Belt Flew off With No Warning!!

glowstang93 · Oct 26, 2004

I have the 3G alternator upgrade, the Goodyear Belt frayed at the edge and a piece of the wire inside must have got caught and it kicked the belt off. The Goodyear belt was not as wide as the original belt. I bought a new belt that is the correct width for all the pulleys, but there is an overlap on the idler pulley. I don't think it will be an issue, but wanted to post some pics to get some opinions. Appreciate any suggestions.

The belt matches all the rest of the pulleys, just doesn't sit directly on the idler pulley due to the 3G alignment being further toward the front of the car.

freakintiger · Oct 26, 2004

I think you're going to have to release tension on that pulley and adjust the belt so it is centered up, when you put tension back on it, it should stay.

freakintiger · Oct 26, 2004

Nice clean engine by the way!

mr_woodster · Oct 27, 2004

Ya, that tensioner is gonna make that belt funky....only pressuring half the belt and forcing the outside off the curved edge. See if you can shim it? Never had to myself, but i dont see why it wouldnt work.

glowstang93 · Oct 27, 2004

Thank you very much for your help guys. I stopped by my favorite mechanic and he said that the tension idler pulley was cocked due to the tensioner getting ready to go out. There is a small gap at the top and a larger gap at the bottom of the tensioner which is causing the misaligment. I have the part due in this afternoon. Its a simple unbolt and bolt back on repair after I swing the alternator out of the way. I will post back what the results were and a pic.

glowstang93 · Oct 27, 2004

Well, I changed the Idler Tensioner/Pulley and couldn't tell a difference. The pulley is tighter than the original, but the alignment is still the same. The 3g alternator I have is actually for a 92 Ford Econoline with a V8. It looks like the alternator pulley needs to be positioned more to the rear of the car to line up perfectly. The funny thing is I have had this alternator and belt for over 2 yrs on this car with no problems. The only thing I could see, was a little bit of fraying on the belt that caused a piece of the wire inside belt to stick out. Maybe this caused it to slide off the tensioner pulley? I have since cut the wire off and put it back on. Here is the pic, I don't like the way it only hits the pulley at the end, but I don't see anything else I can do. What do you all think about how safe this is?

I also positioned the skinnier Goodyear belt all the way back on the pulleys to get it mor on the tensioner pulley/

Red_LX · Oct 27, 2004

You sure it's not the alignment of the alternator? Awhile back, on my '90 Mustang, the belt frayed and actually split down the middle because the top bolt on the alternator wasn't tightened down all the way. The belt was actually in two pieces when I took it off.

glowstang93 · Oct 28, 2004

Well, I have a new idler tension pulley on order, maybe I got a bad one. Will try it in the morning. If it doesn't work then I don't know what I'm going to do I never had any problems untill the other day, maybe its just a fluke. Does anybody have any pictures of where there belts ride on there tensioners. I would really like to see how mine compares Please Please post them!!!!!

khal101 · Oct 28, 2004

If you alternator isnt lined up then you'll get a frayed belt. You need to get that alternator lined up with the other pulleys to completely cure your problem.

glowstang93 · Oct 29, 2004

Hmm, get alternator lined up. Lets see, the main pulleys didn't and don't move, the alternator is in a fixed bracket system and it hasn't moved, I've changed the tensioner/idler pulley which had absolutely no affect on alignment. How do you suggest getting the alternator aligned?

kiddiccarus · Oct 29, 2004

I hate when the belt flys off and the warning light dont come on.

glowstang93 · Oct 29, 2004

Thanks for the light sentiment. It really did help. Like all things Ford, this too shall pass and another problem will arise.

kiddiccarus · Oct 29, 2004

I have learnt that no matter how much I fix on my girl she has another ach and paint in a different area. no matter how much money I throw at her she is never satisfied either.

glowstang93 · Oct 29, 2004

I have settled on the narrower Goodyear Belt, Put back on my 3G alternator because I can't stand the stock 75 amp crap, and bought an extra Belt. My best guess at this point is the edge of the belt that was frayed had a piece of the inner wire loose. I think that the inner wire allowed it to skip off the idler pulley's smooth surface. But who knows???

Belt Flew off With No Warning!!

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