Alternator Belts Breaking

[dbrewer]

I have 1996 Eclipse GST that recently developed a problem out of the blue. I first noticed the alternator belt was frayed when I inspected it for a slight squeal. I had it replaced and it ran fine (no squeals) until I got home and restarted it the next morning. It began to squeal even louder and eventually with normal driving in less than a hour, the belt broke again. At first, I thought it was a poor repair and returned it to the dealership. Again it was repaired and the next day, same result. Then, at the mechanic's suggestion, I replaced the alternator. Again, next day...same result. At the mechanic's suggestion, I replaced the harmonic balancer and again the same result. I cannot seem to keep a belt on this thing and I lost my cool with my my mechanic! Help...any suggestions or a common problem I might share with him in order to fix this problem? Thanks... Don

 

[JCMDSM]

Take a look at your pulleys and make sure they are aligned correctly. To do this simply look closely at the pulleys and see if they are all lined up. Also inspect the pulleys and make sure there are no sharp spots. My money is on a misaligned water pump pulley or sharp edge on a water pump pulley. Good luck and keep us informed--Jon

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

HMMM. Well, since the alternator, water pump and the harmonic are the only things the belt rides on and you replaced the harmonic balancer, I would look to be sure the water pump pulley was on properly and if that's the case, I would look very close at the alternator. Use Gates or good belts and keep them tight. You will have to re-tighten them a couple of times as they do stretch.

Good Luck

 

[HIGH_PSI_GST]

I am having the same problem. I have also replaced the harmonic balancer twice actually (that was a different problem). But i have been told my pullies weren't alligned OR a need a new tensioner. The last mechanic that worked on my car told me my tensioner was adjusted all the way and suggested a new one. I'm also have the same squealing problem, as well as my belts WILL NOT stay on the pullies and keep ripping off causing me hundreds of $$$ with tow fees. It's been towed 3 times due to theis problem FYI. I'll be replacing the tensioner within the week. Hopefuly that solves the problem. Ill keep you posted. Wish me luck!

 

[DSM1G90]

What I'm wondering on this issue is that the upper tightening bolt on the ALT - that uses the brass adjuster block - is upside down causing the bolt end to rub against the belt itself (I found this one out the hard way after I did the timing belts,but thankfully didn't spin the motor over to destroy the belt since it was a new GATES...), esp with a few mentioned that their tension settings are out all the way...



...something to chek into - Good luck all... DSM

 

[luv2rallye]

More possibilities: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/problem-diagnosis/262278-mysterious-squeal-belts.html and http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...n-out-water-pump-pulley-go.html#post151166499.

 

[DSM1G90]

I had the same squeal problem as mentioned in one post about the h-balancer pulley. Went out to a yard and grabbed one for 15 bucks, which looked better and that took care of my interesting squeal.

 

[No_Skillz]

More possibilities: http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/problem-diagnosis/262278-mysterious-squeal-belts.html and http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/pro...n-out-water-pump-pulley-go.html#post151166499.

Agreed, especially the second link. It's a common mistake to put on the bigger waterpump pulley backwards, which misaligns the belts slightly (ask me how I know).