Volvo AD41 Alternator belts always loose

neversink2 · Jun-29-2009, 02:46 PM

My alternator belts are coming loose after every trip. Two trips back the belts were so loose that they cut a coolant hose under the heat exchanger and had to get towed back from Catalina. This sucks!! Has anyone had this problem?? If so, how do I fix it?

Edit - new hose and belts etc were $216 in parts. Ran 100 miles this weekend and the belts are loose again.

I don't think that any water is getting on the front of the engine, but it is possible. There was also a salt water leak some time ago which started corrosion on the pulleys. I figured it would have cleaned up by now with the continual belt tightening/replacement deal.

Thanks...

Weazel · Jun-29-2009, 03:27 PM

I'm also curious since I'm having the same problem on my merc engine.

riverplayer · Jun-29-2009, 03:36 PM

Belt tension is important for longevity. Re-adjust after a trip and you prob will pull out some stretch. And of coarse, change um out every year.

YANK N CRANK #2 · Jun-29-2009, 04:18 PM

Belt tension is important... Go to NAPA with the part numbers for the belts and get napa belts and some Gates Green line hoses to match the stock pieces... Excellent quality and not volvo expensive...

easydoesit86 · Jun-29-2009, 04:19 PM

Do you mark where your adjustor sits under tension? If it's spring loaded it may have lost the pressure to keep the belt tensioned right. I wouldn't think your belt should strench that much.

BiggestT · Jun-29-2009, 04:29 PM

Are these the double V-Belts?

If so you really need 2 people to tension those right: one prying the alternator to achieve tension and the other tightening the bolts. You need to loosen the alternator pivot bolt on top and the adjusting one on the bottom and have at it. I just did this by myself yesterday, but it's better done with 2 people (wife won't help with this). Torque those bolts down good and like others said, stay on it. Normally, mine don't loosen to the point where it's a problem.

neversink2 · Jun-29-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BiggestT

Are these the double V-Belts?

If so you really need 2 people to tension those right: one prying the alternator to achieve tension and the other tightening the bolts. You need to loosen the alternator pivot bolt on top and the adjusting one on the bottom and have at it. I just did this by myself yesterday, but it's better done with 2 people (wife won't help with this). Torque those bolts down good and like others said, stay on it. Normally, mine don't loosen to the point where it's a problem.

Yes, double V belts. We have been using about a 4ft piece of 2x4 with one person putting tension on while the other person tightens the bolts. Maybe last time was not enough tension.

easydoesit86 - Not spring loaded - I wish it were serpentine belt, but that's not the way the old ones are setup.

YANK N CRANK - thanks for the NAPA tip. The Volvo belt set is $35.

ALUMINATOR · Jun-29-2009, 08:13 PM

I am far from an expert but were they both the same size to start with? Putting that much side pressure on your alt can't be good. Maybe try them tight and then mark the hardware someplace and see what is moving. I could see a bit of stretch but this sounds like something is coming loose or slipping.

neversink2 · Jun-29-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALUMINATOR

I am far from an expert but were they both the same size to start with? Putting that much side pressure on your alt can't be good. Maybe try them tight and then mark the hardware someplace and see what is moving. I could see a bit of stretch but this sounds like something is coming loose or slipping.

Yes, new matched pair. I'll set the tension by the book this time and give marking the location a try... thanks everyone for your advice.

BiggestT · Jun-29-2009, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neversink2

Yes, new matched pair. I'll set the tension by the book this time and give marking the location a try... thanks everyone for your advice.

Check the arm that the alternator is adjusted on. I'm thinking that you've worn a groove in it that prevents it from sticking where you tighten it down and it slides down to its worn position. You may have to grind this down or even buy a new/used arm. Just a thought.

saltwaters · Jun-29-2009, 10:23 PM

Try one of these.

Alternator Belt Tightening Wrench Sealey VS097

You need some sort of mechanical leverage.

zarco · Jun-29-2009, 10:36 PM

I have another arm/bracket and pulley if you find yours to be bad.