Alternator/AC belt tensioning.

[perfecto951]

I replaced it about 1000 miles ago and since then i have been tightening it every few weeks. The first time i tightend it i made sure the deflection was correct. It has been doing it less and less and now it's only doing it when it is very cold and rainy at low rpm's. It's not a huge deal, and i figure it should stop completely soon. So here are my Q's:
In the cold or wet is anyone else's belt's slipping?
Over time does the belt stretch out slightly?
Is there any danger in overtightning?
How long should a fresh belt last me (properly cared for)?

-jamie

[ronin]

the belts will squeak under load if they're no tight enough and will loosen over the first few miles or so. I re-tensioned my alternator belt about twice before it finally stopped squeaking. as far as how long the belt should last, that all depends on the driving loads and environmental conditions. you'll get at least several years under moderate mileage and temperatures

[repoman]

I also retightened mine twice. Would squeal upon start-up. I'd say 5 years is a realistic life-span

[Dark Skies]

Originally posted by perfecto951
I replaced it about 1000 miles ago and since then i have been tightening it every few weeks. The first time i tightend it i made sure the deflection was correct. It has been doing it less and less and now it's only doing it when it is very cold and rainy at low rpm's. It's not a huge deal, and i figure it should stop completely soon. So here are my Q's:
In the cold or wet is anyone else's belt's slipping?
Over time does the belt stretch out slightly?
Is there any danger in overtightning?
How long should a fresh belt last me (properly cared for)?

-jamie

Bloody annoying, isn't it? I'm going through exactly the same thing right now. Porsche adjusted my new belt when they did my timing / balance belts in August. Two weeks later: "squeeeeeee ... squeeeee ..."

Took it back to be re-tightened (free of charge whilst I munched my way through their cookies, sweets and drank four delicious cappucinos ... and loaded my pockets for the road )

Two weeks later: "squeeeeeee ... squeeeee ..."

Adjusted it myself to the specified guitar string-like 5mm deflection and it wasn't long before I was hearing: "squeeeeeee ... squeeeee ..."

Thus far it's been adjusted about five times. It's pretty frosty here now and I've been keeping her in the garage. Yesterday I left her out in the afternoon until the evening and the squee came back until she warmed up (figure it was ice on the pulley). She was fine again this morning (garaged overnight) but I'm guessing I'll need to re-adjust it again soon. Wished they'd just used a V belt - never had this bother with regular belts.

Regarding overtightening - I'm assuming you're thinking along the lines of tightening it past the 5 mm deflection and letting the belt grow into it's specified tension. I'd be concerned that you might place an undue strain on the bearings within your alternator / AC.