Loose belt on alternator ?

syxx07baru · 03-09-2008, 09:39 AM

I posted a thread earlier with wrong info.
I Lost power steering + engine bay noise started after 2nd gear romp.
The belt is very loose around alternator and component to the left of Alt. when looking down from front. A bolt is sliding around near the belt causing rattling noise..
Is the belt a 1 piece serpentine? It looks like It runs to the crank pulley.
I have appoint Mon. Is It safe to drive there with belt loose?
Or should I tow It? Its a mile drive at most.
Thanks in advance.

fractur3 · 03-09-2008, 10:01 AM

it sounds like the belt tensioner came loose maybe? its an easy fix, can you get some pics?

if you dont want to fix it then definitely tow it

syxx07baru · 03-09-2008, 10:04 AM

The bolt is loose on a piece it can slide up and down on sideways.

**elirentz** · 03-09-2008, 10:15 AM

easy, easy, fix don't waste your time or money taking it to a mechanic. Get a 12 and 10 mm socket, small extension, and a ratchet and fix the tensioner. First you're going to have to take the drive belt covers off, real easy, two bolts and a nut.

Find the loose tensioner right next to the alternator, if the belt still looks ok, tighten the long bolt until the belt is pretty tight when you press on it firmly. Then tighten the other bolt on the tensioner to lock it down. Put the covers on and you're done.

syxx07baru · 03-09-2008, 10:33 AM

I might try to do that just to get it to the dealer so they can check it.
Its an 07 under warr. anyway.
I just hate towing a car.

fractur3 · 03-09-2008, 11:15 AM

you really dont need to, its 2 bolts that you have to tighten up... not hard at all, at least tighten them then take them to the dealer for them t check, that way you wont have to get it towed

USNSTI · 03-09-2008, 11:40 AM

Sounds like the same thing that happened to me:

Power steering pump fails, leaves me stranded...

Is it the bolt that is on the left of the alternator, when looking from the front? Mine broke not once but twice. The third one is still holding strong. I am still carrying a spare bolt and some tools in case it breaks again though. Oh and I will be hearing about that bolt breaking for the rest of my life from my dad and brother (both die hard chevy guys

) since it happened while I was on my way home for Christmas.

Anyway, I believe the root cause was the bolts not being torqued properly. Once I got the torque specs and got them all done right, it hasn't happened again. If you are gonna fix it yourself (it's really easy to fix) then make sure you properly torque everything down when you are done....

syxx07baru · 03-09-2008, 11:44 AM

I'm embaressed to say I don't have any tools but a few screw drivers/pliars.
Either I gotta buy em or go to the folks to get em.
Sounds like its something i want the dealer doing the final check.

USNSTI · 03-09-2008, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syxx07baru

I'm embaressed to say I don't have any tools but a few screw drivers/pliars.
Either I gotta buy em or go to the folks to get em.
Sounds like its something i want the dealer doing the final check.

Nothing wrong with not having tools. It is a problem thats easily fixed. Either go to sears and get a nice craftsman set (around $100 will get you a pretty good starter set). Or if you are really ona budget, walmart has toolsets for like $20. Now the walmart ones really are throwaways, and not recomended for any major projects, but just simple stuff it should suffice. That should at least allow you to get it to the dealer under its own power. Then they can do the final check and torque everything for you. Good luck.

If you own an 07 and you are reading this, you should probably go check the torque specs on your alternator bolts. Seems like at least two people on here have had the same problem.

syxx07baru · 03-09-2008, 11:56 AM

Just tinkering wigh it
I saw a long bolt 3 inches or so with a short screw/washer attactched to it.
tried to grab it and the screw fell down in the back of the radiator crevice.
****. Now i'm F'''d.

**elirentz** · 03-10-2008, 03:20 AM

No your not, get up under there and find it. Its worth it to learn how to do simple stuff like this on your own. Did you loosen it up or was it loose enough to fall already? Find the "screw" and tighten the tensioner up and take it to a dealer and tell them you want a new belt under warranty.

Or if you're feeling extra wimpy call the dealership and have them get a tow truck for you and maybe they'll cover it since its warranty but no guarantees on that.

Blackfang · 03-10-2008, 05:02 AM

Every new Subaru within 3/36k comes with roadside assistance. The customer should be the one calling that way they can make contact and give precise directions(if needed).

