Alternator belt on Nissan Almera N16 - a critical element on which the operation of the entire electrical system of the car depends. Its breakage or slippage will lead to battery discharge, failure of the power steering (if it is hydraulic) and even overheating of the engine due to the pump stopping. Unlike the timing belt, which is changed according to regulations, the alternator belt often fails unexpectedly - especially if the car is operated in conditions of high humidity or dust.

In this article you will find step-by-step instructions for replacing the alternator belt on Almera N16 with engines QG15DE (1.5 l) and QG18DE (1.8 l), including selection of spare parts, necessary tools and common mistakes. We will also look at how to check belt tension without a special device and what to do if a whistle appears after replacement. The information is relevant for models produced in 2000–2006, but taking into account the nuances it is also suitable for restyled versions.

When to change the alternator belt on Almera N16

The manufacturer recommends checking the condition of the belt every 15,000 km, and replacement should be carried out through 60,000 km or when visible defects appear. However, in practice, the belt life depends on the operating conditions:

  • 🔥 Cracks or delaminations - even minor damage on the inside of the belt indicates the need for replacement. Transverse cracks are especially dangerous, which can lead to breakage under load.
  • 📏 Stretching - if the belt sags and cannot be tightened using the adjusting bolt, this is a sign of worn fibers.
  • 🎵 Whistle at startup or under load - often indicates slippage due to weak tension or oil/coolant contamination.
  • 🛠️ Replacing rollers or pump - even if the belt looks normal, it is recommended to update it along with other elements of the drive system.

On Almera N16 The alternator belt also drives power steering pump (if included) and air conditioning compressor. Therefore, its breakage can lead to several problems at once. For example, if the belt comes off while driving, the power steering will first disappear, then the battery light will come on, and after 5-10 minutes the engine will begin to overheat due to the pump stopping.

⚠️ Attention: On engines QG18DE with air conditioning the belt has different size (10–15 mm longer) and a different tension pattern. Make sure you buy the right belt for your configuration!
📊 How often do you check the condition of the alternator belt?
  • Every 10,000 km
  • Only when a whistle appears
  • When changing the oil
  • Never checked

Which alternator belt to choose for Nissan Almera N16

There are many analogues of the original belt on the market. Nissan 11720-4M000 (for version without air conditioning) and Nissan 11720-4M005 (with air conditioning). Key parameters to pay attention to:

Parameter Without air conditioning With air conditioning
Length, mm 930–940 1030–1040
Width, mm 10 10
Number of ribs 5 6
Original article number 11720-4M000 11720-4M005
Popular analogues Gates 5PK935, Contitech 5PK938, Dayco 5PK937 Gates 6PK1035, Contitech 6PK1038, Dayco 6PK1037

When choosing a belt, pay attention to:

  • 📌 Material — high-quality belts are made from EPDM rubber (resistant to high temperatures and oils). Cheap neoprene analogues crack quickly.
  • 🔍 Marking — on the inside of the original belt there must be information about the manufacturer, date of manufacture and technical parameters.
  • 🛒 Completeness - some brands (for example, Gates) they sell belts together with a tension pulley, which is convenient for complete replacement.

On an Almera N16 with air conditioning, you cannot install a belt from the version without air conditioning - this will lead to excessive tension and rapid wear of the generator and pump bearings.

Tools and preparation for belt replacement

To replace the alternator belt with Nissan Almera N16 you will need:

  • 🔧 Set of open-end and spanner wrenches (10 mm, 12 mm, 14 mm).
  • 🔨 Head with a ratchet or collar (for the crankshaft pulley bolt).
  • 📏 Ruler or caliper (to check the belt deflection).
  • 🛠️ A pry bar or a special wrench for the tension roller (if your equipment includes one).
  • 🧴 WD-40 or similar penetrating lubricant (for soured bolts).

Before starting work:

  1. Place the car on flat area and secure the rear wheels with chocks.
  2. Disable negative battery terminalto avoid short circuit.
  3. If the engine is hot, let it cool - working with the tension pulley on a hot engine is dangerous.

Remove the negative terminal from the battery |

Check availability of all tools|

Clean the area around the pulleys from dirt|

Prepare a new belt and pulley (if required)|

Take a photo of the tension diagram (for reference) -->

⚠️ Attention: On some versions Almera N16 the crankshaft pulley has left-hand thread - this means that you need to unscrew it clockwise. Check this before using force!

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the alternator belt

Belt replacement process Nissan Almera N16 differs depending on the configuration. Below are universal instructions suitable for most versions.

1. Removing the old belt

If the belt is not torn, but simply requires replacement, it must be carefully removed:

  1. Loosen up generator lower bolt (key to 14 mm).
  2. Turn adjusting bolt (key to 12 mm) counterclockwise to loosen the belt tension.
  3. Slide the generator towards the cylinder block and remove the belt from the pulleys.

If the belt breaks or falls off, first check:

  • 🔄 Condition tension roller - it should rotate without play or noise.
  • 🛢️ Keep the pulleys clean - oil or dirt on them will cause the new belt to slip.

