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Fanbelt keeps slipping off?
- elCookieMuncher
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17 May 2026 21:24 #264450
by elCookieMuncher
Fanbelt keeps slipping off? was created by elCookieMuncher
Hi everyone, this is my first post here. I'm really hoping someone smarter and more experienced would be able to help me out.
I've got a 2001 suzuki Jimny 1.3 petrol m13a.
I'll preference this with how I got here in the first place, I took the car off-roading recently at Pickadilly 4x4, went through some deep mud/water, and the fanbelt came off. It proceeded to get stuck behind the crank wheel, and hooked over the alternator/water pump. I had no tools and had to drive home like that, which meant that the car did overhead, but by some miracle I didn't break the engine.
Back to the Fan Belt:
I'm doing the usual, belt goes over the crank (rather than behind it), around the Water pump, and tightened using the alternator. However the second I spin up engine, the belt comes flying off.
Now I've gone so far as to over tighten with the belt just in the hopes that that would stop it from flying off, but alas nothing I do stops it. within half a second it slips off the Crank wheel and goes behind it. It stays over the water pump and alternator, but comes off the Crank each time. Is there something wrong with my setup? When viewing the belt from below, it does seem like it's at an angle...? Right now I'm only worried about the alternator/Fan belt, not too worried about the power steering, I've removed that pully for the time being so I can focus on the alternator.
Here's a video of it coming off from below: youtube.com/shorts/zJL0AnURc10?feature=share
And here's a video of a close up of the Crankwheel with the belt on it: youtube.com/shorts/U9FmzF_fOg0?feature=share
A view of the Belt from below:
I'd appreciate it if anyone can give me some guidance as to why this keeps happening. I'm eager to get back on the road (or I suppose off of it)
Thanks!
I've got a 2001 suzuki Jimny 1.3 petrol m13a.
I'll preference this with how I got here in the first place, I took the car off-roading recently at Pickadilly 4x4, went through some deep mud/water, and the fanbelt came off. It proceeded to get stuck behind the crank wheel, and hooked over the alternator/water pump. I had no tools and had to drive home like that, which meant that the car did overhead, but by some miracle I didn't break the engine.
Back to the Fan Belt:
I'm doing the usual, belt goes over the crank (rather than behind it), around the Water pump, and tightened using the alternator. However the second I spin up engine, the belt comes flying off.
Now I've gone so far as to over tighten with the belt just in the hopes that that would stop it from flying off, but alas nothing I do stops it. within half a second it slips off the Crank wheel and goes behind it. It stays over the water pump and alternator, but comes off the Crank each time. Is there something wrong with my setup? When viewing the belt from below, it does seem like it's at an angle...? Right now I'm only worried about the alternator/Fan belt, not too worried about the power steering, I've removed that pully for the time being so I can focus on the alternator.
Here's a video of it coming off from below: youtube.com/shorts/zJL0AnURc10?feature=share
And here's a video of a close up of the Crankwheel with the belt on it: youtube.com/shorts/U9FmzF_fOg0?feature=share
A view of the Belt from below:
I'd appreciate it if anyone can give me some guidance as to why this keeps happening. I'm eager to get back on the road (or I suppose off of it)
Thanks!
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18 May 2026 01:38 #264451
by fordem
Replied by fordem on topic Fanbelt keeps slipping off?
The picture clearly shows the belt running at an angle which suggests the pulleys are out of line, you need to determine why and fix that.
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18 May 2026 03:29 #264452
by Lambert
Temeraire (2018 quasar grey automatic)
Pavement princess or back road menace?
Bellerophon (2024 grello van daily)
ADORJ Attention Deficit Ooooh Race Jimny!
Replied by Lambert on topic Fanbelt keeps slipping off?
Given the age of the car I'd be surprised if the rubber laminate in the crank pulley was intact. It might feel OK with the tension from the other belt but if you take them both off you shouldn't be able to feel any movement. Another test is with the belts off have an assistant start the car while you observe the pulley for wobble. It's also possible that something is bent like the alternator bracket. And finally and I hate to be the bearer of bad news but once an m13 engine has been allowed to over heat it's highly likely that the head gasket will have failed, they are very susceptible to damage when they get hot but they are usually good at keeping cool if everything is working properly.
Temeraire (2018 quasar grey automatic)
Pavement princess or back road menace?
Bellerophon (2024 grello van daily)
ADORJ Attention Deficit Ooooh Race Jimny!
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18 May 2026 07:52 #264453
by facade
If it suddenly breaks, go back to the last thing that you did before it broke and start looking there
Replied by facade on topic Fanbelt keeps slipping off?
First video: the pulley wobbles- start with a new crank pulley, on the M13 there is a major design flaw with the pulley and the belt tension rips it apart. They are either about to come apart or they have just been changed....
Second video and photo: the belt isn't straight. It won't be if the crank pulley is failing, the belt tension flips the pulley rim sideways, but you could also have a problem with the alternator alignment.
Fit a new crank pulley first, and then worry about checking the alignment.
Martin sells the pulley in the shop, they are such a common failure that pretty much every online retailer keeps stock as well.
Second video and photo: the belt isn't straight. It won't be if the crank pulley is failing, the belt tension flips the pulley rim sideways, but you could also have a problem with the alternator alignment.
Fit a new crank pulley first, and then worry about checking the alignment.
Martin sells the pulley in the shop, they are such a common failure that pretty much every online retailer keeps stock as well.
If it suddenly breaks, go back to the last thing that you did before it broke and start looking there
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18 May 2026 07:57 #264454
by DrRobin
2020 blue SZ5 (one of the last to be registered in the UK)
Ex 2011 Blue Jimny SZ4
Northumberland Jimny Blog
Replied by DrRobin on topic Fanbelt keeps slipping off?
Mine did the exact same a few years ago, put the belts back on and they came straight off. Once I took the crank pulley off it was completely gone, so fitted a new one and all was good.
2020 blue SZ5 (one of the last to be registered in the UK)
Ex 2011 Blue Jimny SZ4
Northumberland Jimny Blog
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18 May 2026 09:17 #264457
by elCookieMuncher
Replied by elCookieMuncher on topic Fanbelt keeps slipping off?
Thank you for the feedback everyone!
So it seems my next course of action is to pull the crank wheel off, and see if it's warped/broken and in need of being replaced.
I'll report back once I've managed to do so...
Thanks again for all the advice!
So it seems my next course of action is to pull the crank wheel off, and see if it's warped/broken and in need of being replaced.
I'll report back once I've managed to do so...
Thanks again for all the advice!
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