Belt changing

Changing Pajero accessory belts

I changed all three accessory belts (alternator / power steering / air conditioning ) myself on a petrol 3.5 V6 GDI, it took a couple of hours. Not much different to any other vehicle:

This worked for me, follow at your own risk. I chose to replace all three belts at the same time, so at least I know there were all done.

supplies:
- 50/50 coolant
- new belts
- grease
- WD40

tools:
- metric socket set and selection of 10-14mm spanners
- pliers

procedure:
- remove bashplates (4 bolts)
- loosen, disconnect and remove top radiator hose (2 clips)
- some coolant will be lost, plug the pump opening with a rag to stop any debris getting into the pump
- remove lower section of rad. shroud (unclips)
- unbolt and remove rad. shroud (4 bolts)
- carefully slide rad shroud up, past fan - without damaging rad. fins
- place some plywood or board over the radiator to protect fins
- unbolt and remove fan (4 bolts)
- clean fan and coupling, inspect for leakage damaged blades (replace fan if cracked)
- loosen tensioner pulleys (3 no.) using extension bar, alternator bolt is accessed from beneath
- write down the belt routes!
- remove old belts (3no)
- remove tensioner pulleys, inspect, clean, grease, and reinstall (see note and photo for ac pulley)

- Carefully inspect crankcase pulleys and the crankbolt (well known problem)
- install the new belts
- adjust tension pulleys (3no)
- tested by rotating longest length between pulleys should be about 90 degrees rotation
- reinstall fan, fan shroud, lower fan shroud, top hose
- top up coolant
- vent air (bolt top of thermostat housing see photo below)
- start up, checking for leaks/belt squeal adjust as needed
- after a good run re-check coolant level and bolts are tight


Air Conditioning Tension Pulley and Dustshield
Due to lousy design the ac tensioning pulley also requires a dust shield (probably because Denso provided the part and the standard mitisi 14mm nut would not fit). When I removed mine there was a huge amount of carp lodged behind it . Left to right Nut, pulley, and cleaned dust shield


Air Vent
The red arrow pointing towards the air vent plug (bolt) on top of the water pump assembly.


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