VP Drive Belts

[Corky]

My Volvo Penta 431A (AQ205) has long suffered from this problem. On startup from cold the fanbelt/drive belt driving my waterpump and alternator is under strain to replace the current just drawn from the batteries and starts to slip. I then retighten it and it's alright for a week or so and then slips again. I replace the belt every 6 months but looking at the standard issue belt and the polished pulleys it seems a bit short of friction. Does anyone know of a better belt or a modification (preferably low-cost) to the pulleys which would help. The waterpump was overhauled last season which has had no effect on the slip.

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[BarryH]

You could, at a cost, replace belt and pullies to use the poly vee belt set up. Thats the extreame. On the other hand you could go to a decent factors and get a quality belt of the proper profile to fit the pullies.
To take the polish off off my pullies I use a bit of ali oxide paper. They shouldn't really polish up that much if the proper profile belt is used at the proper tension. Its a slipping belt that polish's them.

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[peterandjeanette]

Had quite a bit of trouble with the belts on my KAD 32's last year. After a few weeks they started slipping, making a hell of a squeel when the turbo kicked in. The alternator and power steering belts can be tightened quite easily ( but still need a little slack). These were not to blame. However, the two "flat" belts need to be bar taught - I was told. Not easy to adjust. I ended up using a product called " belt dressing". Comes in a spray can. This stopped the squeel immediately - and vastly reduced the amount of black dust in the engine room. Made by a company called "Rocol". Haven't got the details to hand, but PM me if you need further info. Still change all the belts every year though. Good luck!"

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[aztec]

had the same problem on a large diesel. cause was the battery voltage dropping too low following startup, but replacing to a larger capacity isn't worth it unless the battery's due for replacement or u/s (you might want to get it checked anyway)

in the short term you can get an aerosol "belt dressing" from any decent bearing or commercial drivetrain specialists (i used ashley bearings) periodically spray the belts, this'll give then the helping hand they need.

good luck.

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[Buzz]

In my line of work I deal with a lot of belt drive compressers,when I was a apprentiece I was shown how to stop belt noise.its one of those old tricks that gets forgotten

Rub a candle on the driving face of the belt its ,gonna be cheaper than belt dressing!!

I have just had to do this on my aq171 because of the load on the altenator when the boat is first started ,you may have to this every now and again but it seems to work

<hr width=100% size=1>Hmm your getting me confused with someone who cares

 

[oldgit]

I am with Aztec on this one.Maybe battery related.Silly question but have you checked fluid level lately.

<hr width=100% size=1>If it aint broke fix it till it is.

 

[Col]

Corky, this is a well known problem on that engine. Basically you have 1 belt that drives everything, it goes from the crankshaft pulley to the engine water pump, then the alternator. The power steering pump is driven off the water pump pulley.
The answer is quite simple, put a double "V" pullley on the alternator, and using the second (unused) "V" pullys on the crank and water pump, you can fit twin drive belts. That will sort your problem. Pulleys are available from your local Bosch / Lucas dealer.
Col.

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