2.8JTD Alternator belt

[codgerbodger]

Re Hymer B574 2002 Fiat 2.8JTD

When the engine is started and the battery needs to be charged, for the first minute or so the Alternator belt will squeal, I assume that it is slipping. The garage say that they cannot tighten the belt any more. Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[Guigsy]

Re Hymer B574 2002 Fiat 2.8JTD

When the engine is started and the battery needs to be charged, for the first minute or so the Alternator belt will squeal, I assume that it is slipping. The garage say that they cannot tighten the belt any more. Has anyone else had this issue?

Is it not just that the belt has deteriorated and needs replacing?

 

[PP Bear]

Replace the belt, if they’ve tightened and tightened and tightened then it’s stretched, get it changed before friction see’s if fail completely.

 

[jockaneezer]

The alternator belt is a "polyvee" type, it has several small vee shaped ridges along it's length. These vees grip the corresponding vees in the pulleys, once the side of the rubber vees start to wear out, they no longer grip the pulleys and can start to slip. The garage (if they're worth their salt) should have a polyvee belt gauge to check the amount of wear on the belt.
Here's a picture of mine that was a freebie on some Gate's promotion or other at the motor factors.I
Just fit a new belt to it.

 

[Catpirate]

It happens, if it stops when you reduce the revs it is probably ok. It is trying to supply the starting battery and the hab battery at the same time.

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[Badknee]

When the engine is started and the battery needs to be charged, for the first minute or so the Alternator belt will squeal,

That’s when the alternator is working hard but it still shouldn’t squeal. Fit a new belt then you will get some adjustment back.
Sad to say but your garage should have suggested this.

 

[bigwood]

When the polyvee belts first appeared we were told the tension check was to twist it If tension is correct it should not twist more than 90 degrees.
Most of the pollyvee belts have fancy tensioners now with no manual adjustment like sliding the alternator back. Some of the garages change the belt and tensioner as one costing more than just a belt of course.

 

[codgerbodger]

Thanks for all the responses.
The belt was changed and I travel with the old one as a spare.
I'll speak to the garage again on the issue.