Alternator belt flipped
Alternator belt flipped
What can cause this? Could it have gotten too tight? I checked it very recently and it was not too loose or too tight. On my way to work which is about a 5-6 minute drive i noticed my battery light was on and my engine was hot, I knew it was the alternator belt before looking at it, about two months ago the same belt had broke. I expected to see a hanging belt that I could just grab.. but the belt was flipped completely upside down, not broken and didn't really look stretched either. I'll be replacing the belt but I'm worried it can happen again any suggestions or answers??? it is a 1991 Nissan d21 4x4
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centralcoaster33
- Posts: 2634
- Joined: Tue Apr 05, 2005 10:41 am
- Car: 1997 Nissan 240SX #5
- Location: Central Coast, CA
Re: Alternator belt flipped
Welcome to NICO Club!
The flipping of a belt is very unusual. For it to flip without popping off, I think it has to be very tight and it has to be on pulley's that aren't in line with each other (and possibly a wrong belt size or too skinny). The belt may still be good, but you might want to replace it for peace of mind. What you need to do is get in there and inspect all the brackets around the alternator. The big one that goes to the engine block has a long bolt and if the holes got warped on either end, the alternator will sit crooked and this is what I suspect. Otherwise, check the pulley on the alternator, check your crank pulley, check the guides and sliders between. Make sure all is parallel, square, and moving smoothly. Finally, tighten the belt properly, not too tight or too loose (just tight enough to not squeal on a cold start).
Please let us know if you find anything weird in there. We'd like to know what could cause a flipped belt.
The flipping of a belt is very unusual. For it to flip without popping off, I think it has to be very tight and it has to be on pulley's that aren't in line with each other (and possibly a wrong belt size or too skinny). The belt may still be good, but you might want to replace it for peace of mind. What you need to do is get in there and inspect all the brackets around the alternator. The big one that goes to the engine block has a long bolt and if the holes got warped on either end, the alternator will sit crooked and this is what I suspect. Otherwise, check the pulley on the alternator, check your crank pulley, check the guides and sliders between. Make sure all is parallel, square, and moving smoothly. Finally, tighten the belt properly, not too tight or too loose (just tight enough to not squeal on a cold start).
Please let us know if you find anything weird in there. We'd like to know what could cause a flipped belt.