03-09-2008, 09:39 AM	#1
syxx07baru Amateur STI Driver Car: silver 07 WRX STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 44 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Loose belt on alternator ? I posted a thread earlier with wrong info. I Lost power steering + engine bay noise started after 2nd gear romp. The belt is very loose around alternator and component to the left of Alt. when looking down from front. A bolt is sliding around near the belt causing rattling noise.. Is the belt a 1 piece serpentine? It looks like It runs to the crank pulley. I have appoint Mon. Is It safe to drive there with belt loose? Or should I tow It? Its a mile drive at most. Thanks in advance. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

03-09-2008, 10:01 AM	#2
fractur3 Professional STI Driver Car: 04 WRB STi Fav Mod: UR GT35r Location: Cincinnati Posts: 483 Join Date: Jul 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? it sounds like the belt tensioner came loose maybe? its an easy fix, can you get some pics? if you dont want to fix it then definitely tow it
$fractur3 is offline$

03-09-2008, 10:04 AM	#3
syxx07baru Amateur STI Driver Car: silver 07 WRX STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 44 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? The bolt is loose on a piece it can slide up and down on sideways.

03-09-2008, 10:15 AM	#4
elirentz Gold Member Car: 05 STi, 99 2.5rs Fav Mod: ohlins w/RCE springs, sz55 Location: charleston Posts: 478 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? easy, easy, fix don't waste your time or money taking it to a mechanic. Get a 12 and 10 mm socket, small extension, and a ratchet and fix the tensioner. First you're going to have to take the drive belt covers off, real easy, two bolts and a nut. Find the loose tensioner right next to the alternator, if the belt still looks ok, tighten the long bolt until the belt is pretty tight when you press on it firmly. Then tighten the other bolt on the tensioner to lock it down. Put the covers on and you're done.

03-09-2008, 10:33 AM	#5
syxx07baru Amateur STI Driver Car: silver 07 WRX STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 44 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? I might try to do that just to get it to the dealer so they can check it. Its an 07 under warr. anyway. I just hate towing a car.

03-09-2008, 11:15 AM	#6
fractur3 Professional STI Driver Car: 04 WRB STi Fav Mod: UR GT35r Location: Cincinnati Posts: 483 Join Date: Jul 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? you really dont need to, its 2 bolts that you have to tighten up... not hard at all, at least tighten them then take them to the dealer for them t check, that way you wont have to get it towed
$fractur3 is offline$

03-09-2008, 11:40 AM	#7
USNSTI Silver Member Car: OBP 07 STI Fav Mod: Ring-Shaped Reinforcement Frame Location: San Diego Posts: 1,274 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (6)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? Sounds like the same thing that happened to me: Power steering pump fails, leaves me stranded... Is it the bolt that is on the left of the alternator, when looking from the front? Mine broke not once but twice. The third one is still holding strong. I am still carrying a spare bolt and some tools in case it breaks again though. Oh and I will be hearing about that bolt breaking for the rest of my life from my dad and brother (both die hard chevy guys) since it happened while I was on my way home for Christmas. Anyway, I believe the root cause was the bolts not being torqued properly. Once I got the torque specs and got them all done right, it hasn't happened again. If you are gonna fix it yourself (it's really easy to fix) then make sure you properly torque everything down when you are done....

03-09-2008, 11:44 AM	#8
syxx07baru Amateur STI Driver Car: silver 07 WRX STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 44 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? I'm embaressed to say I don't have any tools but a few screw drivers/pliars. Either I gotta buy em or go to the folks to get em. Sounds like its something i want the dealer doing the final check.

03-09-2008, 11:56 AM	#10
syxx07baru Amateur STI Driver Car: silver 07 WRX STI Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 44 Join Date: Dec 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? Just tinkering wigh it I saw a long bolt 3 inches or so with a short screw/washer attactched to it. tried to grab it and the screw fell down in the back of the radiator crevice. ****. Now i'm F'''d.

03-10-2008, 03:20 AM	#11
elirentz Gold Member Car: 05 STi, 99 2.5rs Fav Mod: ohlins w/RCE springs, sz55 Location: charleston Posts: 478 Join Date: Nov 2005 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? No your not, get up under there and find it. Its worth it to learn how to do simple stuff like this on your own. Did you loosen it up or was it loose enough to fall already? Find the "screw" and tighten the tensioner up and take it to a dealer and tell them you want a new belt under warranty. Or if you're feeling extra wimpy call the dealership and have them get a tow truck for you and maybe they'll cover it since its warranty but no guarantees on that.

03-10-2008, 05:02 AM	#12
Blackfang Senior STI Driver Car: Silver 07 Legacy Location: Somewhere in the universe Posts: 309 Join Date: Mar 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Loose belt on alternator ? Every new Subaru within 3/36k comes with roadside assistance. The customer should be the one calling that way they can make contact and give precise directions(if needed). This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.