My 97 AU Aspire

[tedxzy]

My engine makes noise. it comes at different frequency with rev. my house mate is an apprentice car mechanics. he reckon it was the belt lose. he tightened belt adjust nut and sprayed some lubricant onto belt. it has gone for a while, but it comes back again today. i will check the belt condition in next few days. i found two belts on the engine i can see. but i only found one adjust nut closer to the front end of the car. and it's very hard to touch. the gap between belts and engine bay is too small. i am learning maintenance. it's not very maintainable.

also, i want to know what is the cheapest way to lower the rear end of Aspire.

Thanks for help.

Ted

[scottxd45]

I wouldn't recommend lubricating a belt. It may make it stop squeaking but it would also make it slip so your not really fixing the problem your just covering it up. The adjustment for the alternator belt is made by loosening the upper alternator mounting bolt and rotating it toward the firewall to tighten it. If the belts are tight and still making noise you should try replacing them.

[tedxzy]

Thank you for your advise, Scott.

Is there anyone here has experience to lower festiva's rear suspension? i want to know what will be the cheaper way to do it.

Also, can anyone tell me how often do you service you festiva? 10 thousand k or 7500k?

[festymick]

10k usually. The fanatical owners will do it every 5k.
With the rear suspension, and aftermarket rear lowering spring (pair) will set you back about $130Au.
It is quite easy to change, but i have to ask- why are you thinking of lowering the rear only?

[SIBladerunner]

If it is the belt, putting lube on it usually only makes it go away for a bit. So change the belts. They can't be too expensive. As for the suspension, shop around, check everywhere you can cause some places are going to be better deals than others. It also depends on how low you want to go. Just search on line and on ebay. You never know what you'll find, and I do not recommend heating the springs or cutting them. They'll be all messed up and wont give you as much performance if you do.

[jglutz]

Belt dressing eliminates the noise...then...the noise comes back...thime for some cleaning.
Remove the belts and clean the pulleys with solvent..then clean the belt...don't be afraid to scuff the contact area or better yet change the belt if it's due.
Once belt dressing has been appied and the noise will return...it's destined to return...and...return...and...return...until the contact areas are cleaned.

[Axlander9289]

I'd clean up the pulleys and then replace the belts. Belts are cheap, at least they are in the States, and the water pump/alternator belt is vital if you want the car to move. If there's any doubt about them, replace the belts.

[tedxzy]

I am going to replace the alternator belt. i am pretty sure it's the alternator belt's problem. i sprayed some lubricant to the alternator belt again on Monday. it took one day to stop the noise( i normally drive about 30k a day). anyone here knows what is the model for 1.5L Aspire engine's alternator belt? i asked my mechanic friend to buy it, he said he need to know the length. i think i am still scaried of pull them apart or lazy, but i will do more work to my car.

for my car, i reckon the rear end is too high. i reckon all the Aspires have the same problem i see on the road. it makes the car looks very pathetic. haha. so i want to lower the rear end a bit, maybe about 5cm. i will have to start from taking my wheels off and have a look.

one of my colleage has two sets of 17inch wheels for her starlet GT turbo. i particularly like that more racing one. i want to fit them onto my car and take some photos. haha. see what happens.