bad luck with alternator belt

[miata5620]

So on monday i was helping out my father inlaw work on his car when we went to look at mine and he noticed the alternator belt was looking in bad shape so i ran to the store got a new one and put it on. at this point i am thinking lucky me caught it before it went. then yesterday morning on 316 on the way to work the new belt broke and i had to park the car and walk 2 miles back to the house wake the wife up and get her to take me to work. her dad came and picked up my car on his roll back and towed it back to the apt. i just love how when you think you get lucky and fix something before it goes you still end up getting screwed.

[metalman]

So, what happened? ****ty replacement? Tensioner too tight?? Bolt snap?
I have seen lots of alternator bolt and tensioner issues out there lately.

[simontibbett]

Is it making a rattling sound?

[miata5620]

pretty sure it was just a bad belt, i replaced it again not to long ago and everything seems to be running fine now. ill have to take it for a test drive tonight to make sure everything is good now but i want to make sure he wife is home in case it breaks again and i need a ride.

[RotorNutFD3S]

Just make sure that it's not tightened too much. That'll snap a belt quick!

[miata5620]

yeah this is my first time dealing with manual belt Tensioners and i must say i like automatic ones much more now. but yeah i did make sure it was tight without being to tight.