2002 Kia Magenis, Alternator belt wearing

cyril2 · 03-16-2008, 09:52 AM

Hi, I am having problems trying to fix a belt wearing issue with my car. I have replaced the alternator, 4 belts and new battery but still have the problem. The belt that runs from the alternator to the top pulley and down around the crank pulley keeps wearing out prematurely. I had it to the dealer and they said it was a loose alternator belt but they were wrong. It cost $140.00 for them to replace the belt. I replaced it in 15 mins. $15.00 for the belt. I have replaced 4 belts in 1 year. If anyone can give me some info it would be appreciated. Thank you

joebunda · 03-16-2008, 10:20 AM

Sorry, but need more info to really say anything. HOW the belt is wearing is important to know. Also, is the engine making any unusual noises.

If you are getting "edge" wear it might mean you have a pulley out of alignment. If the "bottom" is wearing, it might be too loose. If it "top" is wearing, the bearings in your idler pulley may be failing.

I recently had a similar experience with the shop replacing a belt. On the Optima 04 2.4L there are 2 belts. Outside one drives P/S and A/C, and inside one drives everything else. The outside belt jumped a notch and was making a pretty bad squealing noise. Asked the shop to replace it when I went for my routine oil change. 3 1/2 HOURS later they charged me $105 for the belt replacement. Apparently the grease monkey they had start the work replaced the INSIDE belt and his supervisor had to undo his work and do correctly. And then they had the gall to try and charge me an extra $19 because the outer belt interfered with changing the inner belt!

dfwtxpatrick · 03-17-2008, 05:02 PM

On the 04 Optima 4 cyl.

The outer belt runs the Alt>Water Pump>Crank
The inner belt runs the A/C>P/S>Crank.

If a belt jumps a notch, then it has to be loose.

As for the original post, it is VERY possible that the locking bolt for the alternator or Power Steering pump is not being tighted down.

There are two bolts involved when tightening belts.

The Alternator has a tension bolt, this bolt pulls the Alt out, thus tightening/providing tension on the belt. Then there is a lockdown bolt. This keeps the alternator/power steering pump in one place.

If the lockdown bolt is not tightened down, this will over time allow the long tension bolt to loosen, letting the belt slap around and get torn up.

Just one of dozens of possibilities.

joebunda · 03-18-2008, 04:32 PM

Sorry, but I have to disagree with you on the location of the belts.

The belt furthest away from the engine drives the A/C and the P/S pump. The belt closest to the engine drives the alternator and coolant pump.

After looking at Kiatech, I realized just how easy it is to change the belts. The working space is a little tight, but I will definitely do this myself next time.