FCme

Hi all, my alt belt keeps snapping. Is this because the bearing in the alt is fubar or because i have it too tight ??

the alt is working fine but the pully seem's to be sticking as the the belt snaps following a burning smell

phinsup

first off are you still running the smog pump? Are you actually watching the alternator seize or are you just assuming that's what's happening?

FCme

yep still running the smog pump and no i haven't actually seen the alt seize

could it be the water pump seizing ?

phinsup

Do all of the pulleys line up? I mean there's nothing misaligned or anything is there? Have you turned all the accessories by hand to make sure nothing sticks?

FCme

whats the other accessories got to do with the alt belt ?? and nope there's nothing obstructing it

phinsup

You tell me, you mentioned the water pump I was merely asking if that stuff was spinning freely.

johnkean

Can you spin the alternator pulley when the belt is removed? Do you feel it spin smoothly or is it hard to turn?

phinsup

The only time I've ever had issues shredding belts is on a seized accessory of some sort, in this case I am referring to anything driven by a belt as an accessory, it's usually pretty obvious and it lets out a pretty good squeal before it shreds.



AS far as belts just snapping, the only time I have seen that happen, without the previously mentioned symptoms is from the belt being way over tightened. SOOO, my guess would be you are either tightening the belt way to tight or the alternator is randomly locking up, which I guess is possible.

FCme

yea it spins freely and seems to be locking up randomly

Is that the result of a bad bearing and if so can it be replaced ?

phinsup

You could rebuild the alternator, although it would probably be easiest just to replace it.