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Finally got back from leave and was pretty excited to install everything! I figured I'd start with the alternator today, and whatever else I had time for...
It was one of those days where everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Or at least was a pain in the butt. The airport taking away my vice on my way home didn't help crimping the 1/0 gauge wire either (they said I could use it as a bludgeoning device, I'm in the freaking military!!!)
Anyway, after 12 hours of installing,cussing, throwing tools (hey, it makes me feel better), and finishing up the "big three"...I was excited to see if my car would even start...
Success!!! BUT, my belt is slipping like a mofo. I tightened it to be as tight as it was with my stock alt, but man it was slipping bad and REALLY loud...grrrr...back at it in the morning Posts: 122 | From: Otterberg, Germany | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
new alt prob has a smaller pulley...a little tighter should do the trick
-------------------- Pioneer Premier DEH-P860mp Audio Control Epic 160 Elemental Designs NINe.4 Elemental Designs edi 6000s Q-Logic kicks (6) Elemental Designs NINe.1s (12) Elemental Designs 11Ov.2s 5 batts in the hatch all KnuKonceptz cables (1/0 power 8 subs and 16 fronts) walled in a SVT Focus Posts: 172 | From: DE | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
Yeah, the Mechman pulley looks VERY similar to the pulley that's on the stock alt.
I'm wondering if the belt is too tight or too loose...I was also using WD-40 to try and get some bolts loose, and someone told me if ANY of that got on the belt it would always squeal.
My wife this morning watched the belt while I turned on the car for about 4 seconds, and she said she saw the belt moving really fast...it's just squealing reallllllly loud.
--edit--
Alright, so loosened everything up a bit...as loose as it can get, and the squealing went down quite a bit, but it's still there. Usually on startup is just a few squeaks here and there, but as it warms up it starts squealing again. Still not as bad...
Loosened the belt wayyyy up, to where I could almost remove it by hand...and there wasn't any squeal, just the belt wasn't always catching onto the alternator...no squeal though.
Tightened it up some more, still no squeal. Couldn't tell if it was slipping or not...then I realized I forgot to plug in the 4 prong dongle thingy, plugged that back in, turned on the car and was in squeal heaven again.
I've tried every tension possible, so I finally ordered a new belt...which I don't think is going to do it. Also got a wire brush, and am going to brush off the pulleys to see if maybe they were glazed over by the some sort of slipping (I'm starting to think the squealing isn't the slipping).
It's very strange, because when the tension was really slow, I could SEE the belt wasn't always catching...but no squealing. It's as soon as I plug in the 4 prong dongle thing off of the alternator that the squealing comes back...and it's loudness varies with how tight I make the tensioner...Tighter = Constant LOUD squealing, loose = squeals here and there...
posted
Have you called mechman? A new belt could help if your old one was worn. I always like to get a fresh belt ever time I go to a comp, or when I'm putting in a new alt.
Posts: 76 | From: CA | Registered: Nov 2007
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Yeah, I'm in Germany...so I believe I'm 6 or 7 hours ahead of 'em. Every time I call though, I get the "Our business hours are" pre-recorded thing.
Was hoping maybe to get the mechman himself to post on here, by me posting on here.
Ordered a new belt today, figured I'd give it a shot. The current belt (the "old" one) looks like it's in pretty much perfect condition...will try the new belt though when it comes in. It'll be very interesting putting it on, as there is no way to just take the old one off. There is another belt in the way!!!
Just tried tightening it a bunch, the people over at caraudio.com recommended it, and it still squeals like crazy. I sprayed water on the belt, and started the car again. It didn't squeal for about 5 seconds, but after the water evaporated it started to squeal like crazy again. So obviously the belt is slipping still.
--edit^2--
Tightened about as tight as I could get it...still squealing. The belt didn't have really any give at all, it was tight!!!
Pretty bummed, both my wife and I work...we both work on different shifts...and now we have to haggle between one car!!
I know that on my old truck if my voltage got real low the alt would squeal and then stop. I've also seen it on a few SPL vehicles that start squealing after a burp.
I'd make sure the batteries are charged, you don't want the belt TOO tight, it should have a little play but not a lot
Make sure the belt is the right type of belt for the alternator also, some alts have the slots on them for 3-5 "lines" I don't know the exact term though
Also there are VERY few people on caraudio.com that know what they are talking about so be careful who you listen to over there some people are very helpful at knowledgeable but for every person that knows what they are doing there are a hundred that just troll.
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Posts: 8169 | From: Russellville AL | Registered: Nov 2002
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Well, the battery should be pretty well charged up. After starting the car about 10 times though, probably could use a charging...don't have a battery charger though. Maybe I can find someone that does.
Most of the people at the caraudio.com website were actually helpful. No one really trolled on my thread. It seems as if Honda Accord cars have a crappy setup for HO Alts. Lots of people with a Honda told me to get a GOOD belt and make it tight since the belt doesn't get great contact with the alt pulley.
Wish I would've researched all this beforehand. Wouldn't have spent that much on a new alt...kinda makes me sick.
Still waiting on the new belt though. I hope and PRAY that it fixes the squealing issue...it makes me sick to think about it.
Posts: 122 | From: Otterberg, Germany | Registered: Jun 2000
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what type of belt does your honda use? v-belt? full serpentine, or 4-groove?
Posts: 5502 | From: Columbus, OH - formerly FL | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Honda Accords don't have good belt wrap, that's why we don't like to do a 250 for them. The 200 is pushing it as it is. You need to install a shorter belt, and tighten the crap out of it in order to grip that monster alternator.
BTW, we do have an e-mail address, you know.
BTW, your battery is discharged. You need to charge it. If the battery was fully charged, and no accesories are running, you should have little to no load on the alternator. If it is slipping, that means it is working hard to bring the battery up. Just because a vehicle will start doesn't mean the battery is not discharged. (it says that in the instruction sheet)
Yeah, didn't email because I'd rather talk on the phone. Never had luck getting through though. I remember you telling me the 250 was prone to belt squeal, just don't remember hearing anything about the 200. The 200 is DEFINITELY pushing it, couldn't imagine the pain of a 250.
If you check out the caraudio.com thread, everything has been going well thus far. I must've hit the magic tight spot. Didn't have to recharge the battery either, it still just squeals for about 1-10 seconds on start up, then it's good. Only had it squeal once while a heavy bass load was playing.
I understand about the being able to start without the battery being fully charged.
I have to say, while there is plenty of room to get to the alternator, there isn't much play with how much the alternator can move to get it tighter. Very piss poor setup the honda's have compared to other vehicles. Didn't even think to research that before purchasing the vehicle.
Overall, I'm happy now that the belt slipping isn't much of an issue. My voltage stays at 14.8 and only dips on heavy bass notes. Must need another battery or something (only have a yellow top under the hood).
It's good to hear YOU say that I can tighten the crap out of it. Didn't want to damage the bearings over time with an insanely tight belt.
Posts: 122 | From: Otterberg, Germany | Registered: Jun 2000
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posted
Good to hear. If you are out of adjustment room, just go to a shorter belt. We will never hastle you about warranty claims related to bearings, so tighten away!
Finally got my gatorback (goodyear) belt in, and no more squeal on start up! Talk about a gooooood feeling. It seems like it's just as tight as the other older belt...whatever works though right?
Finally feel happy about everything, and am probably a pro at messing with 1999 Honda Accord alternators. Posts: 122 | From: Otterberg, Germany | Registered: Jun 2000
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