Pay attention to the fact that if it is necessary to tighten the belt, the bolt must be tightened on the rod clockwise. If, on the contrary, you decide to loosen the tension, then unscrew the adjusting bolt counterclockwise.
Video instructions for tensioning or loosening the alternator belt on a VAZ 2110-2112
To show everything clearly and clarify the picture, I decided to record a short video that contains instructions in an accessible form:
First, make a few turns and try to tighten the belt, perhaps this will be enough to prevent it from squealing. And it's quite easy to check. Start the car with the lights and other electrical devices turned on as much as possible (high beams, heated rear window, heater, etc.) If at this time the whistle is not heard, then the belt is properly tensioned.
But you shouldn’t forget about the constriction, and this shouldn’t be allowed. If you hear that a strange hum suddenly begins to appear from the side of the generator, most likely due to a tightened belt, the bearing is humming, then you urgently need to loosen the tension a little until the sound goes away.
Source
Selecting a belt manufacturer
Today, choosing a manufacturer of a particular spare part can be quite difficult due to the fairly wide selection. But if we look at the statistics of many car owners and service stations, we can conclude that the highest quality belts for driving auxiliary units are:
- BRT - Balakovo Rubber Equipment, often installed from the assembly line
- GATES - often also a factory option
- Bosch - has a fairly wide range of products, including belts, and the quality is quite high
- LUZAR
- ANDYCAR
If we consider the most trouble-free belts, then according to statistics from surveys of motorists and service station technicians, we can conclude that the highest quality ones are produced by GATES and domestic BRT.
If you use another manufacturer, or want to leave your review, you can share it in the comments below.
How to tighten the Alternator Belt on a VAZ 2112
VAZ 2112 Alternator belt. Stretching and replacing the alternator belt yourself
Hello dear motorists! VAZ tenth series cars quickly spread throughout our country.
The new design, economical engine and affordable price helped expand the fans of these cars.
The designers proposed many new technical solutions that improved the performance of the cars, but some components and mechanisms were borrowed from previous models, where they had proven themselves positively.
Thus, it will not be difficult for owners of VAZ 2112 cars to stretch the alternator belt if they already belonged to earlier models of the VAZ family.
Despite widespread desire among designers to improve vehicle design, a belt drive generator remains the only feasible option for generating electricity.
Why invent something new if there are two pulleys and a belt between them. This is a simple and very reliable mechanism. Both stretching and replacing the alternator belt are easy; The drive works in any conditions.
The only negative in the process of replacing a VAZ with a 2112 is more limited in the engine compartment due to the transverse position of the engine.
VAZ 21124 Belt tension generator
The most important indicator of proper operation of the drive belt is the degree of belt tension. The engine crankshaft rotates at several thousand revolutions per minute.
In this case, sudden drops or higher speeds may occur. In such conditions, the belt drive must be very close to the working surface of the pulley, providing good traction.
Alternator belt VAZ 2112
The operation of the belt drive allows the generator to convert the mechanical energy received from the engine into electrical energy. It is for this reason that the serviceability of all generator parts, especially the drive belt and belt tensioner pulley, is especially important.
Replacement
As much as we wouldn’t like it, most of the machine’s parts have their own service life, after which they need to be replaced.
A VAZ 2112 alternator belt, provided it is of high quality and careful operation, can provide a mileage of over 100 thousand km, but it is better to replace it without tempting fate after it has served the period specified by the manufacturer.
Replacing the 2112 alternator belt is done in the following order:
the car is installed on a viewing hole, since access from below to the belt is more convenient;
after disconnecting the battery, the upper and lower nuts securing the generator are loosened;
the adjusting bolt is unscrewed and the generator moves to the engine block;
remove the old one and put on a new alternator belt.
The belt is tensioned as described above. Considering that a new belt is being installed, after a short period of use, it may stretch slightly and the tension will weaken. This can be eliminated by additionally tightening the generator drive belt to the parameters set by the manufacturer.
