Alternator Belt. Help!

[drownthecity]

Okay so this has been giving me a headache for weeks now. I replaced my power steering and alternator belts around a month ago (didn't change AC belt). After changing them, a few days later one began to squeak. Tightened them up as I figured they'd stretch over time. They began squeaking a day or so later after that. I hit a giant puddle of water one night when it was storming and it knocked my alternator belt off.

After putting it back on and tightening it again, it would squeak every time it was started and began making a grinding noise during idle. The next night when I started my car the belt popped right off 2 seconds after turning the key. Put it back on and tightened it up. No squeaking, but a slight scraping sound, like the belt was rubbing against something. The pitch of the scrape varied by RPM. Went outside earlier today to move my car in since it had snowed and 15 seconds after staring it, the belt had lost all tension. It was still on the pulleys but has waaaay too much give in it. The tensioning bolt is still there.

Sorry for the long post, but can anyone shed some insight?

 

[H@xtGSX]

Make sure you don't have the accessory belts on the wrong part of the dampener pulley on the crank. Check the path of the belt with your hand to make sure it isn't rubbing on anything. It also sounds like either the belt is bad and needs replacement, or the tensioner bolt is backing off and needs a second lock nut. Also check the play on the pulleys to make sure none of them are loose or have a bad bearing.

 

[juve12]

Always use OEM belts the squeaking part happen to me before and it didn't stop until I dump those belts I bought from autozone in the trash and replace with OEM ones ....

 

[drownthecity]

Always use OEM belts the squeaking part happen to me before and it didn't stop until I dump those belts I bought from autozone in the trash and replace with OEM ones ....

Yeah I figured that COULD be one problem. They're cheap ones from AutoZone..

But in terms of the crank pulley, there's an inner part and an outer part, correct? And it's supposed to go on the outer part?

 

[juve12]

Correct it's suppose to go on the outer part.

 

[drownthecity]

Could it have something to do with a bad harmonic dampener / balancer ?

 

[sidewaystsi]

Makes me wonder if one of the driven pulley items are losing a bearing.

 

[NHerron]

Could it have something to do with a bad harmonic dampener / balancer ?

Could be one problem, what I do is make a bright mark with a paint stick that runs over the rubber part of the damper. That way if the damper is about to fly apart I could tell because the marks have moved once the car is shut off.

Also try taking the belts off and tightening the 4 little 10mm bolts that holding the pulleys together to the waterpump. Reason you take the belts off is because they put pressure on the bolts and it might end up being a false tight or worse, snap a bolt head.

While the belts are loose turn the waterpump real good to feel for any bad bearing hints. Hopefully the WP isn't bad.

 

[drownthecity]

Could be one problem, what I do is make a bright mark with a paint stick that runs over the rubber part of the damper. That way if the damper is about to fly apart I could tell because the marks have moved once the car is shut off.

Also try taking the belts off and tightening the 4 little 10mm bolts that holding the pulleys together to the waterpump. Reason you take the belts off is because they put pressure on the bolts and it might end up being a false tight or worse, snap a bolt head.

While the belts are loose turn the waterpump real good to feel for any bad bearing hints. Hopefully the WP isn't bad.

Speaking of water pump, is it possible that the pulley on the water pump is slightly bent? If it is, it looks very minor but could that cause the belt to rotate off kilter and lose tension?

 

[NHerron]

Yeah it's possible but doubtful it's actually bent...I recently pulled apart our 3.9L dodge Magnum and when I got the belt off, the water pump was so shot the pulley shaft moved up and down a good 1/4". Not sure why it didn't leak at that point but wow I was surprised the belt wasn't thrown every time you went to start it.

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

Always use OEM belts the squeaking part happen to me before and it didn't stop until I dump those belts I bought from autozone in the trash and replace with OEM ones ....

Doesn't Autozone carry Dayco belts? OE supplier for Mitsubishi and others.

 

[drownthecity]

Doesn't Autozone carry Dayco belts? OE supplier for Mitsubishi and others.

They do. I'll try and pick one up tomorrow and replace the one I have on there. Make sure everything fits nice and snug. If that doesn't work then I'm not sure what the problem is.

 

[dalawoi]

Just go oem only way to go

 

[DSM1G90]

Autozone ... (gasp!)

 

[drownthecity]

I'm just going to replace with that OE spec belt tonight. That's the only explanation as to why my car makes a different noise every time I tighten the belt back.

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

I don't see whats wrong with purchasing an accessory belt that will do the same job. Just don't buy the cheapest belt they have. That I believe is the issue. Not everything they stock is crap. At least there is no waiting for the mail to arrive. You just need to know what your buying when you go into a place like that. Certain manufactures are going to be better than others. But if you buy a cheap belt, then you will get cheap results.

 

[drownthecity]

I bought the Duralast belt from there, which in turn is their cheapest I believe.

 

[ChiTownHussla]

so the dayco belt are oem? just clarifying

 

[luv2rallye]

Check if water pump pulley is on backwards:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...n-out-water-pump-pulley-go.html#post151166499

or if harmonic balancer is separating:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...pener-just-time-pics-video.html#post151424812

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

The OEM belts say Dayco on them.

 

[drownthecity]

Check if water pump pulley is on backwards:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...n-out-water-pump-pulley-go.html#post151166499

or if harmonic balancer is separating:
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...pener-just-time-pics-video.html#post151424812

I was thinking the harmonic balancer but there is a different noise every time the belt gets tightened. And last time I started the car I got to start it 3 times, all when it was cold out on a cold start and there was no squeal at all.

 

[juve12]

The OEM belts say Dayco on them.

Mine also have the Diamond stamped on it wich make me feel secure jaja....

 

[2gmitsueclipse]

Mine also have the Diamond stamped on it wich make me feel secure jaja....

You can at least take the Dayco belt back if there are issues with it. I can also check when I get the belt that it is not old stock.

 

[gieri002]

I really doubt it's the belt. Check for play in all of your pulleys, especially your harmonic dampener, I've read multiple threads with that being the cause of the belt making noise. I've also seen the power steering mount itself being bent which of course causes the belt to squeek.

 

[drownthecity]

I really doubt it's the belt. Check for play in all of your pulleys, especially your harmonic dampener, I've read multiple threads with that being the cause of the belt making noise. I've also seen the power steering mount itself being bent which of course causes the belt to squeek.

Well the problem isn't quite the belt squeaking because I do believe that was caused by the belt stretching out and becoming loose.

Turns out my harmonic dampener was the culprit. It was wobbling back and forth, that's why the belt kept popping off!

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