Charging belts slippage

[hobbes]

My '97 is making a faint noise from the front of the motor which is either coming from the belts or a pulley bearing. The Cruiser came with the Toyota belts already installed, and they don't look to be in too bad of condition and have good tension. I marked the two charging belts and ran the engine for 15 seconds or so and checked the marks on the belts after shutting off the engine. The marks no longer lined up, but were seperated by several inches. Can I safely assume it's time to stick on the new belts I have sitting in a box from CDan? I see no logical reason why the marks shouldn't stay aligned since the belts are run identically.

Thanks...

 

[landtank]

I'd get a new idler pulley. That's the pulley just below the alternator. This pulley's perpose is to compensate for differences in belt length and pulley alignment. Even though they are sold as a matched pair there is still some differences in length. As the bearing in that pulley wears it can't compensate properly and the belts won't be tentioned equally and might walk.

 

[Beowulf]

The marks no longer lined up, but were seperated by several inches. Can I safely assume it's time to stick on the new belts ...

That's normal and not a reason to put on new belts.

-B-

 

[e9999]

I checked right after putting on new belts and the same thing (slippage) happened...

of course, could have moved 1 time and then settled, may not have kept slipping forever...

E

 

[reffug]

That's normal and not a reason to put on new belts.

-B-

Well there is the definative answer to that...........

 

[hobbes]

I put some belt dressing on. The noise got worse initially, then completely went away as I drove. All of which leads me to think it's time to replace the belts. I'll put the new ones on this weekend and see what that does for me. If I have to go back for the idler pulley, it will still be easy to get to.

Thanks all.

 

[John E Davies]

It might be a good idea to buy a belt tension gage. Every belt I have set by feel turned out to be way loose when I checked with a gage. Napa sells a dandy little Krickit gage for around US$10. I use mine every time I check a belt.

http://www.arnnworx.com/krikit.htm This one is $20 but it's a Porsche website - what do you expect?

http://www.arnnworx.com/tensioning_belts.htm

John

 

[hobbes]

Thanks John. I was actually shopping for a belt tensioner today on the internet. I'll give NAPA a call. A belt tension gauge for that cheap would be more than worth the money. Always wanted one.

 

[DRTDuck]

So who knows what the tension on the three belts should be once he buys the gauge?

 

[e9999]

So who knows what the tension on the three belts should be once he buys the gauge?

well, there is the tension for the OEM SST gauge in the FSM. That one is probably worth $400.
So, you divide the tension by 40x ?

E

 

[landtank]

Belt tensioning guages are for girls. Not to dis the female sex but what happened to the old back yard mechanic who KNEW when it was set right. Come on guys, get in there and get a feel for things.

Are the 3 black Russions starting to show?

 

[cruiserdan]

I find that cross-dressing the matched belt set seems to hel..................:whoops:


Never mind

 

[sjcruiser]

New 88-132 lbf
Used 44-88 lbf

That said, I've never had any problem installing new belts by feel for the past 11 years.
Frank.

 

[DRTDuck]

SJ-

Me either except my OEM belts are 18 months old and squeaking, belt dressing takes care of it for about a day. So I think I might give in to the more precise method. Actually it's just an excuse to go to the auto parts store. "Honey, I have to go get this tool in order to fix it, otherwise it could cost hundreds at the dealer"

 

[reffug]

"Honey, I have to go get this tool in order to fix it, otherwise it could cost hundreds at the dealer"

Thought I was the only one who used this lame ass excuse...........

 

[DRTDuck]

No, works everytime. On my wife's defense, she is educated, had a wonderful career with a Fortune 100, great mom and wife. Howeve, she doesn't pay attention to car stuff at all, didn't even notice when I put the ARB on.

 

[reffug]

No, works everytime. On my wife's defense, she is educated, had a wonderful career with a Fortune 100, great mom and wife. Howeve, she doesn't pay attention to car stuff at all, didn't even notice when I put the ARB on.

Consider yourself blessed, there is no way I could slip an ARB past my wife without her noticing. Hell sometimes I can't even slip whatever # it is past her.

 

[landtank]

Before my ARB was even delivered my wife smelled the reciept that was in the glove box the day after I paid for it. That's the truth, she rarely rides in the truck and I can't remember when she's actually opened up the glove box but there she was staring at the reciept with steam rooling out of her ears.

 

[Beowulf]

>> ... my wife smelled the reciept ... <<

Nope. She has the phone line tapped.

-B-

 

[landtank]

She doesn't possess those skills. I actually bought it locally and paid cash. She smelled it.