Belt deflection

[mrbeasley]

Ninty nine percent of you guys know this probably so this is for the one percent that don't.I recently had my alternator rebuilt.In the process of pre chat paying I asked about belt play.Belt deflection should just be considered step one for proper belt adjustment.The fellow recommends also running the car for about 2 minutes after placement of the belt,then shutting the car off and very carefully(BECAUSE YOU CAN BURN YOURSELF)touching the pulley,if it's very hot chances are your belt is to loose and is slipping and needs adjustment.

[docrodg]

sounds like a good way to burn yourself. Deflection needs to be checked but touching the pulley to see if it is hot sound like a bit of bs IMO. How hot indicates a loose belt vs heat from engine and correct tension heat caused by friction of the belt?

[deathpunk dan]

If it's too loose, the light will come on right?

[Targa Me]

Here's how I check belt tension:
Once the belt is mounted; at the half way point between pulleys, twist the belt; it should be only able to twist a 1/4 way, if it twist more than that its too loose; if it twist less, its too tight.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by deathpunk dan

If it's too loose, the light will come on right?

For the light to come on it has to be severely loose. It can maladjusted but gripping just enough to keep the alternator turning. Don't wait for the light to come on, check the tension.

[mrbeasley]

Originally Posted by docrodg

sounds like a good way to burn yourself. Deflection needs to be checked but touching the pulley to see if it is hot sound like a bit of bs IMO. How hot indicates a loose belt vs heat from engine and correct tension heat caused by friction of the belt?

I agree with you Docrodg it is a good way to burn yourself if your not careful.It takes a lot to warm these engines up.It's also possible I interpreted what he recommended incorrectly.There was a "fan belt" mentioned in the short instructional,I'm pretty sure of that.I will be reinstalling my alternator in the next few days and I'll give it a shot.He warned me several times about the potential danger of burning oneself so I will use caution.Regards and thanks for the input it's appreciated..

Peter

[Jim Garfield]

Originally Posted by deathpunk dan

If it's too loose, the light will come on right?

Not necessarily, I thought that my alternator bearings were going because I was hearing what sounded like rattling bearings at idle. The belt had just stretched since I last checked it, and after fooling around with the shims to get the proper deflection, the noise disappeared. I guess I have to take back my curses about the damn French alternator.

[80-911SC]

if to loose belt falls off

if to tight belt shines and will break

if just right has a the correct deflection in the belt (how much and how to push is disputed)

also looking at it while running you can see if TO loose or TO tight

[mrbeasley]

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

if to loose belt falls off

if to tight belt shines and will break

if just right has a the correct deflection in the belt (how much and how to push is disputed)

also looking at it while running you can see if TO loose or TO tight

Hi. As always I don't know what I'd do without all the great input given me here on Pelican.I was just curious how you could judge a belt was on properly by watching it run..curious

Regards, peter

[80-911SC]

if its loose it will have a distinct wobble(best descriptive) in the belt, kind of a fluter if you will

pull all shims from inside your pully and try it, you will see it

[mrbeasley]

Originally Posted by Targa Me

Here's how I check belt tension:
Once the belt is mounted; at the half way point between pulleys, twist the belt; it should be only able to twist a 1/4 way, if it twist more than that its too loose; if it twist less, its too tight.

Cool I'll try it out

Peter

[mrbeasley]

Originally Posted by 80-911SC

if its loose it will have a distinct wobble(best descriptive) in the belt, kind of a fluter if you will

pull all shims from inside your pully and try it, you will see it

Thanks for the tip.I will check for any abnormality along the belt when its in work mode.

Regards, peter

[kanadary]

in the 1/4 turn method. i assume you mean 90 degrees when you turn the belt.

[dshepp806]

Belt deflection is 5 MM.

Doyle