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| How do you get enough tension on the alternator belt? (Page 1/2) |
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Formula Owner
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SEP 13, 10:05 AM
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I recently replaced my alternator belt with a Gates, and, of course, it squealed right afterwards. I took it back off, cleaned it with dish washing liquid and a nylon brush (in case the pulleys were contaminated), and cleaned the pulleys with brake cleaner and paper towels. A little better, but still squealed. I tightened the belt. The squealing mostly disappeared for a day, then came back. Then I bought a belt tension gauge. The alt belt measured <30 lbs of tension. Spec is 70-140. Ah, so the belt stretched, right? So I re-tensioned it as I usually do. Same tension. OK, so it didn't stretch. I re-tensioned again, but tighter. It measured ~40. So then I tensioned it as tight as I could. I managed 50 lbs of tension. Still not up to spec, but it's been squeal-free for a day.
So how do you guys get the belts up to tension? The way I do it is with a 3/4" open-end wrench. It fits on the end of the alternator, and gives me plenty (I thought) of leverage. My concern was that my wrench tensioning setup could apply TOO much force, but apparently, it's not enough. But I don't see a better way.
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paulmckibben
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SEP 13, 10:55 AM
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Sounds like the alternator hold-down bolt may be slipping. Check the link below and go to the bottom of the page.
http://fierosails.com/belt.html
Paul McKibben
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Rsvl-Rider
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SEP 13, 11:33 AM
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I wish Rodney would manufacture these. I would buy one.
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da.slyboy
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SEP 13, 11:42 AM
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theogre
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SEP 13, 11:57 AM
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Could be the alt and/or water pump has problems and belt is squealing for overload.
Could be iffy pulley alignment.
Too tight belt is bad as or worse than too loose and belt will have problems even break to cord layer and you have a dead belt.
See my Cave, Serpent Belt------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)
The Ogre's Fiero Cave
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Cajun
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SEP 13, 12:16 PM
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As mentioned earlier, use a belt tensioner. I have a V6 and had suffered from belt squeal until I installed a tensioner.
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Patrick
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SEP 13, 01:38 PM
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| quote | Originally posted by da.slyboy:
for the V6 just solve your problem with this...
Fiero Belt Tensioner
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Best money I ever spent on a Fiero.
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ltlfrari
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SEP 13, 02:32 PM
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I have a gates belt on mine, tensioned with my own version of that gizmo mentioned and it still squeals from time to time. Ive not tried this yet but I may.
http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/134400.html
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Anything I might say is probably worth what you paid for it, so treat it accordingly!
Dave
www.ltlfrari.com
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2.5
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SEP 13, 02:40 PM
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The tensioner add on is worth it.
I also recommend only ever buying the Goodyear Gatorback now called Continental Elite belts.
http://www.thequietbelt.com/
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fierofool
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SEP 13, 03:36 PM
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Thanks 2.5. Everyone has been telling me they no longer sell the Gatorback.
Be careful about overtightening the adjustment bolt. In an effort to stop what's thought to be changing adjustment, some have overtightened the bolt and caused the adjustment slot to break. I am one of those persons that's done that in the past. Wish he'd made the bracket repair back then. I had to replace the bracket.
http://rodneydickman.com/ca...th=22&products_id=81
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