My engine belt configuration was originally like this (picture below) when I bought my Barth. The only difference was the power steering belt ran off the crank alone. The A/C compressor belt was around the crank and the water pump. The alternator belt also was around the crank and water pump.



When I was replacing a dying alternator, I took off the air pump. The dash A/C was shot so I took the compressor off too.

My current belt setup looks like this.



Do any of you see a problem with this setup? The belts are new. Also the same belt fits in both positions which I like, one belt # to stock. The alternator is new and was bench tested. I don't understand why the damn thing keeps slipping. There is plenty of belt wrap-around on the pulley but there is the long trip down to the crank but I've seen longer. The pulley alignment is dead on. Maybe it need to be a bit tighter?

I probably cannot express this clearly enough...
You have changed the direction of pull on the alternator. It used to be tensioned like an arrow on a bowstring. The air pump probably had a tension adjustment. Now that aid is gone, combined with the fact your alt. adjustment arc now has a different relationship with the direction of belt tension.

So would an idler be the way to correct this? The air pump pulley is about shot. It looks like something had been rubbing on it at some point. I'd rather not replace the air pump if I can get away with it.

The air pump did have a small amount of adjustment but to replace the belt, I just loosen the alt. All of the adjusting was done with the alt.

quote:

Originally posted by Bones:



My current belt setup looks like this.



Do any of you see a problem with this setup?

I ran mine with the AIR pump removed for a coupla years. No problem.

Does your power steering pump also power a HydroBoost for the power brakes?

Yep, PS runs a hydroboost.

I would worry about running the power steering and particularly power brakes with just one belt. That not only puts quite a load on the belt, but a failure of that single belt could be a problem.

With two belts, they are sharing the load, so should last much longer, plus you have one left if the other fails.

My deactivated air cond compressor is still in position as an idler for that reason.

Did your engine originally have 2 AIR pumps?

I think you can still add a second belt which goes only from the crank to the Hydroboost pump.

Are you running a steering stabilizer in your front suspension? I had one that jammed and dragged down the Hydroboost pump and led to problems with the other belts.

My 1987 has a serpentine belt for driving the alternator, and I thought this was used up through 1992. Do you have that or a V belt?
Matt

My engine has a flat belt on the crank, water pump and alternator. I removed both (yes, 2!) air pumps and the engine AC and was able to run 2 identical V belts from crank to power steering/hydroboost. Much piece of mind. Looks like your rig must have been just before mine with V belts all around. You may be able to run that second V belt like Matt suggested.

Yes, I can and will run 2 belts on the power steering pump. My engine had a single air pump on it. It is all V-belts.

This engine was replaced about 1992 with only 32k on it. There are a few quirks but that can be said for any motorhome.