1993 Eats Alternator Belt

[mowfixer]

I have seen mention of these belt problems on the Geos Metros but no solution. Has anyone figured out the cause of the alternator belts eating themselves up?

I ran this car for 100,000 miles with no problems and when the alternator belt needed replacing the problems started. In the first 100 miles rubber is all over the engine compartment and the belt squeels at the alternator pully. I have replaced three belts in the past six months and its getting old.

I have checked the obvious:

Cleaned pullys
Replaced water pump
checked pully alignment (I assume that is the problem)
replaced alternator and pully

I could see slight pully misalignment but how can it be fixed? The alternator is attached to a solid bracket and I see no fudge factor. I did read somewhere that you needed to use factory OEM belts on this car. Is that so.

Anyone have experience with this problem?

[carpenter_jai]

You probably checked, but just to be sure, do you have an oil leak? Oil eats those belts very quickly. If you do have a leak, there will be oil splattered on the underside of the hood from the belt. It may only be a temporary aid, but you can regularly squirt dish soap on the belt to repel the oil and to help it gain friction.

Also, how is the tension? I had problems with mine until I beefed up the bolts on my alternator and then put lot's of tension on the belt by pushing the alternator as far back as I could get it. 2 years now, and not a whisper of a problem.

Jai

[BeoWolfe]

I have experienced this very thing. I replaced an alternator on my geo about two years ago... about 6 months after that it started chewing up belts left and right. I couldn't see an alignment problem but as it turns out, when I reinstalled the alternator I negelected to put in the bottom rear bolt. Even though its a small alternator and has two other bolts holding it in place - missing this one bolt over time caused my alt to not sit properly. After a few belts I found the problem - reinstalled a bolt and its been fine ever since.

So to make a long story short - make sure you have all three bolts that mount your alternator securely in place.

And one more thing to check... you mention replacing the alt pulley, did you also check the alt bearing to make sure it spins freely?

[Metro Mighty Mouse]

The only solution I was able to find was to tighten the sh** out of it. I made sure to have a lifetime warranty alternator so I wouldn't have to pay for it if the bearing went out. Many years down the line the alternator still works fine. I use a Proto screwdriver that is about 17in long to pry the alternator back before tightening.