alternator belt keeps snapping

[risnerry]

ok so i replaced the belt for a first time and it snapped about after a week. so i figured i tightened it to tight. i replaced it again and this time i had someone look at it and they said it was perfectly tight. but about a week later the belt snapped again!

could it be because my alernator is offset causing the belt to rub or what could it be?

 

[Calan]

could it be because my alernator is offset causing the belt to rub or what could it be?

That could do it. What kind of belt is it? Personally, I only use Gates or Mitsu...but even a cheap belt shouldn't snap that fast.

Check the pulley alignmant, and make sure your harmonic balancer and water pump pulleys are tight. Also make sure your balancer isn't coming apart (rubber in the middle separating...it's a common problem)

 

[RayBan GST]

Check the pulley alignmant, check the balancer and water pump pulleys if they are tight.


that should fix your problem if you you have the above fixed ( do not tight it too much) just keep the belt tight only

 

[DSM1G90]

How are the bearings on the ALT? When you spin the shaft, does it spin freely, or any signs of binding up?

 

[gob4sho89]

I was having the same problem, but mine just squeals now...

 

[Calan]

Check the pulley alignmant, check the balancer and water pump pulleys if they are tight.


that should fix your problem if you you have the above fixed ( do not tight it too much) just keep the belt tight only

Why did you post the EXACT same thing I did 2 hours later? You even misspelled alignment like I did!

 

[risnerry]

How are the bearings on the ALT? When you spin the shaft, does it spin freely, or any signs of binding up?

i tried to spin it and it had kind of a hard time spinning.

 

[badabing33a]

the alternator might need replaced if the pulley is hard to turn. mine snapped last week. replaced it and it was fine. i would get a new balencer. when you put the belt on, you want to be able to push the belt down about a quarter inch. but this belt snapping seems to be common with dsms. easy fix though.

 

[pettigree]

recently my serpentine belt broke so i replaced it and now i have the loudest and longest squeel in the cold in the morning or whenever i drive my car... did i put on the belt too tight?

 

[toyotaturbo]

Well for starters.....DSM's don't have serpentine belts. Which belt are you talking about? Did you use the belt dressing that is offered with it when you buy a belt?

 

[black92_tsi_awd]

You must mean the AC belt. It's a multi-rib "serpertine" type belt. A squeal is usally a belt too loose. Check all the belts per the manual, they all have a recommended deflection when install properly. I thought I had a squealing PS belt but it ended up been the alternator. So don't assume, check them all

 

[DSM "BISH"]

i to had a squealing belt and it was only in the mornings and someimtes when it got a little water on it. i tried many differnt types of belt dressings and even did it more than once and this still would not correct the problem. all i did was adjust the alternator postions on its slide bracket making the belt tighter and it hasnt squealed a bit since. just make sure sure all u belt componets are good and tight and that should solve ## problem.

 

[treckin]

Huh, i changed the alternator recientlly, and this happend to me as well. I tighten it up and report back I suppose!

 

[jjgrizz73]

ahh yes the beauty of DSM alternator squeal. Most likely it is your alternator, the one on my 4g64 squealed no matter how much I moved it/changed the belt. I'm not really sure why this happens because the same alternator on my 4g63 now doesn't squeal at all...goodluck though

 

[chico904]

I'm going to go with the belt being loose, as it made this noise immediately after putting it on.

 

[pettigree]

yeah its ###### the altenator... it shakes really hard when it is squeeling...so maybe thats got a lot to do with it. i went to advance to by the belt and they didnt say anything about belt lube..

 

[JusMX141]

Doesn't matter what belt you use...it'll still do it once the belt wears in a bit. Look forward to tightening your alternator belt every 500 miles until it's fully stretched and worn in.

I believe it has to do with too much unsupported belt distance between the alternator and crank pulley. If it had an idler halfway, it probably wouldn't squeal.

 

[jerseydiver84]

had same problem loose belt had to tighten it from time to time as well, sucks.

 

[TSiAWD666]

An old trick I remember back from the talon digest days was sprinkling Ajax on belts to get them to roughen up a bit so there was enough friction to prevent the squealing. Never tried it personally but it always sounded like it might work. For me it's always been a case of a belt being too loose and needing either replacement or simple adjustment.

 

[jerseydiver84]

id definately check to make sure the alignment is right before i ran it again.

 

[crimsondragon]

Run a different belt.

 

[jking29]

Check your balancer and make sure it's not starting to separate. Squeeling and breaking belts are a warning sign.

 

[northendtrooper]

I had this problem too for about two weeks. Got really annoying. I got pissed and pinched the belt (with the car off) and rubbed back and forth really hard. I got some of this weird film of stuff on my fingers. Started it up and the squeal went away. Try it.

 

[Dsmj89]

Check to see if your pulleys and/or balancer are in good alignment, and check all your belts and make sure they are tight. If you still have the squeal lube the belts, if it still occurs, most likely your alt. will be taking a dump soon.

 

[Srt4RacerDave]

+1 on the alternator belt. Even if it physically feels tight, it may be loose enough to cause the squeel. Just take a 12mm wrench and tighten the tensoner bolt until the belt feels noticeably tighter. I've had this problem many times with my car. Though something may be breaking, it's more then likely just a loose belt.