New Trip MN, MI, always learning

[TheHollands!]

Left Green Bay WI yesterday heading to Minnesota and Michigan for 5 weeks. Had been only driving 5 mins when I noticed my heat gauge skyrocketing and then the bus shut down. Went back for a look and the blower belt had come off the pulley which explained the heat. Was able to get myself going again and first day ended fine. Does this belt come off the pulley like that normally or is there something I should be correcting? I have an MCI-9 and when I first looked at the bus never having owned one before, that belt scared the crap out of me when the owner opened up the rear door. Heres to smooth travels the rest of the way, Craig

[Tenor]

Brian Diehl is looking for a way to get an alternator from MI to MN. Are you going to the back to the bricks rally in Clio?

Glenn

[bkelly1011]

Hi - Yes, I refer to those as the Belts of Death.  The squirrel cage belt tensioner on an MC-9 (and later models, too) actually uses air cylinder.  If you look at this thread below, it talks about the tensioner, how it works, and includes a picture of the valve itself.  If you look where the belt goes up into the radiator section, the valve is that valve-looking thing just to the left.  It needs to be pointing down in order for the tensioner to work correctly.  If it's not holding enough tension, then someone else who knows what they're doing can probably get you to the next step.   

http://www.busnut.com/bbs/messages/233/13884.html?1150721789

I found out about that the same way you did - overheated an 8V92 102C3 going up a hill - two seconds of "NOT GEN" and then it got very quiet.

Take care,
Brad

[TheHollands!]

Thanks Brad, this is the only time its happened to me, I'll keep an eye on it today as we travel. Craig

[bkelly1011]

Hi Craig -

Yes, especially be careful when just starting out and getting the revs up.  I re-read your comments above and it looks like the cylinder might not have been up to full pressure in that first few minutes and the belt slipped on you.  The problem I had was that the mechanic who worked on it bumped the valve and it wound up somewhere in the middle position, causing the slip.

Safe travels! 
Brad