Belt changing and Tension

[SteveRay]

I just purchased my 1992 3.0L Mercruiser at the end of last season and it has a brand new alternator and starter.I assume the last one fried the belt due to the belt particles on the engine and in the spark arrestor. I cleaned all that up The belt however seems loose and when I looked at the bracket to tighten it it seems that it is out as far as it goes but I could be wrong, and the belt appears rather new. Is the belt stretched? Should I replace it? Should I attempt to tighten the tension first? <br /> If I replace it it seems as if I would have to remove and engine mount correct? Whats the best way to go about this as the merc manual shows the tolerance for tension on belts but I did not see a section on changing the belts.<br />Thanks in advance for all your hepl guys!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

Steve,....<br />My NAPA book says you need a 18-15410 belt....<br />Your's Might be the wrong 1.... I Doubt it Stretched That Much......<br /><br />To change out the belt on a 3.0l, Look at the front mount,.... On the Port side there's a little spacer block that is removable, after you pull the 2 bolts from that side,... Leave the bolts In the Starboard side, These will Hold the motor in place........<br /><br />Try Tightening the 1 you've got 1st,...... If that doesn't suffice,... Put on a New 1.......

 

[Don S]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

I would bet you have rusty pulleys. They will destroy a belt in short order and make it narrower by just wearing it away like sand paper.<br />Clean the pulleys up nice and smooth and repaint them, or just replace them if they are too rusty and your belts will start lasting longer than one weekend.

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

Don, They have lasted longer than one weekend and the pulleys actually are in great shape. There is not more than a couple tiny spots of rust in the whole engine compartment and the alternator is brand new. The belt does not appear to be worn at all. <br />Bondo or Don, Do either of you know the power steering belt number? I figure if I replace one, Why not replace them both at the same time.<br />Thanks a million guys!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

If you've got P/S, Don't use the # I posted above,... That 1 is for Non-P/S........<br />That Could Possibly be the Problem you have Now.....<br /><br />18-5400 is the Alt. belt You need,..and the P/S belt is 18-15370..... Those are Sierra or NAPA #s.....

 

[SteveRay]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

Thanks for all the valuable info. I am gonna replace both belts and I think I will be in good shape.

 

[Don S]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

Glad your pulleys aren't rusty.<br />If you want the Mercruiser belts, here are the numbers for them.<br />The alternator belt with the 3 groove circ. pump pulley is 57-69143Q. If the circ pump pulley only has one groove in it, you use belt 57-64032A 1.<br />The powersteering belt is 57-65607T.

 

[Iam2smoov]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

Hi,<br /><br />I have the same burning/broken belt problem with my OMC 3.0L. I just replaced the battery, but does anyone know if it's a bad alternator, starter or rusty pulleys? How do I clean the rust off?

 

[tommays]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

aa<br /><br />start a NEW post with you problem you will get a better answer with less confusion<br /><br />tommays

 

[Iam2smoov]

Re: Belt changing and Tension

Will do! Thanks!