Selecting a belt manufacturer
Today, choosing a manufacturer of a particular spare part can be quite difficult due to the fairly wide selection. But if we look at the statistics of many car owners and service stations, we can conclude that the highest quality belts for driving auxiliary units are:
- BRT - Balakovo Rubber Equipment, often installed from the assembly line
- GATES - often also a factory option
- Bosch - has a fairly wide range of products, including belts, and the quality is quite high
- LUZAR
- ANDYCAR
If we consider the most trouble-free belts, then according to statistics from surveys of motorists and service station technicians, we can conclude that the highest quality ones are produced by GATES and domestic BRT.
If you use another manufacturer, or want to leave your review, you can share it in the comments below.
Replacing the alternator belt on a VAZ-2110, 2111 and 2112 with power steering with your own hands
It should be noted that the alternator belt plays an important role in the proper functioning of the vehicle’s on-board network, because it is it that transmits torque from the crankshaft to the alternator. The operating efficiency of the generator itself, whether the battery is fully or not fully charged, as well as the service life of the bearings of the generator itself depend on the condition and correct adjustment of the tension of the generator belt. If adjusted incorrectly, the bearings on the VAZ-2110 - 2112 generator will fail very quickly. Due to weak belt tension, its wear increases sharply; insufficient tension is usually indicated by such symptoms as belt whistling when slipping. According to the regulations, replacing the alternator belt on a VAZ-2110 - 2112 must be done at least once every 50 thousand kilometers, or if damage in the form of cracks is visually visible on the belt and a high degree of wear is observed.
So, we will tell you how to replace the alternator belt on a VAZ 2110 on your own. To make it easier for us to get to it, we tilt the reservoir with power steering fluid and the adsorber to the side, otherwise it will be inconvenient for us to get to the tension roller. Using a key set to “13”, unscrew the lock nut. We also use it to loosen the nut that clamps the “gene” to the mounting bar. After this, we move the generator in the direction of loosening the belt tension. We release the tension roller, the generator belt weakens and sags.
Since in our case we are considering a ten with power steering, we need to remove the engine from the support, this is not difficult and not scary.
We simply unscrew the two bolts securing the support and then use a hydraulic jack to raise the engine a couple of centimeters. Now we calmly pull out the old belt and immediately thread the new one, release the engine from the jack, tighten the mount and the two previously unscrewed bolts. We tighten the tension roller to the extreme position, thereby maximizing the belt tension. Then we tighten the belt as much as possible by changing the position of the generator, now we proceed to adjust the belt tension. The tension of the generator drive belt on a VAZ-2110 is checked as follows - with force, it should bend by about 10–15 mm when the belt is pressed between the generator pulley and the crankshaft. With proper tension, there should be a gap between the “frame” and the platform with the thread for the adjusting screw of about 15-20 millimeters. The arrows in the picture indicate the screws for adjusting the tension of the alternator belt.
Source
In what cases is replacement necessary?
Like any consumable material, the alternator belt has a certain resource and requires constant technical inspection. According to the recommendations of the manufacturer, on a VAZ 2112, regardless of whether there are 16 valves on the engine or 8, the consumables need to be changed after 45 thousand kilometers. But these are just recommendations; it is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of the product and change it in time. Service life depends on the following factors:
- driving habits;
- operating conditions;
- product quality.
A visual inspection of the drive components should be carried out when the car has traveled a maximum of 10 thousand kilometers and before a long trip. This will make it possible to avoid unpleasant surprises along the way - a broken belt. It is recommended to carry a spare one with you in the trunk, since if it breaks, the car will no longer be able to move on its own.
The strap needs to be changed if it is torn, stretched or becomes unusable. Poor tension can be determined by a specific whistle that occurs when the engine starts. Tension plays an important role in the operation of a belt drive. If the tension is weak, the unit does not generate the amount of electricity necessary for normal operation of the car. If it is strong, the service life of the belt, drive bearings and crankshaft is reduced.
The need for replacement can be determined by inspection based on the following signs:
- the appearance of cracks and tears;
- worn surface;
Old product with worn surface - material delamination;
- frayed edges;
- strong stretch.
It's easy to check the strap tension. It is considered normal if, with a force of 10 kg, it bends by 10-15 mm. To check it, you need to press it with your thumb approximately in the middle of the belt between the crankshaft pulley and the generator.
Tension check location (where to press)
If the deflection is greater than normal, adjust the tension or change the product.
