So i've finally put the beta LC back together after installing a new gearbox and water pump, and the timing belt is whining. My trusty screwdriver stethoscope is showing that the whine is coming from the lower timing belt idler.



Time to pull the whole engine out to loosen the idler... sigh.



Incidentally, my radiator fan hasn't been working since i put the car back together. I did remove the air conditioning components, and from what i could see from searching this site the a/c fan and rad fan are linked. Is there a way i can get the rad fan to work without the a/c components?

 

That's weird. I can still use both of my fans and I removed my a/c system. All I do is push the a/c button and both fans kick on without a problem. Try that trick out and see if it helps any? That is my cheapo way of running both fans to help keep things cool, lol.

 

The timing belt is too tight, that's the only reason it is whining. Loosen it up little by little till the noise goes away



And as stated, you can run both without the A/C system in there

 

^Agreed. Unless your tensioner is being all kinds of weird, it's most likely too tight of a belt. I've had this problem before as well.

 

You guys are missing the FML part . . . beta swap = no room to work?

 

Ehh, that could present a small problem. Gotta love when things like this arise, not. I had to raise the passenger side of my motor to change a timing belt so I can kinda relate to his problem. Woo.

 

That's why i'm telling him to try and adjust the tensioner first, which is much more accessible than the idler. As over tightened belts are more common than a new defective idler pulley



*then again i have no idea what kinda of room is left after a swap*

 

None. There is barely room for the engine. Swapped accent owners feel free to chime in, but I seem to recall there is something like 1" or so between the engine and the rest of the car . . . and you have to beat a dent in the car to get that.

 

so i quickly ran the car this morning. i turned on the a/c switch, and the rad fan didn't turn on. to be fair though, the car was cold. spoolinshark, does the a/c switch only toggle the rad fan when the car is warm?



also just to clarify, i've only got the one fan. my accent has the little half radiator

 

Yep no room to work on the timing belt, hell I can barely change one of the normal belts, they just squeeze through. I found that my radiator fan would not turn on even if the a/c was turned on when my condenser fan was unplugged.