Don Cook Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Hello Chaps, Does anyone know what the tension should be on the drive belt to a Caterham dry sump pump and how to set it correctly ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilyhands Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 It has an automatic tensioner which is borrowed from the Rover 200 aircon pump/cradle. Oily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Cook Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 Thanks Oily, Does that move the whole pump ? There’s no idler wheel or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilyhands Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Mmm, there is usually a sprung loaded idler wheel which bears on the belt, the pump is fxied in position in the cradle and the idler/tensioner is fixed to the cradle, the cradle/idler is an OEM part from Rover. Oily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxy Smith Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Don, are you talking about a Vx dry sump pump by any chance? In which case to increase tension you have to shim the mounting with washers but you have to be very careful to keep the wheels co-planar or the belt will be off as quick as a pair of tart's knickers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Walker Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Early K DS pumps were fitted witha manually adjustable idler /tensioner, simply wind the adjustment screw until you can flex the belt about 10mm on the longest run. Moving the wheel in tightens the belt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Cook Posted September 3, 2005 Author Share Posted September 3, 2005 Thanks Foxy, Yes I am talking about a VX. Do you know how to tell when you have the correct shim thicknes ? Cheers Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted September 3, 2005 Share Posted September 3, 2005 Mine was the right tension with just bolting the pump in. It sound have a little spring in the belt but not too much. It just feels right - can't explain it, one of those things. Never needed to change the spacing when reaplcing the the belt either... Which I do yearly. Hants (north) / Berkshire club here Area meeting pics here My Racing here Edited by - stevefoster on 3 Sep 2005 21:00:52 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Cook Posted September 4, 2005 Author Share Posted September 4, 2005 Thanks Steve, My belt has been on since new 97, about 5000 miles. It has very little tension, you can move the sides a tiny amount before detecting any resistance. I think I’ll follow your example of a yearly change. They can’t be more than a couple of quid each. Cheers Don. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevefoster Posted September 4, 2005 Share Posted September 4, 2005 Bit more than that, about £7 I think but the consequenses of the belt coming off are far more expensive. Hants (north) / Berkshire club here Area meeting pics here My Racing here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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