Anyone changed the alternator belt on a 1.3? Ours is slipping like crazy and it looks like you would need arms and fingers like pencils to get in about the pulleys for replacement. Top tips?
What are the symptoms when the belt slips? Has it been tightened or changed? My car makes a high pitch screeching sound when I start up the engine. Is this even normal? I googled and found it is likely to be due to a slipping belt.
its rare the pulley comes loose, and although the belt will initially stretch a little, by the time it has stretched or worn to the point it starts screeching its done. Just replace it. For me in the 1.3 it's about £12 for a belt and if you are not doing it yourself (you'll need a belt folk tool for access in the Copen) its about a one hour labour charge at the garage.
That's not 100% true - the belt can screech if the alignment is off as well. Spraying a small bit of water into the ribbed side of the belt will let ya know if the belt is knackered or needs alignment.
