Odd that the belt starts out ok on that pulley and that it appears the alternator is walking it forward. You need a laser aligner to check them all. It’s a good tool for anyone who messes with this stuff.

 

Do you have a suggestion on a good affordable lazer aligned? I think my new setup is dead on but I like new tools.

 

I have a Gates.

 

it almost looks like that idler pulley is sitting crooked. like the upper portion sits farther out and the lower portion is pulled in. look at the idler mounting bolt head relative to the closest alternator bolt head.

 

Ya I've tried 3 different 100mm idlers. Two from Gates and 1 from Dayco and the belt sits the same way on all of them. It also sits the same way with the stock 90mm idler. I did swap out the alternator, but maybe it's the alternator bracket?

I'm just wondering how useful a laser alignment tool will be? I mean let's say the alternator is out of alignment. How would I go about aligning it?

 

The alignment tool will tell you what pulley is off, proper alignment and the correct belt length to allow the tensioner to do its job does wonders. That’s why you hear of people throwing belts and having belts walk 1 rib forward or back. Most people’s belt issues are do to improper setup.

 

Yep^^^

 

I had belt chirp after installing my york air compressor. As everyone else has said, it's an alignment issue. I ended up making a new pulley

 

Amazingly on the recommendation of a forum member I'm using a Continental / Gatorback belt and the cold start chirp has gone at least for now. We'll see if it stays away when I go 8-rib.

 

Your welcome.