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jimsutton	My Prowler lost the AC belt last night ??? This has happen 2 times in the last month .. I checked the idler and the bearing seems to be OK . and the AC clutch seems Ok also .. The OEM belt is a notched type and it is hell to change because You need to take the main belt off to change the AC belt .. I did notice a smell of burning rubber just before it came off .Other than that the AC has been fine ?? . Looking for some input I will be putting another one on today .Thanks .
alrtg	Jim, The A/C belt on my 2000 Kat came off at low speed a couple weeks ago. I barely heard it and it did not take the serpentine belt with it like it could have if I were going much faster. I did some research and found some threads from years ago on the topic. What I learned is that these belts require a high tension around 105 pounds and it is best to use a belt tension gauge. If no tension gauge is available, it was suggested to get the belt as tight as possible. There were many replies from others that mirrored your experience of losing multiple belts in a row. Some people recommended using only the Dayco belts, while some cautioned against the belts with the notches. I bought the Dayco serpentine belt along with the Dayco V belt for the A/C that has the notches on the outside edge (not the style with notches on the inside part that contacts the pulley) and hope to get around to working on it this weekend. I had considered taking the car to the dealer and having the Viper certified tech do the job along with a transaxle service, change/flush out the coolant, and brake fluid all at the same time. I decided I am going to hold off for now and do the belts myself and the rest in the fall. For reference, my Kat has approximately 43,500 miles on it. http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/003572.html http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000553.html http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/002254.html http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/003384.html http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/003750.html This one relates to cars with the Paxton unit installed. http://www.prowleronline.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/003310.html oops, I think it is the lug nuts that need to be 105 foot pounds. I must not have been wide awake yet this morning. This message has been edited by alrtg on 06-28-2014 at 05:34 PM
catfish	the belt tension is not 105 lbs its 150 ft lbs.incorrect tension and it will lose a belt.they must be set to fact ft.lbs.you must use a belt tension gauge. ------------------
jimsutton	Are You saying torque to 105 ft , lbs ???? I may have not had it that tight .. but will for sure this time .Thanks .....
padroo	I have been tightening v belts for over 40 years in an industrial setting. Some gang belts 6 belts wide and 16 feet long. Check alignment and make them as tight as you think they should be then tighten them a little more. New belts will stretch and they will seat in a short time. Jmo
bjprowler	When in doubt, check your Prowler Service Manual (Page 7-24) Jan is right (IF it is a "used" belt). The specifications for the A/C belt tension calls for 190 +/- 10 lbs for a "NEW" belt with a footnote calling for a 5 minute "run-in time" after installing the new belt (at 190 lbs) and then readjust the tension to 190 lbs. The chart also shows that "USED" belts should have a tension of 150 lbs. .....You can buy a gauge from Amazon for 20 bucks.....It's such a hassel to change the belt that it's $20 well spent to get it right the first time.......If you don't, it's just a matter of time till it comes off again. http://www.amazon.com/Krikit-V-Belt-Tension-Gauge-91107/dp/B000AOEJOE This message has been edited by bjprowler on 06-28-2014 at 08:41 AM
jimsutton	My thanks to every ones input on this problem . Time to get to work on this .. Jim ...
catfish	a while back didnt feel like changing my belts so took it to a repair shop to have them do it,also et them use my tension gauges to get it right.guess they didnt believe me and didnt set the correct tension.after about 5 miles of driving the belts were making noise.checked the tension,called the owner of shop and he replaced again at his cost. ------------------
jimsutton	I found a Gates Krikit v-belt Tension Gauge for $25.00 I will get one .. Better than using the finger push way .. I got the belts changed Bit I think now they are to tight ..
beachcat	I pushed on mine the other day just to see and I was surprised how tight they are. Hardly any flex in them.
jimsutton	Up date on AC belt .. checked ft.lbs on the belt when tight could only get 45 lbs .. Should be 190-10 after run time .. I found that the AC Aluminum idler housing Has broken / crack and I may have missed it the first time ??? Need to find one some where ?? I guess I will check with Chrysler Monday ..
Gort	quote: Originally posted by jimsutton: Up date on AC belt .. checked ft.lbs on the belt when tight could only get 45 lbs .. Should be 190-10 after run time .. I found that the AC Aluminum idler housing Has broken / crack and I may have missed it the first time ??? Need to find one some where ?? I guess I will check with Chrysler Monday .. A spray of belt dressing every month or two won't hurt. I've used hundreds of cans over the years in the plant I worked in. It works. it makes the belt grip better. it doesn't spin off and make a mess,it's used in industry every day. Try it. http://www.valvoline.com/products/consumer-products/spray-lubricants/belt-dressing/ This message has been edited by Gort on 07-06-2014 at 05:56 PM
catfish	belt dressing sucks,useless.after it wears off they make more noise than ever.i use a very small sqirt of wd40,gets rid of the noise. ------------------
jimsutton	Car fish -- the AC Tensioner . Dealer cost is $302.00+tax .. That is a rip ..for that pot metal ..