I just changed out my alternator (55k mi) and I went to an autox and my belt jumped a groove during a run. I assumed I was retarded and installed the belt off on one pulley and it caused the problem. So, I went and bought a gatorback belt thinking I would be done with that for 50K miles again. NOPE! I just got on the gas hard and the belt jumped a grove again. It keeps jumping away from the block. Does anyone know a shortcut to see if all the pulleys are in line? I have heard use string, use a straight edge, ...

I am open for suggestions.


P.S. Gatorback belt shredded just as bad as the gates belt I had on there.

 

There is no timing for the accessory belts. It does not matter if it is off a groove or not. As long as your power steering pump is pumping, your water pump is pumping, and your A/C is compressing, you should be just fine

 

hes talking about groove, not a tooth!

 

Did you make sure the alternator was tensioned correctly?

 

also check to pulley and make sure it is not bent. That can cause it to eat up/throw belts.

 

So far...

No their isn't timing on accessory belt. As stated it is a groove not a tooth. You cant jump a tooth on a timing belt away from the block. +1 for Dan.

I did not check the tension on the alternator as it has non adjustable hard mounts. All the tension originates from the autotensioner just to the rear of the crank pulley. It has tension and is NOT locked open (no allen wrench in the holes). I wish it was that easy.

Bent pulley... I will check that. It would have to be the alternator pulley as none of the others have changed and the problem is post alternator only. but I will try to check them as well.



Just so you know... this sucks. I hate when my **** isn't working right.

 

bump

 

are you sure its the same exact alternator? and did you compare the pulleys from the old one to the new one?

 

something to check that i have seen a few times......some aftermarket alternators have a long end on them, causeing pulleys not to line up...hope that helps
keith

 

It is a mitsu alternator new from the dealership.

 

Do you remember when I was shredding belts? (serpentine) this was because when I had my cams and timing belt changed, they put the oil pump balance shaft 180 out of sync. this caused a vibration on my drivers seat bolts. at 4-4,5K RPM. this caused me to go thru 4 serpentine belts (kept jumping off). do you have any of these symptoms? any changes to the timing belt? cams? just an outside chance, but this happened to me too many times. once the shaft was put IN PHASE, I never went thru another belt. I also had an alternator go BAD BEFORE I started shredding the belts. maybe you are going down my path!!! I hope not!

Here is how my bad months started:

Alternator blew
belts kept jumping grooves, and shredding (went thru 4)
Ac bracket broke (2 seperate ones)
Alternator bracket vibrated and cracked off
Oil pan cracked

Fixed the balance shaft, no more problems.

 

I am on your path...


[shakes head in shame]


That could very well be my problem. I do have a vibration at 4k.





Here is how my bad months started:

Alternator blew - check
belts kept jumping grooves, and shredding (went thru 4) - check (2)
Ac bracket broke (2 seperate ones) - not yet
Alternator bracket vibrated and cracked off - my alternator, old one all the bolts vibrated loose.
Oil pan cracked - got an oil leak that i have not yet found

Fixed the balance shaft, no more problems. - need to check

 

Don't worry, I will stop you before anymore dammage! My AC compressor bolts "backed out" and was the initial start of things. see if they are missing. I blew a serpintine(sp) belt, and my aluminum AC tube to the compressor snapped at same time. you will need a new compressor if not careful. Remember the balance shaft will line up on the marks, even if it is out of phase 180. so it LOOKS like it is good to go, but its not. my vibrations, I felt for 4-5K miles, at the rpm 4-5,000. I could feel them thru my seat bolts, like my cell phone was going off when set on vibration. I was told "thats normal with your mods". someone even told me to go back to stock cams, because he was POSITIVE it was the cams. Once the oil pump balance shaft was back in phase, problem OVER!!!! simple fix, but pain in the a$$ for me, for all those miles/months. I will post my link over here about it.

Grab a snickers bar, its long. https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=159892

 

If you have an oil leak you can't find, and the oil pan is "wet", you probably did what I did, cracked the pan, BOLT TO BOLT!! have someone put dye in there, and put the light on it, and they will find the problem around the bolts.

 

Here is another GREAT thread, with some GREAT input from alot of good people on this site, who helped me thru the problem you might be having as well Chris. You even posted in these threads!!

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...8&page=6&pp=15