[PhillT]

My 1998 Grand Vitara 2.5 Litre V6 has a problem with the air conditioner belt slipping. It is tensioned a little tighter than it should be. It is in good condition.

The belt seems to be fitted incorrectly though.

Looking at the front of the motor, and going clock-wise starting from the crankshaft pulley, it goes under the Idler pulley, then over the Power Steering pulley, then down and around the Aircon. pulley and back to the Crankshaft.

This gives less than 90 degrees of contact between the belt and the A/C pulley. That is never going to work well.

Maybe it should have a longer belt that goes from the Crankshaft pulley straight up around the P/S pulley, down around the A/C pulley, up over the Idler pulley, then back down to the C/S.

This would give a contact of about 160 degrees to the A/C, and reduce the P/S contact by only a few degrees. That is surely how it should be?

There is no picture in the Owners Manual, so could someone enlighten me please?
Is this a Vitara design flaw or have I got the wrong belt fitted incorrectly?

[Damo]

Did a little searching and found this page.

So from what you're saying it looks to me like it's correct as it is. Can't really be any more help than that though i'm afraid.

[PhillT]

Thanks Damo. That is piss poor design. I will see if I can get a belt of the correct length to do it the other way. I am sure a few degrees less on the p/steering wont effect it.

[Damo]

PhillT wrote:

Thanks Damo. That is piss poor design. I will see if I can get a belt of the correct length to do it the other way. I am sure a few degrees less on the p/steering wont effect it.

Yes it does seem a bit odd. I'm pretty sure the G16 is very similar.

I wonder if any other GV owners have had belt slip issues.

[PhillT]

Would have to have I recon, if they are fitted the way mine is.

[royce]

throw the belt out and put a new one on, I have seen so many multi ribs that squeel and whine that look OK its not funny, you dont know how old it is so could of gone hard

G16 uses similar belt setup along with heaps of other engines, yours is the 1st I have heard of a problem

[PhillT]

I did some research and found that the 90 degree wrap angle on my Vitara is way out of any specification I can find for any vee belt or multi ribbed vee belt.

Every reference I could find states that 120 degrees is the MINIMUM angle required.

With that in mind I think I will get a new longer belt and re-route the belt unless anyone can see any problem that might cause?

[PhillT]

I did some research and found that the 90 degree wrap angle on my Vitara is way out of any specification I can find for any vee belt or multi ribbed vee belt.

Every reference I could find states that 120 degrees is the MINIMUM angle required.

With that in mind I think I will get a new longer belt and re-route the belt unless anyone can see any problem that might cause?

[PhillT]

Hmm, browser locked up & didn't seem to upload the post. My apologies.