Need belt/pulley advice (VP 5.7 GXi)

[dacarter]

Just when I thought I had everything sorted and could relax for a few months of trouble free boating, my 1 year old serpentine belt started throwing off black powder everywhere. There is some rust on the PS pulley, but there also may be an alignment problem. When I put a straight edge on the PS pulley, it's about an 1/4" out of alignment with the alternator pulley. So, not sure if it's the rust or the alighment. I don't see any wear on the belt on the outer edge, so I'm leaning towards rust.

As background info, I had a dripping water pump last year that has now been replaced, but while was dripping, salt water did get sprayed around the engine compartment a bit, hence the rust.

Ideas on whether it's the rust or the alignment?

 

[BrianNJ]

I'd bet on the rust. It would be best to fix both problems, but the rust is probably easier to fix. Try one of these methods: http://m.wikihow.com/Remove-Rust-from-Metal. I'm guessing the baking soda paste would work best if you want to leave the pump on the engine. While the belt is off, make sure all of the accessories that the belt drives turn without any undue resistance.