alternator belt shredding [Merged 6-8] shedding falling off squeal noise thrown

[marksae]

Alright.. i've gone through some hell w/ my alternator belt on my 1g. Ever since I removed my AC belt, my alternator belt has flown off 3 times, and I've shredded 2 of them. If i leave it too loose, it flies off. If I tighten it too much, the belt shreds. I'll check my pulleys to make sure they're all lined up and aren't dinged up. Will overtightening this belt cause it to shred?

As this amalgamation of threads shows, the usual causes of alternator belt troubles are:
1. Failed harmonic balancer.
2. Bent pulleys.
3. Pulleys put on backward.

 

[hun6over]

Hi, Thanks for stopping by my post.

My belts used to squeek when i first start the car when it was cold and then would go away once the car warmed up. For about two weeks now, ive noticed that my belts squeeked alot more than usual. It made my wonder if it was my belts but i just figured it was due to the moisture from the nonstop rain.

Well... I was on my way to school the other day to take a midterm when my car suddenly started shaking and losing power. I immediately pulled over, shut the car off to check under the hood and noticed that my Alternator belt had popped off the alternator. I had the car towed home then i put the Alternator belt back on. I turned the car on and noticed smoke coming from where the belts are located and smelled burnt rubber. I checked under the car and found out that one of my belts had snapped. Im not sure what this belt is called but it connects to the harmonic balancer/crank pulley. Can anyone identify this part and tell me what i need to replace to get the car running right again? Thanks in advance!

 

[16gpoweredgsx]

Looks like your a/c belt.

 

[hun6over]

If it is in fact the a/c belt, would it be ok if i drive the car?

 

[HIGHPSI4]

That is your A/C belt. You do not need it for the car to run, just for A/C operation.

 

[absolute_DSM]

Your AC belt only connects your AC to the crank, so yes, pull the rest of the belt out and drive it.

 

[16gpoweredgsx]

Yeah just make sure your crank pulley isn't cracking or split, and wobbling causing the belt to be thrown off. In the top picture by the crank pulley's top right bolt looks like a nice crack but could be the picture angle.

 

[hun6over]

Thanks guys, i got the car running. I checked the crank pulley and there were no cracks. The only damage i could see is the outer rim being a little chipped. It still makes an annoying ticking/chirping sound but ill deal with that later.

 

[50trimgsx]

my alternator belt has continuously snapped off my 98 gsx with 125 thousand miles on it. ive gotten it fixed about 3 times and they just say it was loose. i got it fixed they other day again and it still screetches when the car is warming up but not as bad! i just dontr know what could be causing it to keep coming off and screetching after ive taken it to two really good places in northern california? If anyone has had problems with their belts please let me know what i could possibly do?
thanks

 

[JMiller]

I had that problem with my alternator belt also. I fixed it by tightening the belt as much as i could and its been on and silent for the past 3000 miles

 

[Jetrosr]

Stand over top of the engine and look at the pulleys. Are they perfectly lined up? Sometimes when belt driven components are removed for other repairs, washers/spacers are lost causing one pulley to be out of alignment with the others. I have found this is usually the cause of a persistent belt squeal.

 

[50trimgsx]

what is belt ranch? Im assuming it is some kind of belt lube but I've heard that stuff isnt good to use.

 

[luv2rallye]

Stand over top of the engine and look at the pulleys. Are they perfectly lined up? Sometimes when belt driven components are removed for other repairs, washers/spacers are lost causing one pulley to be out of alignment with the others. I have found this is usually the cause of a persistent belt squeal.

Especially if the water pump pulley was put on backwards!
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...n-out-water-pump-pulley-go.html#post151166499

 

[x98awddsm]

had the same problem with my car. belt kept breaking. took it to three different shops and finally they figured out that the pulley was loose. fixed it and it never happened again

 

[Defiant]

Blown harmonic balancer.

 

[hypnoticpimp]

Check the pulley and see if the grooves on the pulleys are clean... My old deteriorating belt left peices of the tracks inside the grooves of the pulley... If you throw the new belt on with out cleaning the grooves off the pulley it will continue to snap off because the belt isn't seated well on the pulley

 

[don97cc]

My 97 gsx had the same problem. My balancer had come apart. It would turn the belts but just enough to make it squeal.

 

[50trimgsx]

Blown harmonic balancer.

the shop that fixed the belt looked at the pulleys and said they looked fine

 

[Defiant]

The shop, as is so common, has incompetents working there.

 

[ranger2339]

Could the belt be to tight? Like on te alt adjustment deal?
If not that, just check over every bolt, nut, etc. Most shops dont want to take the time to check over everything.
My belt squeeks also on start up, just a little though. It happened after I tightened my aly adjuster deal. I need to loosen it, but its way to cold out.

Josh

 

[klipschaudio]

You may have bad ground overloading the alternator at start up causing it to screech, I've had that before, make sure both ground wires are on the battery, secured and clean. See if that helps.

 

[Polyol]

I would bet it's your harmonic balancer, like Defiant said. Start the car and turn on the A/C. Watch the crank pillie, when the A/C kicks on putting a load on. Watch for the pullie to see if it moves in and out. I had the same trouble.

 

[Polyol]

I had that problem with my alternator belt also. I fixed it by tightening the belt as much as i could and its been on and silent for the past 3000 miles

If you tighten the belt too much, your going to fry your water pump.

 

[luv2rallye]

Check your harmonic balancer like this: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...lace-your-crank-pulley-harmonic-balancer.html

 

[arturo74r]

Hello you all. I was driving around today and when I was about to park I heard this strange noise and I popped up the hood and I saw a busted belt out of place. Which I believe is the A/C belt. I took it off and I also realized that the other belt (alternator) is worn out and it's about to bust. So I drove a couple of blocks back home and parked my car and logged in for helpful solutions, hehe. I just bought this car and I knew it needed belt replacements (I already did timing belt, thanks god) But I wasn't expecting these belts to bust so quickly and at the same time. After all this talk my question is, should I go and try to put new belts on by myself?? (I have a repair manual) I know a little about mechanics and I think I have the right tools, or should I take it to a maintenance shop and have them do it?

And how much would it be for labor if I bring the belts? (considering that I don't have to change any pulleys)


97 Talon Esi

 

[arturo74r]

Hello you all. I was driving around today and when I was about to park I heard this strange noise and I popped up the hood and I saw a busted belt out of place. Which I believe is the A/C belt. I took it off and I also realized that the other belt (alternator) is worn out and it's about to bust. So I drove a couple of blocks back home and parked my car and logged in for helpful solutions, hehe. I just bought this car and I knew it needed belt replacements (I already did timing belt, thanks god) But I wasn't expecting these belts to bust so quickly and at the same time. After all this talk my question is, should I go and try to put new belts on by myself?? (I have a repair manual) I know a little about mechanics and I think I have the right tools, or should I take it to a maintenance shop and have them do it?

And how much would it be for labor if I bring the belts? (considering that I don't have to change any pulleys)


97 Talon Esi