Alternator belt problem

[93corona]

I could use some advice on this problem. The last two times we took our boat out it has burned up the alternator belt. The first time I just assumed it was a worn out belt and it needed replaced but we took it out tonight and after cruising around for about a hour I opened it up to go back to the boat ramp to load it up and smoke started to come out of the engine compartment and it quit charging but up until this point it was charging. It had a new belt on it that was plenty tight so do you think the alternator has problems or can the pulleys be polished from belt slippage to where they will keep slipping or is there something else that I should check? The boat is a 1993 with a 5.8 engine. Thanks for the advice .

 

[BAYLINER185]

Re: Alternator belt problem

my 1st thought is the altenator pully is not paralel with the drive pulleys and the belt is under a lot a stress.

2 the altanator is not spinning freely on its own and causing stress on the belt.

 

[Don S]

Re: Alternator belt problem

If you have black dust all over the front of the motor, I would bet on rusty pulleys. They will eat up a belt in a hurry. The rust acts just like sand paper on the belts.
I usually just take them all off, sand them off nice and smooth and paint them with RustOLeum paint and let set for a couple of days (if possible) to cure before re-installing.

 

[maxxman04]

Re: Alternator belt problem

it is possible to have the belt TOO tight or too loose.

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Alternator belt problem

Yes, the belt can be too tight. I don't recall what the correct deflection is. If it was loose, it would squeal. But if it was loose, I don't think it would burn up. The alt. wouldn't charge the batt.

 

[93corona]

Re: Alternator belt problem

Thanks for all the help the pulley does have rough spots in it with rubber build up on it but when I went to get a new belt today the auto parts store said the belt the former owner had on it was not the correct belt and I got one to match his my mistake. He was using a industrial grade A groove belt instead of a automotive A groove which i a little wider. So I will clean up the pulleys and install new belt which should cure my problems. Thanks again.