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328 Alternator Belt self-destructing

Discussion in '308/328' started by FasterIsBetter, Oct 26, 2009.

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  1. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
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    Steve W.
    #1 FasterIsBetter, Oct 26, 2009
    Shortly after getting the 328 delivered this past spring, my alternator belt self-destructed. I got some squealling and then, kaflewy -- the belt is gone. Not a biggie, I thought. Got a new belt, installed it, made sure the alternator pulley was straight and in line with the crank pulley, properly tensioned, all that good stuff. Also, check the alternator and it seemed to be okay, no excessive play, no resistance in turning it, etc. Started the car, she ran fine. I've driven it a few times, no problems.

    So yesterday, I took the 328 out on the Ferrari club fall foliage tour and luncheon outing through Westchester and Putnam, up along the Hudson to Beaon, NY. Absolutely beautiful day. The car ran great. Nice spirited driving, great lunch, wonderful ride back to my girlfriend's house. I headed home around 9:30 at night, and got out on the highway. Car seemed to be running fine, but I started getting a really bad squealing from the engine. In short order, I heard the alternator belt break and the alternator light immediately came on.

    Now, the last time this happened, I was able to drive the car home. So, rather than stop (I was on the interstate), I decided to keep going and see if I could make it home. Well, I think the alternator belt must have taken the water pump belt with it, because in short order, the car overheated. I got off the next exit and there was steam everywhere.

    Long story short, I got the car home via AAA flatbed service. I have not popped the hood yet, but the engine does turn over and start, so seems that it is not too serious.

    So, the question becomes, what's making the car throw the alternator belt? I am aware of the old 328 problem of misalignment of the pulleys, but that doesn't seem to be the case in this car. They appear to line up nicely. Did I over-tension the belt? Bad bearing in the alternator? Some other problem endemic to 328s that I'm not aware of?

    Any thoughts would be appreciated. I was planning on changing all the hoses this winter anyway, so this will just accelerate the process.

    Thanks,
    Steve
     
  2. 308 milano

    308 milano F1 Veteran

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    #2 308 milano, Oct 26, 2009
    Steve, I'm not a mechanic so take this with a grain of salt, but when I did the belt service on my QV I seem to remember the alt.belt traveling exceptionally close to the mounting bracket for the AC, so much in fact that it if the bracket was replaced 1/8" closer the belt would rub and cause problems. I would throw a new belt on and then do a close visual inspection as that mounting bracket comes off everytime you do a belt service and it wouldn't take much to duplicate your senario. Kim
     
  3. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

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    #3 FasterIsBetter, Oct 26, 2009
    Thanks Kim, but the AC bracket is not there. The AC compressor was removed and I haven't put it back yet. So no bracket rubbing problem causing the belt to break at this point. I was very careful to check tolerances and clearance when I installed the belt.
     
  4. umsneeze

    umsneeze Formula Junior

    Nov 16, 2004
    449
    Knoxville, TN
    #4 umsneeze, Oct 26, 2009
    I'm not sure about 328s, but on 308 the water pump and alternator are run from the same belt. I had a similar problem with mine as my water pump seized, after an occasional squeal. I thought it was just the alternator when the light came on and 2 mins later temp gauge was pegged.
     
  5. AZDoug

    AZDoug Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2009
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    #5 AZDoug, Oct 26, 2009
    I would suggest now is a good time to rebuild your water pump and have the alternator bearings replaced.

    Doug
     
  6. 308 milano

    308 milano F1 Veteran

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    #6 308 milano, Oct 26, 2009
    Steve, do one of the pulleys have a sharp edge on it? By chance were you able to pick up the broken belt? Maybe see if it was cut up or frayed etc.The day I picked up my QV the very same thing happened but the broken belt was still in the engine bay when we poped the lid, had to stay an extra night in Des Moines Ia. Your sure the bracket I'm talking about isn't on the front cam cover yet? I think it would still be mounted there even if you did remove the compressor if my memorys correct.
     
  7. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    #7 miketuason, Oct 26, 2009
    Did you run the engine right after the belt change, I mean before you put the wheel back and see if it rub with anything? Sometimes sharp spot or area are found on either the Alt pulley and/or crank pulley and it's just a matter of short time before the new belt breaks. Or you could have a new but defective belt to begin with.
     
  8. speedy

    speedy Formula Junior

    Oct 18, 2005
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    James Gardner
    #8 speedy, Oct 26, 2009
    Agreed..If the pulleys are aligned and the belt is tensioned properly, then it has to be a bearing going out. You should be able to feel which one is bad by turning the pulleys by hand with the belt off.
     
