Broke a new A/C belt in 2.5 months

[elum]

When I went to look under the hood as to why the Mrs. is complaining that the A/C doesn't work again... I noticed that it was off the pulleys and broke.

About 4 inches of the inner portion of the belt just broke off but the outer portion of the belt is still in tact. So it looks like someone took a bite out of the inner portion of the belt but not as to damage the outer portion.

Does anyone think that it's a manufacturer defect or did I install it too tightly?

BTW, the part was an OEM replacement from Toyota

 

[elmariachi]

It was probably too tight.

 

[cruiserdan]

Or the compressor is trying to sieze.

Look carefully all the way around the pulley on the compressor and see if you can see where the belt may have slipped in a particular spot. Also check the idler pulley. If you find something like that it is a good indicator that the compressor or idler is trying to sieze.

 

[elum]

Or the compressor is trying to sieze.

Look carefully all the way around the pulley on the compressor and see if you can see where the belt may have slipped in a particular spot. Also check the idler pulley. If you find something like that it is a good indicator that the compressor or idler is trying to sieze.

Good insight. I will check now while there's still some daylight. Thanks..

 

[SUMMIT CRUISERS]

My idler pulley somewhat locked up and caused mine to flip off. I chased a new one and it seemed like the toyota house wanted over 100.00 for a new one. So I asked myself does she really need AC in Oklahoma? Anyway I rigged up a fender washer on the end of my air powered grease gun and clamped it on the end of the pulley. Pump about 150 psi of Lucas blue grease into and all over the pulley allowing it to penetrate into the dried bearings. Spun it, felt good, installed it and its been working for about 9 months so far.

__________________________________________________________
92 FJ80 w/ 250K
75 FJ40
78 FJ40
80 FJ40

 

[cruiserdan]

The OEM A/C idler pulley is less than 30 bucks.

 

[MikeB]

A 6301-RS bearing is about $10 and takes about a minute to swap into the idler pulley.