A couple of novice belt and fluid questions

[quentin]

Hey, I have a couple novice mechanical questions on my 73se 400 charger.  First, I think I have finally traced a noise under the hood to either the fan belt, or possibly the fan clutch.  Leaning strongly toward the belt, because it definitely seems loose to me.  There's enough play that I can actually turn it over and check out the condition of the belt teeth.  However... can't see where to tighten it!

Second question - there's a fluid resevoir below the battery - kinda between the engine wall and radiator.  Tried to trace the lines, but it's cold outside and I didn't want to crawl under the car just now!  But the fluid is low.  Is this my brake fluid resevoir?

Learnin' as I go.

Thanks....

[bordin34]

The belt is probably old and has stretched and that fluid reservoir is more than likely for your power steering.

[quentin]

The belt is probably old and has stretched...

It's definitely old.  Is there no adjustment possible for the fan belt?

Thanks for the tip on the power steering.  It is a power steering car, so that's probably right...

[flyinlow]

If the waterpump belt goes around the powersteering pump you adjust the tension with the powersteering pump adjustment. It could also use an idler pulley to adjust the tension if all the belt powers is the waterpump.

If in doubt about the belt replace it and keep the one you have now it the trunk a spare. New belts stretch at first, so you need to re tighten after a few miles.

If the reservoir has a twist on cap it's your powersteering tank and should have a dipstick built into the cap. Fill to proper level with powersteering fluid.