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broken belt...again 1995 3.0 L

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pfd843

New member
howdy all. got a dilemma, hope someone can help. i have a 1995 3.0 lx alpha 1 gen 2. i went out today and after about 1 hour my alternator belt snapped. it started sqweaking before it went, right before we got back to the trailer. the belt that broke was replaced early last season. i noticed that belt looks skinny, width wise. the cogs still look new. this boat has always had a sqweaky belt problem since i've had it, about 3 years. i did notice that when it is sqweaking the volt meter runs on the low side of 12 volts. as the noise stops the guage reads higher. it will also sqweak when i use a high draw electronic, like trim motor or amp on stereo. i do have 2 batterys. i had the alternator rebuilt about 2 years ago, by a reputable shop. any ideas? please help.
 
Re: broken belt...again

Measure the belt pulley width wise and go to napa with the old belt and measurements. Do the pulleys have built up rust in them? This could grind down the belt width. Also look for belt dust. This would be signs of slippage or grinding. Also sounds like the belt is loose. Check for pully alignment with a straigt edge if you can.
 
Re: broken belt...again

Take the alternator to auto zone they will load test it. Could be freezing up for a second or 2. If all lines up correctly, then that could be your problem.
 
Re: broken belt...again

You say that the belt looks Skinny, and the pulleys new?

The Belts have to match the Pulleys, and the proper belt to pulley profile is where the sides on the belt is running up on the sides of the pulley.

If the belt is touching the bottom of the pulley, and not the sides, then it is time for replacement.

You have to remember that a correctly running Alternator takes about 30 HP out of the engine to drive it. That is why belts are tight.

Bruce.
 
Re: broken belt...again

Disclaimer: Im drunk right now.

To summarize it, you most likely have one of 2 problems.
Scenario 1: you have a belt/pulley issue
such as: pulleys not aligned
rust or ruff pulleys
loose belt
wrong belt
Scenario 2: yer alternator is f dup and is causing the belt to wear out

1. Look at yer pulleys
2. Spin yer alternator by hand, is it smooth?

Also yer 3.0 only has 1 belt right? Does the water pump spin smoothly?

Bacardi and coke w lime. Weeeeee!
 
Re: broken belt...again

thanks for the replies. her's what i got. i went ot autozone, they couldnt test it because the "computerized tester" isnt set up for marine alternators. they had no way to cross the numbers blah blah blah. the belt was running to far down in the pulley. using the broken belt as a guide, we matched the length and found a belt that runs where its supposed to. going to try to install tomorrow. hope it corrects this issue.
 
Re: broken belt...again

me too hope it corrects the issue but that pure bull don't know what they are talking about, it's exactly the same as a auto one but with a few screens that a auto one doesn't have.
 
Re: broken belt...again

one more thing how many dollars have you spent on belts. This is the 3rd one so far?

Check out DB electrical they are on ebay also, got my new alternator from them after my 3rd belt went. No one beats there prices i lost count really how many things i bought from them.
 
Re: broken belt...again

thanks chiefalen. i'll check them out. i think i'm on the third belt, cant remember. my alternator is a mando, that they said didnt cross with anything. i figured it was bs, but i'm no expert. i'm going to put the alternator and new belt on thursday, hopefully. i guess i'll see what happens.
 
Re: broken belt...again

I dont think the Mando does cross with anything auto.. i clean my pulleys with 3M scratch pads
 
Re: broken belt...again

One suggestion I tell everyone with a 4 cylinder motor.

Buy two belts and install one but also get the second in there and tie it off at the base of the engine mount incase you break another you wont be stranded and you will be able to get the new one on right away.......
 
Re: broken belt...again

Yep my third belt i had wrapped around the front mount with ties.

10 minutes i had the other one on, thats when i saw the alternator freezing up a second or 2.

With the motor running in the bright sunlight, didn't see it happen in the shade by my house, was kicking myself for a week cause what i spent in belts would have bought me the alternator.
 
Re: broken belt...again

DB starter and alternator just like chiefalan said. I just rebuilt my engine and got my starter and Alt from them. Great prices!!!!! Less then half of what a re-builder wanted. They are the only place I will get my stuff from now. Just as long as you can wait a week to get it without pay more for shipping.
http://www.dbelectrical.com/
 
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