Belt flopping

[1tyme]

Hi I'm a newb here. I own a 2002 auto. altima 2.5sl. Anyway when i bought the car a couple of months ago, it ran really smooth with the ac on. Now while at stop lights and the ac on, i can here the serpentine belt flop. When the ac is off, nothing. Smooth. Its getting annoying! So I did some searching and this one guy who seems to be on every nissan forum states "to change the alternator because the stock ones are made with some sort of resistance thingie". So I did. No change. It's a high output alt from reptuble company and I also changed the belt. Now I'm thinking it has to do with the ac compressor!!!! Anybody actually pinpointed this problem and solved it?

PLEASE HELP!!!

Thank you

[Darius]

The alternator and AC compressor will not have anything to do with a loose serpentine belt since they are in fixed positions. The serpentine belt tensioner has worn out or failed and it is no longer maintaining tension on the belt. I'm surprised it hasn't walked off and left you stranded with an overheating and undercharging car yet since it drives the water pump as well as the alternator.

Tensioner, problem solved.

[1tyme]

Well I'm guessing it has to do with the ac compressor because only when its on it starts to flop. No ac, no flop.

[Darius]

The AC compressor could have a bad bearing causing the drive side of the belt to be super tight and the opposite side of the AC pulley be slack. Like I said, look at the tensioner to see where it is located relative to where it SHOULD be. Then, turn on the AC and see how it affects the tensioner. I'm guessing it will be noticeably different.

However, it could still be the tensioner wearing out too. AC compressors are expensive, so let's start with replacing the cheapest parts first if need be.

[1tyme]

Thank you for the advice bro.

Going to try it now.

[1tyme]

OK so while car is on with the ac off, the belt and tensioner moves smoothly. When i put the ac on in park, it'll already start to vibrate the belt and tensioner, but its when the fan and ac compressor kick on with load, thats when it really starts to jump!!!!!!

Cant afford to change out things that wont fix the problem, as times are really bad right now!!!!!

HELLLPPP!!!!????

[Darius]

If you have a factory service manual, see pages EM-15 and EM-16.

It still sounds like the auto-tensioner is unable to keep the belt tensioned when load is applied to it.

[1tyme]

Picking up a manual today.

Thanks.

[Darius]

No need to buy one. They are on the internet in downloadable pdf format for FREE!!! Look up 2006 Altima FSM or something along those lines and I'm sure you'll stumble across it.

[Darius]

Ok I did some leg work:

http://www.aubreyandcharles.com/ServiceManuals/

You're welcome

[1tyme]

^^Thanks again!

[1tyme]

Ok I just finished changing out the whole tensioner assembly tonight. Hoping that this will be the end of this "flop". I'll be updating. THANKS!!!!!

[Darius]

Definitely let us know how it works out.

[1tyme]

It's been about 2 weeks now since i've changed the entire tensioner assembly. So far so good. When car is in drive and ac is on while at stop light, the tensioner holds, no flop.......YET!!!!

A new thing i've noticed is that when in drive and ac is on at stop light, the car is slightly rocking or jerking, like it wants to go when it's not supposed to????? Kind of hard to explain! Possibly be the mounts? Or could I just add an engine damper??

[Darius]

That's good to hear the belt issue has been corrected. It sounds like the AC issue might be something unrelated, but still an issue. Have you inspected the motor mounts to make sure they are not cracked or damaged? I doubt that the engine mounts or an engine damper will be needed.

[1tyme]

^^Again, Thank you bro.I haven't checked the mounts thoroughly! My car doesn't even have 50k yet!!!!!!!

[Darius]

Oh wow that Alti is just a pup! haha

How does the engine idle? Does it idle normally (in park/neutral)? Does it idle normally (in park/neutral) when the AC is energized? Or does it tend to surge (rev up and then drop repeatedly)?

[TECHLINE08]

DAMN TENSIONER. I've seen that too many times. The alternator tends to make noises and alittle belt flop on shut down caused by a worn overrunning clutch. Not another IAC actuator, for a possible idle problem.

[1tyme]

Car idles normally in park/ac on/what not. No surging. Also did a visual check at the mounts and they seem to be normal.

Now I can feel it sarting to rock slightly while in park!

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