Vortech idler pulleys seizing and belts breaking

[blubrz]

Originally Posted by blubrz

I just put on the Gates 38006 after my 2nd shredded belt in less than 1k miles. It technically isn't any wider. The 26mm of the Dayco is the width of the mating surface. Including the ridged area its about 31mm, so the Gates is a smidge thinner. Also, the two things I like about it over the Dayco is that due to the design it sits further away from the SC itself and there is now plenty of clearance between it and the charge pipe.
My guess is Vortech chose the Dayco to save a few bucks. It's the only idler on the whole engine that has ridges so I'd say they are useless and are actually causing more issues than anything.

Anyways, I'll be the guinea pig for this one and report back if I have any issues. Also, I have the blue racing Gates belt on order but I will run the standard one I have on there now for an apples to apples to see if this is the fix. At the way my belts were popping it should only be a few weeks and I'll know.

Still going strong with non-racing belt and Gates metal idler. Will update again in a couple weeks.

[v1ru5]

Originally Posted by blubrz

Still going strong with non-racing belt and Gates metal idler. Will update again in a couple weeks.

I just broke a second belt. I ordered the Gates metal idler, blue racing belt, and the updated vortech pipe with the dimple. If that doesn't fix it i dunno what i'm going to do

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by v1ru5

I just broke a second belt. I ordered the Gates metal idler, blue racing belt, and the updated vortech pipe with the dimple. If that doesn't fix it i dunno what i'm going to do

How many miles on the belt?

I have 7K+ on the belt supplied with the vortech kit, and it shows no signs of slipping/cracking or even much wear

[v1ru5]

Originally Posted by DJCarbine

How many miles on the belt?

I have 7K+ on the belt supplied with the vortech kit, and it shows no signs of slipping/cracking or even much wear

This last belt only managed under 2k miles before breaking a rib. Specifically I was hard launching the car while fueled up on e-85 putting out who knows how much torque at the crank (220~ at the wheels), bounced the rear a bit because my 225 tires are too small/ i'm a bad driver, and it snapped a few miles down the road.

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by v1ru5

This last belt only managed under 2k miles before breaking a rib. Specifically I was hard launching the car while fueled up on e-85 putting out who knows how much torque at the crank (220~ at the wheels), bounced the rear a bit because my 225 tires are too small/ i'm a bad driver, and it snapped a few miles down the road.

Stock engine mounts? Might be too much engine movement.

[v1ru5]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Stock engine mounts? Might be too much engine movement.

Perrin engine mounts, perrin transmission back+whiteline transmission mount, I forget the brand but i have a rear diff support bracket, driveshaft shop carbon fiber drive shaft. Hell my drivetrain is so stiff I sometimes have trouble putting it in gear at a stop.

[King Tut]

Originally Posted by v1ru5

Perrin engine mounts, perrin transmission back+whiteline transmission mount, I forget the brand but i have a rear diff support bracket, driveshaft shop carbon fiber drive shaft. Hell my drivetrain is so stiff I sometimes have trouble putting it in gear at a stop.

Does the Vortech use the OEM tensioner still? Perhaps it has gone bad. There has to be something wrong other than the belt to cause these failures.

[Dezoris]

At that point man I would have Vortech resend you some of the spacer and mounting bracket parts, remove and re-install the blower. Something must be out of alignment.

Tensioner is also a good idea as you can tell there is a lot of movement on the stock unit.

[v1ru5]

Originally Posted by King Tut

Does the Vortech use the OEM tensioner still? Perhaps it has gone bad. There has to be something wrong other than the belt to cause these failures.

It does use the OEM tensioner.

Originally Posted by Dezoris

At that point man I would have Vortech resend you some of the spacer and mounting bracket parts, remove and re-install the blower. Something must be out of alignment.

Tensioner is also a good idea as you can tell there is a lot of movement on the stock unit.

What should I be looking for in a failed tensioner?

[Dezoris]

Originally Posted by v1ru5

It does use the OEM tensioner.



What should I be looking for in a failed tensioner?

Failed tensioner would allow too much free play or forward aft wobble. Shaking or movement of the arm to a certain degree is normal. Definitely check the belt tension as well per the service manual and see how much belt deflection is allowed and measure that. Maybe Vortech also has their own belt tension allowance measurement. This is definitely something to contact them on.

[blubrz]

Originally Posted by v1ru5

I just broke a second belt. I ordered the Gates metal idler, blue racing belt, and the updated vortech pipe with the dimple. If that doesn't fix it i dunno what i'm going to do

IMO you technically only needed the pulley, but the rest will give you confidence your ride again for sure...don't blame you at all.
I was thrashing on the car this weekend and the non-race belt is still on with the metal idler and I've had 0 issues.

[DJCarbine]

I just experienced near failure of the pulley (grease had run out and it started to squeal/squeak) and here are my thoughts on the easiest way to remove/replace the pulley, as well as a trick where you can use your OEM pulley removed during the install of the vortech kit.
Hopefully it may get someone out of a tight spot


Easy ziptie tensioner pulley replacement
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=917

Reusing your OEM pulley in place of plastic pulley (removed during kit install, everyone should still have theirs)
Short term fix until proven long term reliability
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...&postcount=920

[Mersd]

Another belt broke today. I was doing some spirited driving with the defrost on because of heating issues. I forgot the defrost activates the ac compressor causing more resistance on the belt. Going to try a gatorback belt this time.

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by Mersd

Another belt broke today. I was doing some spirited driving with the defrost on because of heating issues. I forgot the defrost activates the ac compressor causing more resistance on the belt. Going to try a gatorback belt this time.

Have you tried the gates blue racing belt?