it kinda looks like it's hitting/rubbing on one of the spacers! 
Belt problem?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,634
Likes: 325
From: Greenville SC
Belt problem?
Put on a new Gates belt wih new bracket. Have only driven car a couple short 10 min trips. I was doing the burping procedure for rad tonight, idling, the revving to 3k to get temp up etc. I looked at belt and it had little pits on the outside, and little bits of the back of the belt everywhere. Belt looks fine otherwise, and not misaligned like old belt and bracket. Is this normal, does the smooth backing just not last long on these?
Belt is at least 2 years old, but new.
Belt is at least 2 years old, but new.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Yeah! That doesn't look right with the back peeling off or flaking off like that!
Is this a single long serpentine belt? or Flip Drive?
Do you have aluminum idler pulley's or plastic?
You have a EWP or standard water pump?
Can you see any evidence on any other pulley for transfer or anything?
Sometimes Reichard pulley's are hard on belts, perhaps it is the age of the belt and a new one is needed or one of the Gates Green HD Belt! you might try your old one again and see it the same thing happens before you buy a new one.
I wouldn't trust it for the long haul on the Vette or for WOT runs for any extended period of time!
P.S> - why does it look to me that you alternator picture is flipped reverse?
Thanks,Matt
Is this a single long serpentine belt? or Flip Drive?
Do you have aluminum idler pulley's or plastic?
You have a EWP or standard water pump?
Can you see any evidence on any other pulley for transfer or anything?
Sometimes Reichard pulley's are hard on belts, perhaps it is the age of the belt and a new one is needed or one of the Gates Green HD Belt! you might try your old one again and see it the same thing happens before you buy a new one.
I wouldn't trust it for the long haul on the Vette or for WOT runs for any extended period of time!
P.S> - why does it look to me that you alternator picture is flipped reverse?
Thanks,Matt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,767
Likes: 19
From: East Texas
Looks like Its rubbing on something u sure its installed right? make sure the spacers are in the proper place some are thinner so they don't rub on the belt!
Last edited by a/c man; Oct 14, 2013 at 12:32 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,634
Likes: 325
From: Greenville SC
Cant use other belt, wrong size. I changed to a smaller pulley and different bracket. It is a Reichard pulley. I believe idler is alum, it is the newer adjustable A&A bracket.
No flip, just 1 long belt.
Standard water pump.
I don't see anything wrong with it. I looked all good when I put together. I don't think the bracket would go on with the wrong peices in wrong spot, as I had to play around with them and only seemed to go on one way. The belt is very tight, and that was before I put extra tension on from idler and the tensioner.
I have a coolant leak, I am sure some antifreeze got on belt, could that cause it? This is all within a few days, and not make miles at all.
No flip, just 1 long belt.
Standard water pump.
I don't see anything wrong with it. I looked all good when I put together. I don't think the bracket would go on with the wrong peices in wrong spot, as I had to play around with them and only seemed to go on one way. The belt is very tight, and that was before I put extra tension on from idler and the tensioner.
I have a coolant leak, I am sure some antifreeze got on belt, could that cause it? This is all within a few days, and not make miles at all.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Cant use other belt, wrong size. I changed to a smaller pulley and different bracket. It is a Reichard pulley. I believe idler is alum, it is the newer adjustable A&A bracket.
No flip, just 1 long belt.
Standard water pump.
I don't see anything wrong with it. I looked all good when I put together. I don't think the bracket would go on with the wrong peices in wrong spot, as I had to play around with them and only seemed to go on one way. The belt is very tight, and that was before I put extra tension on from idler and the tensioner.
I have a coolant leak, I am sure some antifreeze got on belt, could that cause it? This is all within a few days, and not make miles at all.
No flip, just 1 long belt.
Standard water pump.
I don't see anything wrong with it. I looked all good when I put together. I don't think the bracket would go on with the wrong peices in wrong spot, as I had to play around with them and only seemed to go on one way. The belt is very tight, and that was before I put extra tension on from idler and the tensioner.
I have a coolant leak, I am sure some antifreeze got on belt, could that cause it? This is all within a few days, and not make miles at all.
However, since you have the aluminum IDLER Pulley, I believe that is what is making it look that way!
When I had one and a single belt mine did the same thing or it looked the same way, I believe that is it!
IMHO - I would suggest at some point going to a Flip-Drive, just because all around it is the best way to go for F/I Centri's!
Just keep a close eye on it and take a good look at the belt route with a good flashlight and make sure there is no rubbing anywhere and you should be good! (Aluminum Pulley transfer is my best guess at this point, without being there to look for myself)
Thanks,Matt
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,767
Likes: 19
From: East Texas
I would put a gates HD green belt on now after looking at the belt rout with a light making sure its not rubbing anything at the same time spin all the pulleys and idlers to make sure they turn smooth you don't want to through a belt it gets nasty!!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,634
Likes: 325
From: Greenville SC
Matt did the belt ever cause any issues?
A/C, do you really think the outside pitting will lead to belt failure?
I changed all this recently due to belt misalignment, was chewing up edge of belt. I am worn out, and if I change it, it won't be for some time. I still have to fix the radiator issue. The way my system is, not only do I have to take off the SC, but also the tubing and it is a bitch to get back on, and the belt was really hard to put on, even w 2 people.
A/C, do you really think the outside pitting will lead to belt failure?
I changed all this recently due to belt misalignment, was chewing up edge of belt. I am worn out, and if I change it, it won't be for some time. I still have to fix the radiator issue. The way my system is, not only do I have to take off the SC, but also the tubing and it is a bitch to get back on, and the belt was really hard to put on, even w 2 people.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 7,767
Likes: 19
From: East Texas
Matt did the belt ever cause any issues?
A/C, do you really think the outside pitting will lead to belt failure?
I changed all this recently due to belt misalignment, was chewing up edge of belt. I am worn out, and if I change it, it won't be for some time. I still have to fix the radiator issue. The way my system is, not only do I have to take off the SC, but also the tubing and it is a bitch to get back on, and the belt was really hard to put on, even w 2 people.
A/C, do you really think the outside pitting will lead to belt failure?
I changed all this recently due to belt misalignment, was chewing up edge of belt. I am worn out, and if I change it, it won't be for some time. I still have to fix the radiator issue. The way my system is, not only do I have to take off the SC, but also the tubing and it is a bitch to get back on, and the belt was really hard to put on, even w 2 people.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 21,473
Likes: 356
From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
Matt did the belt ever cause any issues?
A/C, do you really think the outside pitting will lead to belt failure?
I changed all this recently due to belt misalignment, was chewing up edge of belt. I am worn out, and if I change it, it won't be for some time. I still have to fix the radiator issue. The way my system is, not only do I have to take off the SC, but also the tubing and it is a bitch to get back on, and the belt was really hard to put on, even w 2 people.
A/C, do you really think the outside pitting will lead to belt failure?
I changed all this recently due to belt misalignment, was chewing up edge of belt. I am worn out, and if I change it, it won't be for some time. I still have to fix the radiator issue. The way my system is, not only do I have to take off the SC, but also the tubing and it is a bitch to get back on, and the belt was really hard to put on, even w 2 people.
And now all is what I would call perfect, Flip-Drive, D1SC, 3rd Gen A&A Bracket and no issues at all, anywhere of any kind!
Thanks,Matt