Mitsubishi Repair: weird problem with belt, eclipse gsx, drive belts

Question
Anthony,

91 eclipse GSX AWD turbo

Got home yesterday and my brake light came on, battery light, and coolant all at the same time--engine got hot and powersteering went out!  went under the hood and the belt running from the alternator, crank, and water pump came off, which would pretty much explain all the lights coming on and everything/but the problem NOW is the belt WONT STAY ON.  we inspected the area and saw nothing in the way of the belt. we put it back on and it fell off AGAIN.  we looked at the belt and saw one of the inside vertical strips was somewhat wore and we thought maybe that caused the belt to skip off the side so we got a new belt.  we put it on and it STILL falls off right after the engine fires.  we are cluesless as to what the heck is throwing the belt off...?
Any ideas?


Answer
Travis,
Sounds like there is something wrong with the amount of tension on the drive belts.  Check your A/C compressor tensioner and bracket.  If the tensioner is broke or the bracket is loose, that can cause your belts to continuously slip off.  Also check your drive belt pulleys (alternator, power steering, A/C compressor).  Even your water pump and crank pulleys could be bent, causing the belts to slip.  Make sure the tensioner bolts on your alternator are tight and that the belt yields the right amount of slack.  A lack of tension, as well as too much tension, can cause your belts to slip off.  Check your service manual for tension tolerances your belts should be at.
Good luck!