Volvo 2002 Drive Belt and Audible Alarm.

[DJE]

My engine has destroyed a new belt (the one that drives the alternator and fresh water pump) in less than 10 hours motoring. In the past they've always lasted a whole season but this one has thrown off an awful lot of dust and needed adjusting every few hours until it broke on Monday. Any idea why the sudden change in behaviour?

Also does anybody know when the audible alarm on the engine panel is supposed to sound? It works on the test button but when the belt broke both the charge and temperature lights came on without the alarm sounding.

 

[MoodySabre]

If it was the correct belt then either the pulleys are out of alignment or the belt was too loose.

The alarms sound for battery discharge and temp. Some of the connections on the back of the panel probably need cleaning up. You know the lights and the alarms work so it must the bits connecting them (that's my logic anyway).

 

[Cantata]

I can't remember the belt size on a 2002. But what you describe has happened to me twice, on 2 different V-P engines. In both cases I had been supplied with a belt that was half a mm incorrect in width from that specified by V-P.

 

[flyingscampi]

V-Belt part number for the 2002 is 966900.

I'd be interested to know if there is a way of checking the overheating sensor is working correctly as well.

 

[paulwitney]

This has to be some problem with alignment or tension of the belt. Check the alternator mounts. On my 2002 the alternator belt has lasted minimum of 7 years ( my ownership of the boat). I have adjusted the tension once in this time.
As for the alarms, just check for corrosion in the electrics. Plugs and connections wih any corrosion will stop alarms working.

 

[Chris_Robb]

I would suggest that your pulleys are out of allignment, or that the belt is sitting on the base of the pully rather than the cheeks on each side. Check alingment by putting a straight edge across both pullies.

As for the alarm, we have exactly the same problem. However it does sound for a second on starting and stopping, presumably when the voltage is raised by trhe alternator, so I suspect it is the connections behind the panel which need cleaning - which is the next job on the list to do!

 

[ianat182]

As Chris Robb suggests its likely that the belt is bottoming in the pulley groove,and is ,as previously suggested ,the incorrect width allowing the belt to do this;the belt drives from the edges of the vee, not the apex.
New belt as Ref No. above ?

ianat182

 

[DJE]

Thanks all. I've been to Volvo Penta and got the official belt to try. Surprisingly it was only £7.60! It looks different from the copy in several respects so hopefully the fault was with the old belt. Now to clean up all the dust in the engine compartment and have a look at the alarm wiring.