[Vwdiesel] TD eats alternator belts

[William D. Hamblen]

Hi Doyt,

I think this is a very common problem - almost surely in the archives.  
Anyway, my 91 Jetta (with an 85 engine) used to do exactly that.  I 
never figured out exactly what was going on.  

But you might have better luck if you get a true metric belt (10mm if I
recall correctly) rather than the non-metric equivalent (3/8" ?) and make
sure you recheck the tension after 15 minutes or so of running.  That
worked for me - I was going on 6 months with only minimal wear when I got
rid of that car.  I also checked the tension at every fillup but I don't
think I had to do anything after the first 50 miles.

 - Bill Hamblen

On Thu, 8 Jan 2004, Doyt W. Echelberger wrote:

> I have a 1985 Jetta turbo diesel 5spd (with air conditioning) that has 
> broken 3 alternator belts since late summer 2003. They last about 2-3 months.
> 
> The broken belts look like they have had the outer top layer of the belt 
> peeled away on one side...the side toward the alternator itself.
> 
> I'm guessing that the metal walls making the "V" of the pulleys is at the 
> wrong angle for the belt, and the top layer of the belt gets compressed 
> from each side.
> 
> Or, saying it another way, I think the "V" of the belt is too broad an 
> angle, putting all the friction on the uppermost layers of the belt as 
> those walls ride against the metal walls of the pulleys. But, I'm just 
> guessing.
> 
> If anybody ever had the same condition of their car destroying alternator 
> belts, I'd appreciate hearing how you solved the problem.
> 
> Doyt Echelberger
> Ohio   USA
> 
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