How tight can you tighten a belt?

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Mon May 30, 2011 11:27 am

I have a 4pk belt driving a high drag accessory. On the weekend I replaced the pulley on the accessory with a smaller item and now I'm getting belt squeal above 4000rpm (10psi and then drops to 8psi when slipping) I have a new belt (cut down 5pk1345 to 4pk width) which I've tightened up like a bow string - just how tight can I make this belt before I start risking damaging bearings and belt snapping?

Otherwise I guess I can go for a toothed belt or convert to 6rib but I'm not sure where I'd find a 6 rib crank pulley to suit a B6 engine.

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon May 30, 2011 12:06 pm

You can get a product that stops belts slipping from any auto shop. Or you can tighten it to all get out.
First make sure everything is very clean.

Dann

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Mon May 30, 2011 12:26 pm

Pulleys are clean. I was pretty sure that product just stopped you hearing the slipping? I think I'll have to tighten it up more in the short term and think about upgrading my pulleys to 6 rib. Belts will be easier to acquire too.

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Mon May 30, 2011 12:36 pm

Actually, I might look into throwing in another idler pulley to get better wrap on the pulley, might reduce slippage.

Postby **NitroDann** » Mon May 30, 2011 12:53 pm

Though there are anti squeel products that only make them quiet (wd40 works just as good and is cheaper) there are also antislip products that leave a permanantly half dried super tacky glue on the surface.

Like half dried puncture repair kit glue for a pushbike.

Dann

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Mon May 30, 2011 5:13 pm

you'll snap belts before you even come close to damaging bearings.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Mon May 30, 2011 7:53 pm

Though of buying a 4PK1325 and not cutting into it? Helping the strength of the belt?

jerrah · Postby **jerrah** » Mon May 30, 2011 8:27 pm

Tried a 1325 and it'd be a stretch to get it over the tensioner. 1345 is perfect and a brand new 1360 works but I don't have much adjustment.

4pk1345's exist but nobody I called on the weekend had one and Repco never got back to me today about ordering one in. 5pk was just to get me by and seems to be ok. I really tightened up the tensioner tonight and it seems to have solved the belt slip problems, now I just have to solve the problem of sounding like an air raid siren.

5pk1345 is the standard belt on a Pajero so they're common and readily available.

wun911 · Postby **wun911** » Tue May 31, 2011 8:12 pm

yeah I have used the anti squal it spray on nice and slick but turns into a black sticky mess after only a couple of weeks realy hard to clean off.

Better just buying a smaller sized belt and making it tighter...

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Tue May 31, 2011 9:13 pm

The anti-squeal stuff is okay if you are stuck...Like if your belt is so worn it is not gripping any more. It's not really meant for long term use as you end up with crud stuck to it which will accelerate belt wear.