Ok, so I installed the 17% Alta Pulley about 2 months ago with the recommended Napa #060539. It seemed fine until about 2 weeks ago when the belt started making a squeaking noise. I checked the belt and it looks fine and than I proceeded to the belt tensioner and realized that it was only showing half of the hole, I read that it should be the whole first hole?

I took it to my mechanic and he said the belt tensioner is probably worn out, my car has close to 60,000 miles on it. He did advise me to get a new belt just in case.

Now here is my question. I read in a post in one of the Mini forums that Napa belt #060535 should be used rather than the Alta recommended #060539 on the 17% SC Pulley. Others are saying that the belt tensioner compensates for the stock belt being used in a smaller pulley and it doesn't matter what size you use.

I am getting pretty confused and I want to order the parts soon because I also need to get my Hydraulic Mount changed. Is there anyone who installed the Alta 17% Pulley with any of the belts I brought up earlier? Which belt should I use? Thanks.

 

I've only got a 15%, but given the smaller pulley, a shorter belt makes sense. The tensioner can compensate, but if it's getting older, and the hydraulic tensioner is loosening up I wouldn't count on it 'taking up the slack.'

 

well and here's the thing. Alta says that the 15% and the 17% should use the same Napa belt #060539. I understand that the 17% isn't that much smaller than the 15% but of course that slight difference is probably a lot for a car. This is why I keep going back and forth with the belt purchase.

 

I use the 935 on a 15%, works great so far.

 

I had this sam exact problem, or have, i hav a 15% pulley, i usd the recommended belt from outmotoring, i started to get squealing and posted on here, everyone said get a smaller belt the 535 gates belt. I did this and put it on and it was a real pita might i add.

Anyways one week later and im getting the same noise, altho it does go away sooner now after driving so im assuming its my tensioner, but im contemplating just getting the tensioner stop from alta and changing t when it actually goes bad...........?

 

EIther that or maybe like th idler pulley is bad or something, it will start like right when i turn the car on, and then when i put the clutch in it will stop, and after i drive for like 5 mins it goes away wth the new belt.

I would recommend using the smaller belts, im using the one u mentioned gtting on my 15%, it was a tight fit to get it on there, but once its on it only makes sense right.

 

The NAPA 535 is the proper belt to use with either the 15/17% pullies.

The tensioner might be bad (actualy the damper is what goes bad and you can tell by all of the oil coating the shaft).
You should never let the tensioner get to the point where it is only showing half a hole. Time to get a new belt.

As long as you are going to replace the belt, and possibly the tensioner, by all means get a tensioner stop.

As for the squeaking problems, this is usually caused by a tensioner.Even debris in a pulley can cause it.

 

My damper on the tensioner doesnt seem to be leaking any il and i just changed the belt which is why i am confused as to why i here so much squeaking.

 

I just checked my damper on the tensioner. There doesn't seem to be any leaks on it. The shaft that goes in and out has slight oil residue on it but I've seen things like that leak and it's usually covered with oil and mine isn't like that.

While I was at it I checked to see how many holes are visible and right now there is NONE visible. But my car has been sitting in the garage all night so I don't know if that's normal or not.

 

Hot or cold will not effect the amount of holes showing on the tensioner.

Belt is too long, I recommend getting the proper 935 belt.

 

For 15% (and 17%, if they say so):


I only have a 15%

 

And belts will stretch with age. So checking the tensioner hole should be a routine maintenance item.
As to the squeaking, You may just have an old belt. Check for cracks and stiffness.