drive belt

[centaur]

Got a brill 1990 Atlantic, 1.6 Diesel, but it keeps eating the belt that runs from the alternator down vertically to the water pump. On my fourth now within a year. Neither I nor my van guru Les can find out why. Clearances and movement seem good when compared with similar engine. Anybody had the same experience, or any poss explanation?

[Walrus]

I've got a 2.1 Petrol and mine does the same, but slowly. The belt looses a thread on its edge and eventually rips out the high pressure warning switch wire (which gave me a heart attack last summer on the way back from Cumbria).

It seems the alternator is just slightly out of alignment on its mounting which causes the belt to fray at the edges. fixing it is on my ever growing 'getting around to it' list. For the moment I just carry a few spare belts and a pair of sissors to trim it with now and again!

[centaur]

Thanks for that. That makes sense. I'll make sure the scissors are in my ever-growing tool kit. Appreciate your reply.

[Plasticman]

Yep , straight edge on the alt-pump pulleys make sure allignment is right , it doesnt have to be far out to start throwing the belt.
mike