accessory belt still very loose after replacing alternator

[andrewwynn]

1/2" is a huge difference in tightness but you may be able to make up for that if you didn't hit the limit on the tensioner


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[cn90]

Rule #1 in any car belt, use the dealer or OEM mfg belt. Aftermarket belt, even with 2-3mm difference, can cause a lot of issues (squealing)...

- For Honda, Toyota, I use Mitsuboshi belt.
- For European cars, Continental belt.

[cn90]

Another problem with belts is that, people wait until the belt breaks or in an emergency, then run to local auto parts stores, which carry mostly American-made belts such as Gates.

Gates is good, but sometimes it could be off a bit.

If people plan way ahead and order appropriate belts made by let's say Mitsuboshi or Conti, they will be happy.

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by cn90

Another problem with belts is that, people wait until the belt breaks or in an emergency, then run to local auto parts stores, which carry mostly American-made belts such as Gates.

Gates is good, but sometimes it could be off a bit.

If people plan way ahead and order appropriate belts made by let's say Mitsuboshi or Conti, they will be happy.

Something I try to do to avoid that predicament is to replace the belts as part of preventive maintenance (i.e., before the belt fails), and then save the old one and carry it in the car next to the spare tire. I know it's not so helpful while stuck in a problem, to hear how I could have easily avoided it, but anyway, hopefully this helps someone else.

BTW, back onto the problem in this thread, I still think that mis-routing is a more likely scenario than rockauto selling the wrong part. I know both are possible, but it is so easy to mis-route. And a 1/2" error in length will mean about 1/4" travel of the tensioner, which should still allow it to fit, even though it is not right.

Most belts have either the inches (64 in this case) or the mm in the part number, along with the number of ribs (7 in this case). So you can do your own easy error-check when ordering, and not assume rockauto's catalog is right. If you can multiply by 25.4, you can even translate between the inch vs. metric belts (64" = 1625.6 mm). And then hold the two belts next to eachother to confirm length before installing, unless your original belt melted as happened here.

There is a slight difference since some belts are spec'ed by outer diameter and some are spec'ed by effective length, which will be different by a couple of mm.

I'd expect up to about 3mm difference would be no problem at all. 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) should probably fit with difficulty, but should probably not be used.

[alfa_romeo55]

I went ahead and ordered the conti belt with the 1623 mm or 63.90 inches instead of the conti at 1625.6 mm or 64 inches. There is so much room with the Gates belt on there now that I am forced to use the Conti at the smallest measurements. I will let you now how it works out when I get the belts by Friday and install it immediately.