Please Help Belt Turning Inside Out

[krjohnson76]

I have a 1987 Bayliner Capri, 4 cyl 3.0L. The timing belt keeps getting thrown off and turns inside out in the process. In reading posts, I replaced the upper pulley above harmonic balancer, and checked my alternator (had extra, so replaced that too), and checked the pulley/harmonic balancer for any rust etc. The belt STILL keeps doing it. There is no adjustment on the alternator for positioning, and both other pulleys by all looks of it are completely aligned............what in the world is causing this???? It is the LAST thing for me to get this 3 year project boat in the water!!!

HELP........

 

[Philster]

Re: Please Help Belt Turning Inside Out

Triple check you are using the proper belt (might be of different width) and also check to see that is has some (required) slack (or give) in it. If it is so darn tight that it can't be pressed in a little, it could easily beat down one side of the belt and strange things can happen when it rides the pulleys the wrong way. On some setups, it can happen.

 

[krjohnson76]

Re: Please Help Belt Turning Inside Out

I appreciate the advice. I will take off the front motor mount, and put a brand new belt on (that I purchased this morning actually), and make sure I leave enough slack. I kept reading something may be misaligned, but there is no way to make absolutely sure of it, except to eyeball it, right?? The two pulleys aside from alternator, look great. I can eyeball from there to alternator, and looks fine too. No adjustments though on anything even if it WERE out of alignment.

I will replace the belt. I am just so frustrated. I have learned so much about my engine from this forum, and to be stumped by a belt is just killing me!!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Please Help Belt Turning Inside Out

I appreciate the advice. I will take off the front motor mount, and put a brand new belt on (that I purchased this morning actually), and make sure I leave enough slack. I kept reading something may be misaligned, but there is no way to make absolutely sure of it, except to eyeball it, right?? The two pulleys aside from alternator, look great. I can eyeball from there to alternator, and looks fine too. No adjustments though on anything even if it WERE out of alignment.

I will replace the belt. I am just so frustrated. I have learned so much about my engine from this forum, and to be stumped by a belt is just killing me!!

Are you using an automotive belt?

My understanding is that the O.E.M. marine belt is slightly different in shape than an equal length auto belt. If you are using an aftermarket auto belt, it may not be riding as deep in the grooves as the O.E.M. would.

Just a thought....

Happy boating!

 

[krjohnson76]

Re: Please Help Belt Turning Inside Out

VERY good advice with the string. Thanks! Will try it. Will post in morning with progress.......

 

[krjohnson76]

Fixed belt, Harmonic Balancer Pulley shaking now???

Fixed belt, Harmonic Balancer Pulley shaking now???

Okay, I did the string test, and everything was lined up. I put on the new belt, since the other one was getting frayed. The belt isn't coming off......BUT......at a higher RPM, the belt is okay, at a LOW RPM, the harmonic balancer pulley starts shaking.......but not at higher RPM, it is okay. What in the world is going on? I have a harmonic balancer puller, but I guess question is, do I need to replace? I have another one on my spare engine, but if I get it off, how do I get it back on???