ChatterBank2 mins ago
Really Silly Question For Mechanics Out There...
14 Answers
Why are fanbelts (alternator/powersteering/water pump belt) not the toothed kind? That way they wouldn't squeal when they became worn !
Kind of an obvious question and probably has an obvious answer but I'm not seeing it.
Cheers.
(The first to answer this correctly wins the chance of replacing my fanbelt) :-)
Kind of an obvious question and probably has an obvious answer but I'm not seeing it.
Cheers.
(The first to answer this correctly wins the chance of replacing my fanbelt) :-)
Answers
Best Answer
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.A toothed belt is used for the engine cambelt since the rotation of the engine and the cam must be kept in synchronisation. There is no requirement for synchronicity between the main pulley, water pump, alternator and power steering pump - so it is simpler to use a plain belt.
It would be possible to design a system that used a toothed belt, but his would add complexity, since if the belt were to stretch, the teeth would start jumping/slipping, resulting in rapid belt wear.
Ideally a toothed belt should be in contact with the pulley over at least 180 degrees, adding further complexity to the design; whereas a plain belt can cope with a little more than 90 degrees contact.
For some time now, Ford have fitted dual belts on their engines, such that should one fail, the engine will continue to operate normally.
It would be possible to design a system that used a toothed belt, but his would add complexity, since if the belt were to stretch, the teeth would start jumping/slipping, resulting in rapid belt wear.
Ideally a toothed belt should be in contact with the pulley over at least 180 degrees, adding further complexity to the design; whereas a plain belt can cope with a little more than 90 degrees contact.
For some time now, Ford have fitted dual belts on their engines, such that should one fail, the engine will continue to operate normally.
Poly v belts or multi toothed belts as they are called are more reliable and less prone to slipping, back in the early days race/rally/performance cars were upgraded to these belts, they were called poly V kits.
In the past drive/fan belts were far more prone to snapping its was common to carry a spare also hoses, neither of the items fail like they used to.
In the past drive/fan belts were far more prone to snapping its was common to carry a spare also hoses, neither of the items fail like they used to.
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