Constant Alternator Belt Breaking

[shawn46]

My Protege has taken a liking to throwing alternator belts, and i can't figure out why! the belt sequels when i put an electrical load on it, such as turning on the headlights, fan ect, and I blow the alternator belt when i drive after dark.

I have changed the alternator twice now, as well as the water pump and all the pullies

i also live in Canada, so it's cold, if that makes a difference

Sorry about the repeat post, i searched around a couple forums first, but i haven't found an answer that works

2001 Mazda Protege
1.6L Manuel

 

[concept]

Have you gone through these posts?

http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-22152.html

Some of the answers include oil dribbling on the belt and the base that the alternator bolts onto being loose, but there are others.

 

[lohimike]

Te Belts on my daughters P-5 were howling and I thought it was the compressor. Mechanic changer alternator, bearings seized. Threw another Alt belt 3 months later. Went threw the forums and tried the 2 new gator back belts $$Big money but no more squeeks!! Go Me

 

[tweety2300]

Are you sure they're tightened correctly?

 

[Tiger Uppercut]

My 1995 Protege threw an alternator belt when I let someone borrow it. Thankfully they didn't keep driving. I installed a new one, but it howled like a banshee at start for about a minute, and sometimes when it was under load. This lasted several months until I finally got off of my ass and tightened it. For my year you just need to loosen the two bolts (12mm socket I think) near the alternator (they faced opposite directions on mine) and then turn the belt tightening bolt clockwise to tighten, and then finally tighten the two alternator bolts to secure everything. Yeah, crappy instructions, but any Haynes manual will show how. I didn't have a method to measure the tension so I just guessed.