So I have replaced the crank pulley on my 94 ls400 with a low mile unit, replaced the idler and tensioner pulleys. If the car idles, no issues. Light load it will slowly derib belt, if its a heavy load it will eat through the belt in nothing flat.

It isn't throwing the belt but chewing it up rib by rib.


Anyone have any ideas?

 

too much tension it sounds like.

 

Are you sure all the pulleys are turning?

 

Pulleys seem to be turning just fine. Will double check.

Does anyone have ghe correct belt length? 88.5"?

 

Just pulled the current belt off. 1 rib missing. Power steering turns free, alternator has a little drag, a/c turns fine, idler and tensioner pulleys turn fine, fan clutch does its thing.

Im stumped. Is the belt supposed to ride towards the outside of the tensioner pulley? That is where it sits.

 

My thoughts:
One of the pulleys or other driven devices is not in alignment.
There is some item that is within the belt path that is contacting the belt and chewing it up. Have a pic of the past belts and the missing ribs? As well a side shot?

 

how about a pin of the belt on the pulleys? I would think it would be obvious if you just watched the belt rotate while the car is running.

 

I'll have to get one. Everything rotates fine. Doesn't jump or wobble while idleing. Only under a load

 

Will a 98 belt tensioner fit my 94? They are about $100 cheaper

 

its an alignment issue...did u have ur ps pump replaced recently?

 

I haven't replaced anything besides crank pulley, idler and tensioner pulleys

 

That's significant enough that if one or more of those is not in spec or installed in reversed that it will cause the wear mentioned. Make sure that any washer/s are in correct order and there are not two stacked.

 

^What he said. One of the ones you replaced is installed backwards. I did this when replacing my power steering pump. Ate a belt. Realized I put it on backwards.

 

Is there supposed to be a washer behind the tensioner pulley? I will double check everything

 

I had a customer not 2 years ago had the same problem and I replaced the water pump assy bracket that runs the fan clutch and the problem went away.I found that when the rpm went up the fan clutch support bearing would distort and if you look closley you can see the belt start to jump back toward the motor but at low rpm the belt will center itself and run smooth. hope this helps