Beta Belt stretch

[cindersailor]

I put a new alternator belt (supplied by Beta) on my Beta 16 a month or so ago, tighened it up to take out what I thought to be reasonable stretch after 10 or so engine hours and assumed it would be fine for a good few hours after that. I now find that after another 15 hours it has stretched again, so much that I am now almost at the limit of adjustment. Not sure whether it is just a poor belt (marked Mitsubishi) or if the engine simply gives its belts a hard time. Certainly the amount of rubber dust that is produced (which I know it a general Beta issue) suggests the latter.

 

[cliff]

Pulleys out of alignment? or stiff water pump? or rusty / corroded pulleys? or over tightened?
---------------------

Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity

 

[webcraft]

Everyone seems to agree that Beta have a belt problem. One solution mooted is to fit the expensive high temp belt.

Strangely, we have never had a problem - OK, a lot of black dust, but our first belt did nearly 600 hours with only one tightening.

- W

 

[cindersailor]

All sensible suggestions Cliff, but the engine is only 2 seasons old and nothing has been touched which could have affected allignment. Having spoken to Beta their suggestion is lack of ventilation leading to the belt overheating.

 

[mick]

[ QUOTE ]
One solution mooted is to fit the expensive high temp belt.


- W

[/ QUOTE ]

What belt is this?

 

[oldsaltoz]

Try a Gates Green Stripe belt.

 

[donm]

After a similar question about dust on here last year, I changed to a toothed belt as suggested and now it stays clean. I have not found a problem with the belt stretching.

 

[willie4646]

Im afraid it's an inherent problem with Beta Engines, I have two 20's installed in my Cat and both suffer from belt wear causing the engine bay to be covered in black rubber dust. Iv'e aleviated the ptoblem by polishing the pulley faces with fine wet n dry, also buy a good quality belt.
Willie

 

[Ruffles]

Anyone know if these belt dressing sprays work?

 

[Kurrawong_Kid]

Had this problem on my BD1005. Took a belt into Halfords and matched up and found their 1000A nearly the same. Had to remove alternator adjusting bracket to squeeze it on but (a) it has hardly stretched (b) significent reduction in dust.
I'm told expensive FRP ones will also cure the problem. Next time I'm near a Kubota dealer I intend to find out what belts they sell.

 

[sailorman]

i have the same prob with the Nanni 4150. very frustrating when the engine was Sooooooooooo Expensive /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[jeanne]

I have a BD1005, about six years old, with an Adverc charge controller that occasionally charges at 50 plus amps, still on the original factory supplied belt. There is usually black dust around the pulleys, but I do not tighten the belt every time I service it, or use dressings, which sounds like the mechanical equivalent of aromatherapy.

 

[LittleSister]

I have the same problem on my Beta 13.5hp. First belt was knackered by a long first trip in the season. Replacement needed tightening way too often. I mentioned it to an Beta agent engineer who was doing some work on the engine for me, and he told me that it was a known weakness of the Beta 10/13.5, and that he'd discussed it with Beta but they still hadn't done anything about it.

I think (but I'm not sure) that he said that in his view the standard belt was too thin for the load, and that for pulleys of such small diameter it needed a toothed belt. He said he'd found a toothed belt replacement, but couldn't remember at the time what it was.

I now check the belt more or less every trip (and have tightening it down to a 2 minute job) but it's a nuisance, and I still end up with black dust all around the front of the engine.

 

[johnkeith]

My new Beta 13.5 has same issue. Got a toothed belt from Beta as a backup if tighteneing the belt doesn't work. Beta did mention the higher spec heat resistant band which Steve mentions but they said I would have to replace two of the pulley wheels to fit it.

 

[onenyala]

Had the same problems with my BZ482 - black dust etc. Spoke to Beta who sold me a replacement kit for the 60 amp alternator. The kit consisted of three replacement pulleys, a polyvee belt and a modified mounting arrangement for the alternator. Fitted them and the problem has been cured.
The kit was sold for a 'special' price of about £70

 

[davidbains]

Take the belt to Halfords or similar and buy a toothed belt of the same length but slightly fatter if poss. Belts do not need to be overtightened as long as they are producing the amps.

 

[sailorman]

the belts are "A" profile same a automotive