34 replies to this topic

[Giant Mini]

guys, the alternator in my mini is way out of line with the fan pulley but seems to be in line with the crank pulley.
the alternator would be an easy relocation with some shims etc but it needs to go the other way.

as i look into the car, it needs to shift left and there are currently no shims shifting it to the right.

does the fan pulley move ?

[lrostoke]

check the fan, there is a large metal spacer it may have been fitted wrong.
If the crank and alternator line up it seems logical to move the fan ??

Edited by lrostoke, 08 November 2011 - 10:50 AM.

[jaydee]

You can find the correct alignment by moving the shim the alternor already have:

[lrostoke]

That spacer can't change the position of the alternator, The inner edge of the other mounting hole sits flush against the engine bracket. That spacer just moves to take up the gap on the other side.

[Giant Mini]

cheers, ill check the fan spacing.
the alternator has nowhere to go left, i can only shim it right and it needs to go left 3mm or so...

or, the fan pulley go right 3mm.

[Cooperman]

It's the fan spacer which is wrong. There are several different thicknesses. Just make sure the alternator pulley and front crank pulley both line up, then spacer the fan and fan pulley to be exactly in-line. If you don't you'll be forever fitting new fan belts.
Check the fan is on the correct way around as well.

Edited by Cooperman, 09 November 2011 - 05:56 PM.

[Giant Mini]

It's the fan spacer which is wrong. There are several different thicknesses. Just make sure the alternator pulley and front crank pulley both line up, then spacer the fan and fan pulley to be exactly in-line. If you don't you'll be forever fitting new fan belts.
Check the fan is on the correct way around as well.

will do - thanks..

I see you're in Cambridge !
anywhere near town?

[Pigeonto]

One other situation I have had twice now is that the steel bracket had its hole too far forward and that gives a strange look to the alignment of it all. I used a round file to slot the alternator mounting hole towards the engine both times to get perfectly parallel running pulleys.Very satisfying and good for belt life

[Cooperman]

It's the fan spacer which is wrong. There are several different thicknesses. Just make sure the alternator pulley and front crank pulley both line up, then spacer the fan and fan pulley to be exactly in-line. If you don't you'll be forever fitting new fan belts.
Check the fan is on the correct way around as well.

will do - thanks..

I see you're in Cambridge !
anywhere near town?

I'm in Earith, about 12 miles from Cambridge town centre. It's a nice village by the river.

[Giant Mini]

ah, im near cherry hinton.

I cant actually see any spacers on or near the fan pulley, I would have to remove the rad to get a better look or remove the fan..
any tips for removing the rad with the least loss of fluids ?

[Cooperman]

I used to drive through Cherry Hinton every morning, often in a Min i, when i worked at Marshalls Aerospace years ago. Nice village.
To get the rad out take off the top hose, undo the bottom hose where it connects to the water pump, remove the grille, remove the rad top locating bracket, remove the long bolts which locate the bottom rad bracket - they are 1/2" AF.
Lift out the rad complete with bottom hose.
Now you can see the fan, bottom pulley and alternator pulley.
Remember, only the bottom pulley is not adjustable. Get the appropriate fan spacer and fit it between pump flange and fan, making absolutely sure the fan goes back on the right way around. Align the alternator by using small 5/16" washers as needed. Re-fit the fan belt, tighten it and re-fit the radiator.
A tip if you dont have a spacer the right thickness is to make up 4 off washer packs of exactly the same thickness and use those until you can get the correct spacer. it's a short-term fix, but will get you back on the road.
it is just so important that all 3 pulleys are accurately in line.
I hope this helps.
Back to wiring up a manual switch for the electric fan on grandson's MPI now I've had my sarnie and cuppa.

[Giant Mini]

I used to drive through Cherry Hinton every morning, often in a Min i, when i worked at Marshalls Aerospace years ago. Nice village.
To get the rad out take off the top hose, undo the bottom hose where it connects to the water pump, remove the grille, remove the rad top locating bracket, remove the long bolts which locate the bottom rad bracket - they are 1/2" AF.
Lift out the rad complete with bottom hose.
Now you can see the fan, bottom pulley and alternator pulley.
Remember, only the bottom pulley is not adjustable. Get the appropriate fan spacer and fit it between pump flange and fan, making absolutely sure the fan goes back on the right way around. Align the alternator by using small 5/16" washers as needed. Re-fit the fan belt, tighten it and re-fit the radiator.
A tip if you dont have a spacer the right thickness is to make up 4 off washer packs of exactly the same thickness and use those until you can get the correct spacer. it's a short-term fix, but will get you back on the road.
it is just so important that all 3 pulleys are accurately in line.
I hope this helps.
Back to wiring up a manual switch for the electric fan on grandson's MPI now I've had my sarnie and cuppa.

thanks copperman.. big help.
i live right next to marshalls airport...

I dont suppose the fan is marked is it ?
is it supposed to draw air away from the rad or blow onto it, i suppose i can always attach it to a leccy drill or something to find out which way it blows

thanks for your help again.. my whole life ive tried not to get under the bonnet too much, its a bit of a culture shock spending all my spare time fettling the mini

[Cooperman]

Whichever way round you fit it, the fan will still 'push' the air through the rad. However, if installed correctly it pushes about 20% more air through and a lot of so-called overheating problems are down to it being on incorrectly. I even once saw a 'works' rally mechanic fiot one incorrectly - he got a lot of 'stick'.
The fan is probably marked, but in case it isn't, the fan blades increase in pitch from right to left at the top blade. As the engine rotates clockwise, it becomes fairly obvious when you look at it. in case that is not too clear, the 'convex' side of the blades are the radiator side.

Edited by Cooperman, 12 November 2011 - 03:31 PM.

[Giant Mini]

i was wrong, its the alternator pulley thats out of line, got a straight edge on the pulley wheels in turn.
so, the alternator body has no adjustment in the way i need, is the pulley removable and how ?
im hoping that there is a spacer between the pulley and the alternator body.

[Giant Mini]

right, finally got the pulley off with a blowtorch, 5/16 allen and 22mm spanner
put in a different spacer, it squeals when it starts but goes after about 30 secs..
im guessing its because the belt is already badly worn.