Tumble dryer belt - very old machine

[pooksahib]

Hi. My mother loves her Hotpoint Liberator DeLuxe tumble dryer. Model 1701 from the mid 70's(!). It broke for the first time ever - belt snapped. I managed to get an original part and tried to fit it but it's too loose. You have to stretch these belts a bit, yes? I got it round the drum and the motor with ease... Although I could 'work' it by hand, there was no spinning to be seen when I switched it on.

I'm wondering if I've fitted it properly. Can anyone confirm that the belt goes round the motor as per the white line in the attached pic?

Also, you can see that the dryer has a tiny belt as well as the main one. Can someone explain how this system actually works?

My thanks for any advice offered.

 

[Burnerman]

It's a bit vague to see from your illustration.....did you compare the new belt length with the old one?
There's a possibility the belt goes around the other side of that tensioner.
John

 

[pooksahib]

No, but that's a good idea, thanks. If the tensioner is the black plastic wheel on the right, I can't see how the belt might go round 'the other side'. Can you expand? Thanks!

 

[Burnerman]

I think the belt leaves the steel pulley (the one driven by the motor) and turns upwards over the top of the tensioner, rather than running on the underside as you have it here.
John

 

[jj4091]

As John says it is difficult to tell from your pic. but perhaps this might help hotpoint dryer belt installation diagram

 

[pooksahib]

Hi jj4091. It does help, in that it prompted me to look again for a fitting diagram. (I failed the first time and the Service Manual basically says 'now fit the belt...). I've just found a page about Mother's exact model:
http://www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREAD.cgi?53429
which has the attached picture. Turns out my path is wrong. Oddly, however, both the Service Manual and the lad in the above website mention two springs. Mother's machine has just the one. I hope that won't be a problem when I try again later today...

Many thanks for your input, guys.

 

[Burnerman]

Yep, that's what I meant
Isn't google amazing?
John

 

[pooksahib]

Indeed. And I'm pleased to report a successful job. Thanks again, lads.