Help with Alternator Belt

[MoombaSouthAfrica]

HI All

I have a squeaking alternator belt on my Moomba Mobius lsv 06. It is still the old v-belt. I can usually rev through the squeek but it is getting worse. My question is if there is a tensioner pulley on the alternator to tighten the belt or is it always a replacement belt. I'm in South Africa so obtaining the correct parts is always a challenge. I purchased the boat second hand and the understanding was that the belt was recently replaced. How can I go about tensioning this v-belt?

Many Thanks

[VA LSV]

No tensioner, but you should have a slotted bracket that should allow for adjustment.

[mmandley]

Once a V belt starts squeaking it is glazed over and slipping, thats what is actually causing the squeak.

You need to look at the belt and bend it V side up and see if there is cracks, if yes replace it.

Other wise you can take some emery cloth and polish the Pully its self, this will help stop the squeaking.

Lastly but you have to be careful is it might just need to be tightened a little more. Don't over tighten the alternator when pulling the belt tight or you will wear the alternator bearing out.

When tight you should be able to push the belt down 1/2 inch with your finger.

If it was my boat I would replace the belt, emery cloth the Pully.

[kaneboats]

Before the tensioner pulley became common lots of car and truck engines used a two (or sometimes three) point attachement for the alternator that included a slotted bracket and a pivot point. So, you loosen the bolt (usually at the bottom of the alternator) that allows the unit to pivot. Then, loosen the bolt in the slotted bracket that holds the unit in place with the belt tight. You adjust the position of the unit until the belt is sufficiently tight and then tighten the bolt in the slotted bracket. Then you re-tighten the pivot bolt. Run the engine to check for noise or excessive slack.

Often when a new belt was added after a few days a re-adjustment would be required after the initial stretching of the new belt. That may be what you experienced with the new belt on your LSV. The use of a tensioner pulley eliminated the need for re-tightening as the spring loaded pulley automatically tightens the belt as it stretches and as it wears. Of course, the tensioner pulleys are known to go bad too. No perfect system.

The pic below shows what the bracket looks like and you can see the bolt hole in the bottom of the alternator where the pivot bolt attaches it.

23336

[gregski]

HI All
I'm in South Africa so obtaining the correct parts is always a challenge.
If you need to replace it, the belts shouldn't have to be dealer/Moomba specific. I would take it to an auto parts store and match it up to a new one. Or check for any markings on it and then google to figure out the correct size.

[MoombaSouthAfrica]

Before the tensioner pulley became common lots of car and truck engines used a two (or sometimes three) point attachement for the alternator that included a slotted bracket and a pivot point. So, you loosen the bolt (usually at the bottom of the alternator) that allows the unit to pivot. Then, loosen the bolt in the slotted bracket that holds the unit in place with the belt tight. You adjust the position of the unit until the belt is sufficiently tight and then tighten the bolt in the slotted bracket. Then you re-tighten the pivot bolt. Run the engine to check for noise or excessive slack.

Often when a new belt was added after a few days a re-adjustment would be required after the initial stretching of the new belt. That may be what you experienced with the new belt on your LSV. The use of a tensioner pulley eliminated the need for re-tightening as the spring loaded pulley automatically tightens the belt as it stretches and as it wears. Of course, the tensioner pulleys are known to go bad too. No perfect system.

The pic below shows what the bracket looks like and you can see the bolt hole in the bottom of the alternator where the pivot bolt attaches it.

23336

Great thanks for the info, Ill give this a shot this weekend and report back

[DOCDRS]

source the number on the belt and replace it......they only last about 5 years......its 20 -30 at most