  9. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

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    #9 FasterIsBetter, Oct 26, 2009
    Yes, ran the engine and checked clearances. The belt was not rubbing. It actually looked like the prior belt was too big for the car, and would have rubbed one of the studs, but after installing the correct belt and tensioning, everything was clear. It ran fine.

    yes, I plan on checking, but the alternator seemed fine last time when I spun it by hand. I wonder if the problem is only evident under tension. I'm going to check both the water pump and alternator, but I suspect it is the alternator that is the problem as the water pump belt was fine the last time around.
     
  10. 308 milano

    308 milano F1 Veteran

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    #10 308 milano, Oct 26, 2009
    Again, my mechanical skills are limited... but if it a bearing was going out wouldn't you think the belt would be squealing for miles in order to get hot enough to fail? (literally miles)
     
  11. fgcfire8

    fgcfire8 Formula Junior

    Jan 19, 2008
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    #11 fgcfire8, Oct 26, 2009
    Feel water pump and alternator for no drag spots.
    Double check tension first time I changed that belt is promptly self destructed as Ferrari Mondial takes alot tighter that what I was used to.
     
  12. RGigante

    RGigante F1 Rookie
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    #12 RGigante, Oct 27, 2009
    I had to replace the alternator pulley on my 328 because it had sharp edges and it was damaging the belt, even if it didn't break it. Since Ferrari wanted a fortune for one (something like 300-400 euros) I had one custom made for about a third of that price!
    While I had the alternator off I've replaced the bearings with improved SKF type, cleaned all contacts and replaced the carbon contacts (can't remember the english word for that).
    8.000Km later, no problems.
     
  13. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

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    #13 tuttebenne, Oct 27, 2009
    Isn't the alternator belt the one with the idler pulley? They have an odd habit of spinning one minute and seizing the next, then spinnng again. Remove your belt and spin the pulley slowly. If you feel any little rough spots (feels like a single grain of sand is being run over by the ball bearings) get rid of the bearings. They're ten bucks each at a bearing shop. I'd replace them even if they felt fine.
     
  14. blmjumper

    blmjumper Formula Junior

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    #14 blmjumper, Oct 27, 2009
    Steve,

    This might sound silly, but the service center who did my 328 years ago didn't torque down the harmonic dampner bolt. Thus, the bolt came off while driving and the dampner began to slide on the shaft.

    The alternator & compressor belts went, and the only thing holding the dampner on the shaft was the tiny water pump belt.

    You may have already checked this..but I thought I'd add my experience. The thought of what would have happened if the dampner came off at say 6,000 rpm is kinda scary.

    Tyler
     
  15. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

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    #15 tuttebenne, Oct 27, 2009
    You have great English skills; I couldn't tell you were multilingual until your last line. FYI, the carbon contacts are also known as "brushes".
     
  16. RGigante

    RGigante F1 Rookie
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    #16 RGigante, Oct 27, 2009
    I really like English: many times I find myself thinking in English and remembering the English word for something and not the Portuguese word :)
    Thanks for reminding me about "brushes" !
     
  17. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
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    #17 miketuason, Oct 27, 2009
    It's called Brush:)
     
  18. DenisB

    DenisB Formula Junior

    Jul 21, 2007
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    #18 DenisB, Oct 27, 2009
    not long ago I had something like this happen and it was the waterpump, replaced... sound/problem GONE. look there
     
  19. mike996

    mike996 F1 Veteran

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    #19 mike996, Oct 27, 2009
    Heck, I'm a native english speaker and half the time I can't think of the english word for something either! :)
     
  20. fastradio

    fastradio F1 Rookie
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    #20 fastradio, Oct 27, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    On a 328, the alternator belt is separate from the waterpump belt...No connection here.
    (AC belt tensioner not yet installed)
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  21. DenisB

    DenisB Formula Junior

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    #21 DenisB, Oct 27, 2009
    oh well... it was a thought , sorry.
     
  22. Easyrider7467

    Easyrider7467 Formula Junior

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    #22 Easyrider7467, Oct 27, 2009
    Was this drive in the newsletter? Dont recall seeing this advertised.
     
  23. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

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    #23 FasterIsBetter, Oct 28, 2009
    John,

    Yes, it was in the FCA newsletter. It was originally scheduled for Oct. 18, but was postponed because of bad weather. Check the Empire State Region website (www.empirestateregion.com) under "events" for the holiday party on December 6th. It's always a really nice afternoon. And if the weather is nice, it makes a great end of season run for the cars.

    Steve
     

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