Serpentine Belt somethings not right

**dullbird** · 23rd May 2009, 06:07 PM

Ok

So I was supposed to go off road today with Scott which I did just not in my car.

As I pulled up at the lights to turn right into maccas (the meeting point) my steering went heavy got around the corner but couldn't turn into maccas at all..

before we got there I mentioned to Ian that the engine noise had increased and sounded like the car was labouring (this was about 500meters back up the road) and I lost my taco.
any way pop the bonnet and the serpentine belt is shredded

the belt its self is still on but the reinforcing backing totally shredded.

So unable to get a belt (thanks for trying scott) we went off road as a passenger. Scott towed us home, Where we had a belt in the shed that I took off about 6 months ago when we changed the knackered idler pulley.

the reason I changed the belt was because the idlers nylon bush thing that it has in the middle had collapsed kicking the idler out to the right causing the belt to get chewed up along the edge (not much). So I changed the idler and I changed the belt....

So when we get home we get the belt out the shed.....and put it on (will do till I can get a new belt to replace it Monday/Tuesday). put it on all good start the car the belt does a couple of revolutions and starts to come off

.....So we though maybe we never put it over enough so again we go back line everything up and sure enough the belts starts to jump off again when started.

What could it be? the idler pulley is less than 6 months old....but I have commented on here before that I think it appears to bounce a fair bit but others have told me a bit of bounce is ok and theirs do it too.

I'm going to get Ian to put the belt back on and film the idler for you to see so you can tell me whether or not you think it bounces a lot becasue surely one of the main reasons for a belt jumping off would be not enough tension on it or perhaps something is out of alignment.....but looking at it we can't see what's wrong (how ever we are looking in the dark with a torch so I told Ian to leave it and tackle it after work tomorrow).

Lou

**harry** · 23rd May 2009, 06:32 PM

so maybe the tensioner jigger has had it also.
recently had cause to change a cam belt in an audi, the kit came with a new tensioner,
maybe you need to look at that.
does the factory have any reccomendations for tensioner life?
like my v8 probably needs one also.
another thing, is the crankshaft pulley tight?

**dullbird** · 23rd May 2009, 06:35 PM

Originally Posted by harry

so maybe the tensioner jigger has had it also.
recently had cause to change a cam belt in an audi, the kit came with a new tensioner,
maybe you need to look at that.

does the factory have any reccomendations for tensioner life?

like my v8 probably needs one also.
another thing, is the crankshaft pulley tight?

I don't know but would like to think any new part fitted to a car would last more than 6 months

......its a new pulley and been on less than 6 months

**PAT303** · 23rd May 2009, 06:45 PM

Did you put the tensioner on right?.It has a little lug that fits in a slot that if not lined up will cause the tensioner to lean forward.If it bounces one of the pulleys could be worn out-of-round.You are having a rough time lately Dullbird. Pat

**discowhite** · 23rd May 2009, 06:45 PM

for a serp belt to run off one of the pulleys or the idler isnt sitting square to the belt...simple as that.
ide say it was the idler and its mounting. but you also had an issue with the alternator too.

im at home all day tomorrow.

cheers phil

**Xtreme** · 23rd May 2009, 06:50 PM

IIRC there are two or maybe three idler pulleys on the 300Tdi. When you did your original repair did you replace/service all three bearings?
If not, could it be that one of these have now failed?

Your new belt should not have failed after such a short time if all was aligned and turning correctly.

I have spare bearings and a spare tensioner assembly if you need them and can't get them locally.

**dullbird** · 23rd May 2009, 06:50 PM

no issue with the alternator as the taco is back now the belt is on if that is what your thinking......

and the pulley looks like its sitting square

**dullbird** · 23rd May 2009, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by Xtreme

IIRC there are two or maybe three idler pulleys on the 300Tdi. When you did your original repair did you replace/service all three bearings?
If not, could it be that one of these have now failed?

Your new belt should not have failed after such a short time if all was aligned and turning correctly.

I have spare bearings if you need them and can't get them locally.

yes all bearing have been replaced the one in the aircon and the one below it which is an idler I believe were done at the same time ass the idler tensioner and belt.......

**DEFENDERZOOK** · 23rd May 2009, 07:11 PM

with the belt off........see if there is any movement in any of the pulleys.....

also spin the idlers and aircon compressor pulleys etc and see if they all feel ok......

also.....are there any oil leaks on the belt......?
an oily belt can be thrown easily........

**dullbird** · 23rd May 2009, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by DEFENDERZOOK

with the belt off........see if there is any movement in any of the pulleys.....

also spin the idlers and aircon compressor pulleys etc and see if they all feel ok......

also.....are there any oil leaks on the belt......?
an oily belt can be thrown easily........

no no oil on the belt...I will get him to check all the pulleys tomorrow.

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