New owner of a KZN130 - Belt Squeaking Noise and general questions

[alalas]

Hello All,

Just purchased a Hilux Surf (KZN130) and very happy with it!

My main question is in this thread is:
I changed the alternator and after this a squeaking noise developed, my mechanic told me that it comes from the A/C belt (previous guy replaced cylinder head and apparently got the wrong width AC belt..) he told me I can either get a new one or if I dont need the A/C at the moment I can actually cut it for the time being and remove it totally. Is that advisable, it wont affect anything else? Just want to get rid of the noise until I manage to book it in to do my first upgrades and jobs on it...

It has the usual suspension droop so just ordered the 2'' lift springs from roughtrax after reading so on this forum. Please advise me if I will need to adjust front springs also?

What can I do to improve fuel economy? Change fuel filter? Anything else?

I have the standard tyres on...do you know the tyre pressure I will need to use? Currently 32 psi.

Thanl you all in advance and sorry for my amateur questions...first time I got a 4x4 and a diesel.

Vasilis

[Koi]

Hi and welcome

Fuel econmy dont get much better than mid 20's mpg. Unless you drive it uber carefully or put it on a trailer and tow it around.

tyre pressure is about right, any harder ride will be harder, you can try less psi but watch out for uneven tyre wear and to low and the tyres will squeal around corners at any speed.

[lukenemma]

ive taken the a/c pump out all together in mine and haven't really noticed any better mpg but it's only been out a week

[Predictable Bob]

Unless you're absolutely certain of it's history the first thing to do is give it a FULL service - this may well improve your fuel consumption as well as giving you peace of mind

You might want to check the other belts tension too - just cos the mech says it's the a/c belt doesn't mean it is !

[mr.rosco]

Hello All,

Just purchased a Hilux Surf (KZN130) and very happy with it!

My main question is in this thread is:
I changed the alternator and after this a squeaking noise developed, my mechanic told me that it comes from the A/C belt

I could also be a bearing depending on the type of squeek. The a/c tensioner pulley has a bearing in it, you can get a new one on roughtrax for around a fiver.

Also I would only recomend doing the body lift if you are going to be doing a lot of off roading as it won't handle as well on road with the lift, also it will increase your insurance as it is classed as a modification.

[alalas]

Hello Gents,

Thanks a lot for your comments, greatly appreciated.
For the squeaking, I will look into the bearing issue, maybe its that.
In the meantime can I cut the A/C belt anyway, apparently I need a new one anyway because its too big (previous guy bought the wrong part).
If I actually cut the belt myself will the car still run?

Regards,

Vasilis

[lukenemma]

yes will run fine

[alalas]

yes will run fine

Hello All,

Got educated during the weekend... Stupid question of mine about the belt...
The belt is connected to the fan also...
the squeaking is mainly from a failed manifold to head gasket!! not the belts finally, so have booked it in with a new honest mechanic I found in Buxton and will take it from there.
I am having the gasket done for the noise, then looking at the belts if they indeed squeak a bit, changing fuel filter, and changing the back springs that are sagging with the 2'' uprated ones from roughtrax.
Do you think he will need to adjust the fronts when the back ones are replaced? will the uprated roughtrax ones bring it 2 '' higher than the fronts or just the normal height before the sagging problem?

Kind Regards,

Vasilios

[mr.rosco]

Hello All,

Got educated during the weekend... Stupid question of mine about the belt...
The belt is connected to the fan also...
the squeaking is mainly from a failed manifold to head gasket!! not the belts finally, so have booked it in with a new honest mechanic I found in Buxton and will take it from there.
I am having the gasket done for the noise, then looking at the belts if they indeed squeak a bit, changing fuel filter, and changing the back springs that are sagging with the 2'' uprated ones from roughtrax.
Do you think he will need to adjust the fronts when the back ones are replaced? will the uprated roughtrax ones bring it 2 '' higher than the fronts or just the normal height before the sagging problem?


Kind Regards,

Vasilios

I am not an expert on springs but through physics we know that more spring means more bounce. Therefore I would think that if you change the rear springs only then the back of the car will probably bounce around alot more than the front which would affect the handling of the car and put strain on the front shocks so you might be best changing the front ones to but I might be wrong.

If the spring are 2" uprated then this means they are 2" higher than standard Toyota ones, meaning your truck will be 2" higher than standard new springs at the rear wheel, which means you will be able to fit big fat 33.5/12.5 off road tyres at the rear but to fit them on the front you would need to raise it to.

[Sancho]

If you can find the front springs, by all means replace them. Failing that, you might want to wind the torsion bar up a little bit if it looks weird.

[StevenN]

Hi Vasilis

After all the work is done I would try and get the tracking checked.
It might save on tyre wear.

The belts should be quite tight. Do the usual check by trying to turn then 90deg.

The Air Con Bearing is a easy fix and worth doing if you plan to keep the AC working.

As per an earlier post I would get all the servicing work done including greasing and undersealing.
The Cam belt should have been done at 100k. if not its worth changing.

Check the coolant and power steering fluid also the auto box fluid.
Again easy to do and will save a lot of pain if owt goes wrong.

Milners 4x4 at Darley Dale can help with most bits but I would check with Roughtrax anyway if you have time as the tend to keep more genuine parts at a good price.

Plenty of help on here if you have any problems.

Regards

Steve.N

[alalas]

Hi Vasilis

After all the work is done I would try and get the tracking checked.
It might save on tyre wear.

The belts should be quite tight. Do the usual check by trying to turn then 90deg.

The Air Con Bearing is a easy fix and worth doing if you plan to keep the AC working.

As per an earlier post I would get all the servicing work done including greasing and undersealing.
The Cam belt should have been done at 100k. if not its worth changing.

Check the coolant and power steering fluid also the auto box fluid.
Again easy to do and will save a lot of pain if owt goes wrong.

Milners 4x4 at Darley Dale can help with most bits but I would check with Roughtrax anyway if you have time as the tend to keep more genuine parts at a good price.

Plenty of help on here if you have any problems.

Regards

Steve.N

Gents,
thanks a lot again for all your comments.very useful!i topped up gearbox,checked rest of fluids you advised.all good! I put in the uprated springs from roughtrax,feels good!tall one goes on drivers side apparently.my mechanic didnt have time to adjust the fronts,he ll do tomorrow. Just wanna know beforehand,how its done?you do each wheel seperately? Its done in stages or as much as you like?my right front arch is
cm lower.. Please advise. Bad news my turbo has failed!rare apparently in surfs?the squeak was that also,its spitting,bearing is gone.good news,i found a specialist in derby,very good lad,gave me one with 120 from 150!3 months guarantee.has loads of parts for surfs.can give you details if interested. thank you all in advance,
vasilios