2. Installing a new belt

Before installation, compare the new belt with the old one in terms of length and number of ribs. Place it on the pulleys in the following order:

  1. Crankshaft pulley → generator pulley → pump pulley (if equipped).
  2. For versions with air conditioning: crankshaft pulley → generator pulley → compressor pulley → pump pulley.
  3. Tension the belt by turning the alternator adjusting bolt clockwise.

After installation, check the tension:

  • 📏 The belt deflection between the generator and pump pulleys should be 8–10 mm when pressed with a force of 10 kg.
  • 🔊 There should be no whistle or vibration when starting the engine.
💡

If the belt is too tight, it will lead to rapid wear of the generator and pump bearings. It’s better to under-tighten a little and then correct it than to over-tighten.

3. Checking the work

After replacement:

  1. Start the engine and let it run 5–10 minutes at idle speed.
  2. Check the voltage on the battery - it should be 13.8–14.5 V.
  3. Make sure that there is no extraneous noise (whistle, squeak) when you turn on the load (headlights, air conditioning).

Typical mistakes when replacing an alternator belt

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that lead to premature belt wear or component failure. Here are the most common:

  • ⚡ Incorrect tension - too weak leads to slipping and whistling, too strong - to destruction of the bearings.
  • 🔄 Twisting the belt — if the belt is installed in a figure eight, it will quickly wear out.
  • 🛢️ Oil or antifreeze ingress - Even a small amount of fluid on the pulleys will cause slippage.
  • 🔧 Using the wrong belt - for example, from a version without air conditioning to a car with air conditioning.
  • 🚗 Ignoring roller status - a worn tension roller can jam and break the new belt.

Another common problem is belt whistle after replacement. The reasons may be as follows:

  • 🔊 Weak tension (needs tightening).
  • 💧 Moisture ingress (after washing or rain).
  • 🛢️ Pulleys are dirty (need to be cleaned with acetone).
  • 🔄 Poor quality belt (especially cheap analogues without markings).
What to do if the belt whistles after replacement?

If the whistle only appears when you start the engine or turn on the air conditioning, there is most likely a tension problem. Try tightening the belt 1–2 mm. If the whistle is constant, check the pulleys for runout (the generator or pump pulley may be bent). In rare cases, the cause is a faulty alternator that creates excessive load.

Almera N16 alternator belt tension diagram

On Nissan Almera N16 There are two main belt tensioning schemes:

  1. Without tension roller — the tension is regulated by the displacement of the generator.
  2. With tension roller — used on versions with air conditioning.

For version without air conditioning order of bypassing pulleys:

Коленвал → Генератор → Помпа

For version with air conditioning traversal order:

Коленвал → Генератор → Компрессор кондиционера → Помпа → Натяжной ролик

The diagram below shows the correct belt placement:

If you have a version with a tension pulley, pay attention to its condition. The video should:

  • 🔄 Rotate without jamming.
  • 🔊 Do not make extraneous noise.
  • 🛠️ Have no backlash (allowable backlash is no more than 0.5 mm).
💡

On an Almera N16 with air conditioning, the alternator belt drives the compressor, so its tension should be slightly stronger than on the version without air conditioning. The optimal deflection is 6–8 mm (versus 8–10 mm for the version without air conditioning).

Frequently asked questions about replacing the alternator belt on Almera N16

Is it possible to drive with a whistling alternator belt?

In the short term, yes, but it is fraught with consequences. A whistle indicates slippage, which leads to:

  • Battery discharge (the generator does not provide sufficient charge).
  • Engine overheating (if the belt drives the pump).
  • Accelerated wear of the belt and pulleys.

It is recommended to eliminate the cause of the whistling within 1–2 days.

Which alternator belt is better to choose: original or analogue?

Original belt (Nissan 11720-4M000/005) is guaranteed to fit in size and material, but costs more. High-quality analogues (Gates, Contitech, Dayco) are often not inferior in terms of resource, but cheap brands (for example, Fenox or nameless Chinese belts) can crack after 10–15 thousand km.

If your budget is limited, choose Gates - this is the optimal ratio of price and quality.

Do I need to change the tension roller along with the belt?

Not required, but recommended if:

  • The roller makes noise or has play.
  • The car's mileage exceeds 100,000 km.
  • The roller shows signs of wear (scratches, corrosion).

The cost of the roller is low (about 500–1000 rubles), and its jamming can lead to belt breakage and more serious damage.

What should I do if, after replacing the belt, the alternator does not charge?

The reasons may be as follows:

  1. Weak belt tension (the generator does not rotate at the required speed).
  2. Generator malfunction (wear of brushes, diode bridge).
  3. Oxidation of contacts on the battery terminals or ground wire.
  4. Broken wire from the generator to the battery.

First check the belt tension and cleanliness of the contacts. If the problem remains, diagnose the generator.

Is it possible to replace the alternator belt on Almera N16 without a pit or lift?

Yes, but it's less convenient. To replace it is enough:

  1. Jack up the front right wheel and remove it (for better access).
  2. Work lying on the ground using a ratchet and extension.

The main thing is to securely fix the car so that it does not slip off the jack.