[Vwdiesel] TD eats alternator belts

[Shawn Wright]

I think it is also much more common on cars with A/C. I've got two '85 
Jettas, one a TD, and one NA, but neither with A/C. I've put over 300k 
kms on the TD in 10 years, and only gone through 3 belts, but never 
broken one. I just replace when the look worn, and start to slip too much 
in the rain. I buy good OEM belts from a VW parts place, usually Conti, 
and yes, the non-metric size could be the problem if you're using non-
oem belts (EKTA specifies they are 9.5mm width, even though many 
places will sell you a 10mm belt). Could also be pulleys out of alignment, 
I had this problem on an Audi once.

On 8 Jan 2004 at 22:17, William D. Hamblen <william.d.hamblen at dartmouth.edu> wrote:

> 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
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
> > Vwdiesel mailing list
> > Vwdiesel at vwfans.com
> > http://www.audifans.com/mailman/listinfo/vwdiesel
> > 
> 
> 
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--
Shawn Wright
http://Zuiko.sls.bc.ca/swright
'88 Westy 375k
'85 Jetta D 263k
'85 Jetta TD 482k (retired)
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