Squeaky belt

[billclimbs]

I have an 85 Westy. My belt is squealing (till warmed up). I'm out of room for adjustment and its still quite loose. It is the belt to the alternator. I think the pulley may be worn??. I'm wondering if anyone has tried using a shorter belt??^

[hardway]

V belts are an old technology and they wear out. Different cultures and manufacturers do things differently. The stock type of belt is supplied by Continental 10X1100. As the belts wear the V gets more narrow. This effectively makes the belt longer. You can use other belts but you are introducing other variables. My bet is that a new 10X1100 fixes it.

[Silverghost500]

You want the belt tight enough so it doesn't slip. Getting it too tight on adjustment or a different size belt can bring premature wear to the alternator and water pump bearings.
_________________
1986 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia "Von Westy"
Honda K24A converversion-Road Testing Phase
3-Speed Automatic

Von Westy YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbhyZYxJEQrUuLnMbLleeIA

[billclimbs]

Thanks againtothisgroup!! I got the continental belt. It didn't look any smaller but it fits perfectly with room for even more tightening....won't be buying any other belt again!

[dhaavers]

PLEASE buy another belt…before you need it!

(IOW: keep a spare in the van!)

- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[Wildthings]

Does your alternator shake around when the engine is running? With the engine off if you grab the alternator and shake, what happens? It should be rock solid in both tests.

[AceTaylor]

Keep your old belt and throw it under the seat. If you throw a belt you'll have a instant replacement to get you going until you can source a new replacement.

[Sharp64]

Is there a magical secret to getting/keeping the belts tight? I have been battling with the belts on my 85 Westy with AC. I swear, I tighten the belts and within a week or so they have loosened up. Can't determine if they are stretching or if the accessories are moving? I have the bolts so tight with lock washers in most cases that I cant see them loosening up. But I also cant see the belts needing to be tightened every few weeks? What am I missing?
_________________
1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[Wildthings]

Your problem could be cheap belts. I bought a Continental belt once not realizing that they apparently had more than one grade of belts. It squealed seemingly no matter how tight I tightened it, once I replaced it with something else the problem went away.

I prefer cogged V-belts as they handle small diameter pulleys better. The best belt I think I have ever had was a Dayco Top Cog that was on my 1974 Bay when I bought it. It probably lasted me a full 20 years of every day use and was removed "just cause" as it was ancient, and not because it was actually showing signs of failure. Should have just bought a spare and stowed it in the glove box, along with tools to do the swap so I could see how long the Top Cog could have actually gone.

[Sharp64]

[DanHoug]

my favorite belt that i use for both the ALT-WP and the power steering is the NAPA XL 25-7430. wears like iron, doesn't stretch. i've bought some NOS Made-in-USA but the current ones are Hecho en Mexico and seem fine quality.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Sharp64]

[DanHoug]

it's a re-branded Gates belt. you can buy the Gates too. i use this belt for both positions, it might be a tad short for the ALT one but it fits on mine and gives tons of room for tightening as it wears. nice to carry one part number for both belts, and i carry 2 of them! belt and suspenders, so to speak.
_________________
-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[Sharp64]

[E1]

[Sharp64]

How much pressure do you use? I'm a big guy, If i put my weight intonit Inam sure I could make the belts flex an inch.
_________________
1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine

[E1]

Hard to say… but just enough until resistance makes the belt feel really tight against my thumb… almost to where holding that is uncomfortable on my thumb joints.

The Continentals, at least, get tighter when hot. I suspect when belts are getting loose over time is when they’re too tight to start with.
_________________
‘84 Westy, 2.1L with Digijet, 5.43 R+P, GT Gears
"Adding power makes you faster on the straights.
Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere."
— Colin Chapman

[DanHoug]

[E1]

[Sharp64]

I do have the "improved" alternator mount from GW. Still doesnt have a tension adjuster which is what it needs.

What is weird is the alternator tends to squeel or squeel more with the AC compressor engaged which makes no sense to me. Its been cooler here so havent used the AC, that and there are other issues, so havent been using it. But when I turned the AC on, there was a squealing like a stuck pig. But it was coming from the alternator belt, it went away. Turn the AC compressor off and it went away prior to tightening it which seem antithetical. Maybe its because it slowed the engine down?
_________________
1960 Indigo Blue Ragtop (Blue Barry)
1967 Ghia
1985 Westy Money Pit
“...some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money. They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned, or negotiated with. Some men just want to watch the world burn.” - Michael Caine