CVT Belt Adjustment - any ideas??????

[Ian Mac]

Having done a couple of thousand miles since I fitted the new Reaulands belts I thought I'd check the adjustment. As predicted they were slightly slack so I attempted to adjust them as per the book, ie; 1 to 1.5mm between the pulley halfs. Strange thing is, even with the secondary transmission slid as far back as it would go I still couldn't get a measurable gap between the pulleys even though the belts are visibly sitting 'in' the pulleys rather than at the top. The car drives ok and the revs read ok right through the range but I'm baffled as to why there is no gap between the pulleys. I managed to obtain a measurable gap when I fitted the belts but no way can I now. Any thoughts please?

Ian

[volvodspec]

what rpm do you have at 80kmh and 100kmh??

new fitted belts should be first set at 2,5mm and after 1000km or 600 miles checked, and in some cases adjusted to between 1 and 1,5mm for optimal gear profile.

after that checked every 10.000km or 600 miles.

[Ian Mac]

RPM at 80kmh is around 2800, I haven't checked at 100kmh. My main concern is the absence of a measurable gap between the pulleys even with the secondary transmission adjusted fully rearwards and the belts visibly recessed in the pulleys by around 0.5cm. Surely this suggests that the pulley halves are moving apart so why no gap?? Presumably, if the belts are recessed in the pulleys rather than sitting at the top of them I must be losing bottom gear although the car feels ok on the road.

[volvodspec]

that rpm is too good, should be little higher.

and since the belts are 0,5cm IN the pulley's, i think that you are overlooking the gap, it should be about 4/5mm now..

beware that you aren't just losing the highest gear possible, if you drive fast enough the centrifugalweights in the primary can actually rip the belts in pieces if the adjustment is way off.

[Ian Mac]

You're absolutely right of course. My only excuse is working on my back in poor light and rushing to finish before the next rain storm. I've rechecked tonight and the rather large gap was readily apparent. The belts are now adjusted correctly and everything seems to be working well with no harm done. Thanks for your help.

Ian

[volvodspec]

your welcome, hahhahaa! i was looking for the most friendly way to say that you should take a little better look

i'm glad you sorted it out, have fun!