Is the alternator easy to re-position on a Cooper S to cure drivebelt chirp ???

[angrybeats]

My drivebelt chirp has never gone away really, how do I go about moving the alternator a tad, is access easy ????

Easy job or shall I have a word with the dealer ??

[tavis1]

The alternator is bolted straight to the engine block. To change it you have to remove the front bumper cover and also undue the front engine cradle and slide it out. Not an easy task. I would take it to the dealer and have them straighten it out. After all it is still under warranty right?
Tavis1

[sjbartnik]

Quote: Originally Posted by angrybeats

My drivebelt chirp has never gone away really, how do I go about moving the alternator a tad, is access easy ????

Easy job or shall I have a word with the dealer ??

The MINI engine (and pretty much all other modern engines) do not adjust drivebelt tension by moving the affected accessory. There is one belt that drives every accessory and there is no manual tension adjustment. The tension adjustment is made by a spring-loaded belt tensioner. Generally if the tension is not correct, the tensioner needs to be replaced.

The days of separate accessory drive belts, each with their own individual adjustment, are pretty much over.

[obehave]

There have been a few posts about the alternator not being true to the belt alignment. The slight skew was causing belt squeal.