Auxiliary belt problem

Nodge68 said:

Got any pictures or videos?
Rapid belt damage only occurs if the belt is running out of alignment, far too tight, or taking excessive load from a failing alternator for example.

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Think his problem started when a new alternator was fitted.

tomcat59alan said:

Think his problem started when a new alternator was fitted.

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That or the new aircon pump.

Grrrrrr said:

That or the new aircon pump.

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Just reread and he had both.

tomcat59alan said:

Just reread and he had both.

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Potentially a link there then.

Years ago I went to a breakdown, where the driver of a sports car had called the breakdown company due to a burning smell from the engine bay.
When I got there, I noticed the alternator and front of the engine was covered in black dust. When the engine was running at 2000 RPM or more, there was visible smoke and dust coming off the drive belt. On closer investigation, the alternator pulley was burning hot. So the alternator seemed to be putting far to much load on the belt, which smoked and disintegrated as a result.

What exact belt are you using?

Hello had new alternator, new ac unit new crankshaft pulley, replaced idlers and tensioners more than ounce they now say it is wobble in the crank ? Last belt ran for 6 hours on idle then walked off , all parts genuine LR.

That's very odd, and unlikely to be the crank pulley, unless you can see an issue with it.

Is the belt simply getting hot and coming off, or are the ribs wearing down, allowing it to come off?

It seems to walk of and strip the belt a rib at a time ? Engine is running perfect no noises that should not be there , it will run for a few hours on idle then suddenly shed the belt , do not know what to think anymore , they seem baffled by it and think a new engine is the way to go ,, ?

Oftenlad said:

It seems to walk of and strip the belt a rib at a time ? Engine is running perfect no noises that should not be there , it will run for a few hours on idle then suddenly shed the belt , do not know what to think anymore , they seem baffled by it and think a new engine is the way to go ,, ?

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I bet they do.

A new engine sounds a bit drastic

How can it be new engine all the belt stuff is at the front outside unless its the crank thrust washers that have gone and the crank is floating back and forth, but that is easy to check with a pry bar.

Yeah I know , but the place been doing all the work have run out off things to change , and are not wanting to change the engine themselves, more or less said there is nothing more they can try ?
I may try to get someone else to take a look if I can find anyone willing to take it on.
Second opinion, new set of eyes May just see what’s wrong.
Only thing haven’t changed is power steering pump?

Oftenlad said:

Yeah I know , but the place been doing all the work have run out off things to change , and are not wanting to change the engine themselves, more or less said there is nothing more they can try ?
I may try to get someone else to take a look if I can find anyone willing to take it on.
Second opinion, new set of eyes May just see what’s wrong.
Only thing haven’t changed is power steering pump?

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Why was the alternator changed, and did the belt issue start after that?

Two year ago the alternator failed. As it was a big job to get at it they changed all the pulleys and idlers , few weeks later began squealing on start up , so changed a pulley and belt , few weeks later chirping again , this went on for around 15 months had four belts and various other tensioners and idlers . Then last October shredded a belt new one fitted lasted four weeks next one six to seven weeks from then it’s been shredding belts within 20 miles all genuine parts.

Oftenlad said:

Two year ago the alternator failed. As it was a big job to get at it they changed all the pulleys and idlers , few weeks later began squealing on start up , so changed a pulley and belt , few weeks later chirping again , this went on for around 15 months had four belts and various other tensioners and idlers . Then last October shredded a belt new one fitted lasted four weeks next one six to seven weeks from then it’s been shredding belts within 20 miles all genuine parts.

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And have they tried an alternative alternator?

Hello yes had new alternator new aircon pump new crank pulley all in last six weeks.

Oftenlad said:

Hello yes had new alternator new aircon pump new crank pulley all in last six weeks.

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So that's 2 new alternators now?

Strange one. That's for certain.

Thinking about this as it is shredding the belt and coming of at the crank pulley it must be what ever is just before it or else it would come of there.
sounds like it needs a straight edge set up parallel to the crank pulley and measurements taken to all the other pulleys and not just to one point on the pulleys were the belt goes on and off to confirm alignment.

Hello yes two new alternators , I am going to get someone to have a look at it and check the crank hopefully a new set of eyes will make the difference, but this chap is busy so will be 2 to 3 weeks. I will ask him to check the alignment of the other stuff as you say, still hoping to sort this out.

Hello update on the belt problem , I took the car to someone else he had it ten days and looks like he sorted it.
Had it back now a few weeks and up to now all ok. It was as a lot of you members and I myself said , a pulley was out of line , the one near the alternator he said as he nipped it up it sprung in a few mm , he shimmed it up and it has run ok since hope it stays that way , thanks for all the advice.