Alternator belt

[Fredjohn]

FYI and apologies if you knew already, but the last 3 digits of the part no. are the length in mm.
If the new and old alternator pulleys are the same diameter, then the belt length should be the same. So your string measurement should be 690mm.
Hopefully they have supplied the wrong length.
Also look at posts above yours which suggest 685mm will fit.

[dapinky]

I have also used ones with imperial measurements ('cos they came from USA, where metric isn't the 'standard').....

....either ending 270 or 274 - which corresponds to 27.0 inch or 27.4 inch.......

(yes, I KNOW that they are mixing metric and imperial by having .4 of an inch, but hey ho, that's how it works!)

[muley]

I have also used ones with imperial measurements ('cos they came from USA, where metric isn't the 'standard').....

....either ending 270 or 274 - which corresponds to 27.0 inch or 27.4 inch.......

(yes, I KNOW that they are mixing metric and imperial by having .4 of an inch, but hey ho, that's how it works!)

27.4 inches =
695.96 millimetres

Which implies Geoff's solution will be close enough.

Jim

[Tanz]

Thanks for all the replies. SJ's reckon they sent the right belt but have said they will send me a 690mm if I send the 675 back so I have posted it.
Putting string around the pulleys with the alternator in the slackest position I.e. against the engine, and the measurement came out at 690mm. So the 690mm should just fit. Can't see anything in the service notes that refers to the belt size.

[GeoffSmith]

There's quite a bit in the Wiki Phil.

[Tanz]

Thanks Geoff.
SJ's sent me the 690 belt but still too tight. Almost goes on but if I did force it on, it would be way too tight, and the alternator would be held against the engine. Have now ordered a 700mm belt.
Is the pulley on the SJ replacement alternator the same diameter as the original alternator? I only ask as it has an extra rib which isn't a problem but obviously not the same as the original. I don't have an old alternator to compare.

[Rambo]

I'm fairly sure that people who purchase the SJS replacement alternator end up putting on the original pulley wheel from their OEM alternator. This would infer that the pulley wheels are different sizes ?

Correct me if I'm wrong somebody

[Tanz]

I'm fairly sure that people who purchase the SJS replacement alternator end up putting on the original pulley wheel from their OEM alternator. This would infer that the pulley wheels are different sizes ?

Correct me if I'm wrong somebody

I think they change them because the SJ's alternator has an extra rib on the pulley. Should be 4 rib as the belt number suggests 4PK700. However the extra rib is not a problem.

[GeoffSmith]

Thinking of trying a 4PK706.

I didn't listen to Pinky either but wasn't as radical as you so I've grabbed a 4PK698 on FleaBay as it's common and used on Citroën BX & ZX, Fiat Bravo & Doplo & Punto & Siena & Strada, Lancia Y, Misubishi Eclipse & Galant, Nissan Bluebird, Peugeot 205 & 309 & 405 and Talbot Horizon. It might be a complete waste of £3.95, but I can just about live with the potential loss.

PS 6PK948 seems to be a lot more common in the UK than 6PK945 (for the PAS belt).

I can confirm that the two very common (in the UK) belts that I used fit perfectly:

4PK698 put my alternator adjustment bolt right where I wanted it.

6PK948 is good for the no A/C PAS belt.

I'll update the Wiki.

[simonbuk]

I have just fitted a new alternator from SJ's and purchased a new belt from them. The new belt is 4PK675 and won't fit around the pulleys.

Well they are still doing it !! Bought a new alternator and belt from them last year, gave it to my mechanic with a couple of other jobs. Belt wouldn't fit so he ordered a different one.

What's going on ?!

Trying to find a belt at a local motor factors but seems very difficult

[dapinky]

As previously mentioned, the 'new' alternators may or may not come with the same size pulley as the Lotus one - but whatever size pulley, it will still work (output wise) within the Elan environment.....

..... but a bigger pulley requires a longer belt.....

.... which is something that SJ's *should* be aware of, and if they are supplying a belt at the same time as an alternator, then they really ought to be checking if it is for the same car, and if so, supplying a 4PK713 instead of the 4PK675 or 4PK695.

What I suspect is happening, is that no-one is physically checking the order placed online (over the phone they would have no excuse), and they are simply packing what has been ordered, even though the two items are incompatible.

[simonbuk]

I must admit I didn't complain at the time about it - I was more pissed off with them about others things - but maybe people haven't been telling them ?

Just been to Halfords but my dream of seeing a load of belts hanging up was exactly that - apparently they haven't done that for 10/15 years

And my new find of a little Alladin s cave of a motor spares shop didn't have anything either. Well they did have a 698 I think but it was 20 quid and wasn't sure it would be ok (but looks like it might have been) so I left it.

I have got a belt coming but just impatient, I want to get some things back on the car but easier now if I change the belt

[dapinky]

I must admit I didn't complain at the time about it - I was more pissed off with them about others things - but maybe people haven't been telling them ?

They are quite aware that the alternators they supply have had problems..... some didn't work with an O2 sensor, so they then sourced their supply from the same place I get mine..... and they are aware that the pulleys come in 3 different sizes depending on what vehicle they are actually designed to fit.

It does appear that their customer service hasn't improved since my falling out with them 2 years ago, but I have no direct knowledge of that as I refuse to use them.