Slippery when wet

[Edweird]

I've noticed that if my truck gets wet, be it foggy, wet roads or raining, the fanbelt (I think) lets out this aweful shriek almost every time I increase my engine speed, be it accelerating or changing down.

Should it be as simple as just putting a little more tension on the belt, or is it possibly getting a bit worn out?

[ScottieJ]

Yeah whip it off and check the condition, if its ok tension it to the point you can only twist it about a 1/4 of the way around.

[Edweird]

Okay, cheers. I know it's not exactly technical, but seeing as I have all of no experience I'm trying to avoid flying blind.

[ScottieJ]

No worries ed, you might find it easiest to get a thin bar so you can pry the alternator over with one hand and do the bolt up with the other, makes it easier to get some good tension.

[Edweird]

You know when you go to do something simple, then shit hits the fan(belt)?

The belt was lacking tension, and I loosed the belt and had a peek to check it's condition. It looked okay to me.

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Looped it back round the pulleys and applied a little force to the alternator, by little I mean I only moved it rather than pushed it to get tension on the belt, using only my right hand, and I hear a rattle. I move my hand and this is what greets me.

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The friggin alternator mount gave up, just like that. It looks like part of it's been cracked for a while, as there's rust on the broken face.

As it is, I've bolted it to the alternator back in place and it seems to be holding, and to be honest it could easily have been broken for a while anyway. Ever since I demolished that fence possibly....

Don't suppose anyone near the Humber would happen to have a spare?

[ScottieJ]

There's the problem ed

I'll have a look in the workshop and at the farm, might have a 410 alt bracket so I could send it up if I have and you have no luck finding one locally.

[Darrell]

The belts wear out on the width and may still be tight but still slip. Treat yourself to a new belt. Been there, messed about, belt tight, looked good but made a racket every damp morning first thing. Well worth the fiver

[dominic]

Those alternator brackets can crack due to the tension over time, always good to keep a spare when doing off-roading.
Mine cracked years ago, and i was lucky that i was at work, so i got one of the guys to weld it up as a temp fix. i wouldnt recommend it to be a permanant repair, just get another bracket if u can


Dom