AD41 power steering pump shredding it's belt.

[dalex]

Hi all,
I've a strange problem in that of late, my power steering belt had flipped around so it was inside out, if you get my meaning. I sent off for a new belt, but in the meantime had run up the engine once more. This time it threw the belt off. I got the new belt and it seemed a good deal broader across the shoulders than the old one. On close examination, the original belt had been rubbing against the metal pipe coming out of the seawater pump. Also, I noticed abrasions on the clips holding the convoluted hose at the bottom of the seawater pump. It looks like the pump might be mounted too high, shoving the belt up into the 2 seawater pipes. I checked the diagram and all seems right for mounting brackets, so it should be fine.
I'm contemplating making a new pair of brackets that would drop the steering pump down a half inch allowing it to clear the 2 points of abrasion. I'm worried to drop it too far, in case the drive wheel gets close to the engine beds and starts rubbing there with any movement at sea.
Is there a proper set-up for these pumps so that they clear the seawater lines by a safe margin?
Many thanks

 

[dalex]

Here's a pic of the pump.

 

[dpb]

On mine, if the belt has gone slack it 'flaps' against the pipe but when adjusted correctly it runs close but clear.
Arethe pipes to the pump original as I dont remember anything convuluted about mine?

 

[CharlieAlpha]

Just been down into the engine bay, hope they help

 

[Dill et Bound]

My AQA41A had a belt on it when I bought the boat that was , to say the least, a bit slack. Ordered new belt.The belt was at least half as wide again as the old one. Put it on and it started rubbing on that pipe. I slackened the clips under the engine to move the pipe forward a bit to clear, but would nt budge. Looked at the copper pipe, saw all the hassle involved, got a block of wood to spread load on front of pipe, put on G cramp, crushed the pipe on the rear side to accomodate belt. replaced belt. Runs fine. I may at some stage touch up the paint that fell off, but works , Brutal engineering I suppose, but needs must.. I suppose you should also check the pump is of origional spec on your motor, The belt I ordered was specd for the motor as well. Hope this helps.

 

[dalex]

dpb - my belt was adjusted correctly, but less than a mm from the vertical copper pipe.
charliealpha - brilliant thanks - can see how a non-convoluted hose is much better. I'll order the proper hose instead f this bizarre convoluted thing. By the way, nice clean engine bay!
Dill et Bound - That's what I did in the end, pushed the copper pipe over to get that clearance.

Many thanks for all our assistance. Problem solved!

 

[cryan]

It may just be me, but, in the photo it looks ever so slightly like the closest pulley sheave is ever so slightly to the left of the far away sheave? It could just be the light of the photo etc but a misalignment would explain your symptoms. The way to check is to use a straight edge like a steel rule along a datum point, such as the end of the green casing between the pulleys, and measure the distance to the centre of pulley sheave grooves. They should obviously be the same distance from the datum or at least a gnats ar$€ from it.
If they are misaligned it may be that one of the pulleys needs a wee knock with a plastic mallet to get it back in line.