What is the alternator belt called?
The serpentine belt is one long, snaking, winding belt that keeps your alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning and—in some cases—your water pump running smoothly and effectively.
Can a pulley on an alternator be replaced?
In many cases it is possible to remove and install the overrunning alternator pulley while the alternator is still on the engine. The plastic protective cap cannot be re-used after it has been removed from the pulley. A replacement cap is supplied with the new part.
What kind of pulley does an alternator have?
Most modern vehicles have clutched or so called one-way or decoupler pulleys. Proper operation of these pulleys is vital to alternator health and the health of other components, especially the serpentine belt tensioner. The most simple way to think about clutches alternator pulleys is to imagine riding a bike – a normal bike not a fixed wheel bike.
How do you replace the alternator pulley on a VW?
Replacing the alternator pulley involves counter-holding the alternator shaft while loosening the pulley securing hut. This typically requires a special alternator pulley bit set which can vary between models. This Metalnerd Alternator Pulley Bit Set will cover all VW & Audi TDI models.
Where are the shims located on an alternator?
Pulley shims come in a pack that has shims for both the top and bottom pulley. The shims are placed either behind the alternator pulley between the pulley and the alternator itself, behind the crankshaft pulley between the crankshaft pulley and the crankshaft or a combination of both.
What’s the best rpm for an aircooled alternator?
These pulleys cannot be used with our kits so you will need to buy a new pulley. Your engine once fired up is going to turn your crankshaft very fast. Most engines will run between 1000RPM and 5000 RPM and some high powered custom engines may get in the realms of 7000RPM.
What are pulleys for alternators made out of?
Quality alternator pulleys are very important. Many OE manufactured pulleys are made from stamped sheet metal steel. These pulleys have a tendency to heat up and warp which will cause premature belt wear, pulley “glazing” and belt failure.
When is it time to replace an alternator pulley?
Alternators take quite a bit of power to run so good belt contact with the pulley is very important. If you have poor belt wrap or your pulley becomes “glazed” a glazed pulley looks very smooth it may be time to replace the pulley. Quality alternator pulleys are very important. Many OE manufactured pulleys are made from stamped sheet metal steel.
What’s the difference between un-clutched and clutched alternator pulleys?
A 99% test is to look at the pulley and see if there is a black, plastic cap on the end. Clutched pulleys will have a cap while un-clutched pulleys typically will not. On the alternator above the end of the pulley is covered by a black cap, thus it is a clutched-type pulley.
Why does an alternator pulley affect the charging?
Also, because your alternator is spinning faster the fan will move more cooling air through the alternator adding to component life, to little air flow can burn up an alternator. Alternator pulley belt wrap, what does that mean?