Got that annoying squealing noise coming from under the bonnet? It's probably a loose alternator belt. Luckily, it's pretty easy to fix.
You tighten/loosen the belt by actually moving the alternator towards the engine (to tighten) or away from the engine (to loosen).
Note that the alternator belt is also the water pump belt.
We're not touching the timing belt, just getting this cover out of the way to make it easier to reach the lower bolt on the alternator. You will see a hole in the plastic shrouding where the bolt is located. Its a 7mm hex/Allen head. Loosen this off but do not remove it.
You'll see a bolt connecting the top of alternator to a bracket protruding from the side of the engine. You'll also notice this bolt is connected to a nut with teeth cut in it - ignore that for now. Loosen the bolt, but again do not remove it.
With both bolts loose the alternator should 'swing' back and forth freely. Pull (or push) the alternator towards the engine to tighten the belt. Now, here's where that 'toothed' nut comes in handy - with the belt reasonably tight you can use a spanner on the toothed nut to ratchet the alternator back a few more millimetres.
Once you're happy with the tension (a good trick is taking a section of belt between the two pulleys and seeing if the belt can twist about 90 degrees) tighten the top bolt. Then, tighten the lower bolt and replace the timing belt cover.
Turn the car on and inspect the belt to insure nothing is getting in its way.
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