Re: [DML] Failed Drive Belts.

["DMC Joe" <dmcjoe@xxxx>]

We know why your alternator belt went bad, you probably have a similar problem on the AC belt side. Check the condition of the belt pulleys and bearings. Be sure that all of the pulleys are aligined to each other, and improperly installed alternator or AC pulley bracket will cause the belts to overheat.

A damaged or even completely missing heatshield should not effect a fairly new belt. If everything is working and adjusted properly belt dressing is not necessary. Also keep in mind that over tensioning a drive belt will cause overheating and premature failure.

DMC Joe
www.dmc.tv 
"See You At The Cruise-In"
DMC Help / De Lorean Services / <dmchelp@xxxx>


----- Original Message ----- 
From: DMCVegas@xxxx 
To: dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Wednesday, August 08, 2001 5:16 PM
Subject: [DML] Failed Drive Belts.


So, here I am. 1½ of ownership, and I am now on my 3rd A/C belt, and 
my 7th alternator belt! The first 6 belts were chewed by the fan 
blades on the alternator. It looked like someone had bent them out 
just far enough so they would slowly chew the belt. After a 3lb. 
slegde hammer, and a 2' stick of re-bar, that issue is solved.

Now I have a new problem. Sunday when I got into my car, I hear an 
awful screeching from the engine compartment. I stopped the engine, 
and checked things out. My alternator belt had flipped on it's side. 
I realize this could be poor tensioning. But, when I inspected the 
belt (and the A/C since I had to remove it too), both belts were 
hard. The A/C belt in particular was already cracked all over the 
bottom. When I bent the belts backwards, both snapped instantly!

So, I have 2 questions:

1. My heat shield in front of my muffler is damaged a bit, and has 
been perforated in a couple of places. Could this be extreme heat 
that had dried out the belts?

2. Is belt dressing a good idea? I've heard that it can sometime dry 
out belts and crack them prematurely. Since I drive in the heat 
constantly, this is the last thing I want to do.

Any help/ideas would be greatly appriciated. Thanks in advance!

-Robert
vin 6585






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