Alternator Belt

Stu Jackson · Jul 20, 2015

The very FIRST thing you should is to STOP even starting that engine.

Until you get the upgraded alternator bracket kit and align it properly.

Alternator mount/bracket upgrade Important safety upgrade for M25 (not XP) owners by Stu Jackson

There's lots more M25 engine info in that tech wiki.

njlarry · Jul 20, 2015

Let me know if you find out how to fix it. I have the same problem on my m25xpb. The crankshaft seems to be a quarter of an itch forward of the other two pulleys. There seems to be no adjustments to the alternator bracket.

Richard19068 · Jul 21, 2015

njlarry said:
Let me know if you find out how to fix it. I have the same problem on my m25xpb. The crankshaft seems to be a quarter of an itch forward of the other two pulleys. There seems to be no adjustments to the alternator bracket.

The replacement bracket, as per Stu's suggestion, should allow you to make the proper alternator adjustment. It did for me. The real reason to make the change though is to keep the whole thing from breaking and doing possibly irreparable damage.

mz4wheeler · Jul 21, 2015

Depending on whether it needs to come forward of backward, my first instinct would be to just shim it with various washers until it lines up.

Stu Jackson · Jul 21, 2015

njlarry said:
Let me know if you find out how to fix it. I have the same problem on my m25xpb. The crankshaft seems to be a quarter of an itch forward of the other two pulleys. There seems to be no adjustments to the alternator bracket.

Universal M-25 & M25XP Alternator Bracket Upgrade & Alignment 101 IMPORTANT

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,7917.0.html

Maine Sail · Jul 21, 2015

Boomvang said:
My alternator belt is wearing badly because the crankshaft pulley is not in alignment with the alternator pulley. The alternator needs to move forward about 1/8" or 3/16" of an inch to achieve alignment. All the equipment is original and none of the pulleys appear to have been moved. There is no adjustment on the alternator bracket. There is a black streak of belt dust on the engine compartment wall next to the alternator that has been there since I have owned the boat. My boat is a 1984 34 O'Day that I have owned for 5 years. The wear is not terrible, but I would like to get it corrected my alternator is sucking in the belt dust. Everything appears to be untouched since the engine was manufactured. I can of course grind some metal out of the bracket and alternator and move it forward. I don't understand how this miss alignment has occurred. Any thoughts?

Belt dust and alignment will be the least of your worries if that alternator bracket is not replaced & upgraded to the new style ASAP. Your alignment issue is possibly due to a failing bracket or timing gear case...

Universal M-25 Alternator Bracket Upgrade (LINK)

mz4wheeler · Jul 21, 2015

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index...versal-diesel-alternator-bracket-retrofit.cfm

Stu Jackson · Jul 21, 2015

Since this is the second link to that same advice, perhaps you'll take it seriously.

You really should.

Good luck.

mz4wheeler · Jul 21, 2015

Stu Jackson said:
Since this is the second link to that same advice, perhaps you'll take it seriously.

I'm thinking what would *I* do if this were MY boat.

Certainly that new mount looks great, and not THAT expensive (I thought it would be a $500 ripoff). On the other hand, this is a 1984 engine, which somehow survived all these years without incident. Makes me suspicious that the boats where this failed had other issues or suffered severe neglect, but I have no proof of course.

If this were a true safety issue, then why didn't Universal offer free retrofit kits. Instead, they just "recommend" the kit.

Also, it looks like quite a large retrofit with the potential of many things going wrong for the average owner, like seized bolts, etc. So it may end up being a very expensive retrofit if performed by a professional mechanic.

Also, if the alternator is otherwise sturdily mounted, I would "try" a couple of thick washers to shim it forward, and take my chances. Since this would NOW be a known issue (to me), I'd certainly inspect it frequently to verify things are OK.

But that's me... I've also done my fair share of half-ass-itis fixes in my day.

njlarry · Jul 21, 2015

of course the M-25 and the M-25 XPB are two very different engines with different alternator brackets. Is there a different bracket for the XPB? However as the water pump and alternator pulleys are lined up I think the problem is with the crankshaft pulley. Any way of moving it 1/4 inch aft?

Also we seem to be talking about two very different issues, the old aluminum brackets failing vs pulley alignment?

njlarry · Jul 21, 2015

But that's me... I've also done my fair share of half-ass-itis fixes in my day.

[/QUOTE]

Consider it a special talent...I do

Stu Jackson · Jul 21, 2015

The pictures of his engine are an M25. I have one, I know them.

The old bracket failed on my engine. I want others to know about it and know there is a fix.

If you read Maine Sail's link, you'll learn that when the old bracket lets go it can break the timing gear cover. They don't make them anymore.

That breaks the whole bleepin' engine. $7 to $12K later for a $200 fix is a pretty good investment to me.

Free brackets? Know any lawyers? Guess not. They put the improved brackets on the M25XP engines. Same engine 2 more hp, larger HX and the bracket.

Your post is denial in its finest.

mz4wheeler said:
I'm thinking what would *I* do if this were MY boat.

Certainly that new mount looks great, and not THAT expensive (I thought it would be a $500 ripoff). On the other hand, this is a 1984 engine, which somehow survived all these years without incident. Makes me suspicious that the boats where this failed had other issues or suffered severe neglect, but I have no proof of course.

If this were a true safety issue, then why didn't Universal offer free retrofit kits. Instead, they just "recommend" the kit.

Also, it looks like quite a large retrofit with the potential of many things going wrong for the average owner, like seized bolts, etc. So it may end up being a very expensive retrofit if performed by a professional mechanic.

Also, if the alternator is otherwise sturdily mounted, I would "try" a couple of thick washers to shim it forward, and take my chances. Since this would NOW be a known issue (to me), I'd certainly inspect it frequently to verify things are OK.

But that's me... I've also done my fair share of half-ass-itis fixes in my day.

Mickstr · Jul 22, 2015

I have a problem on my 272 Westerbeke 10/2 in which the pivot/adjustment bolt snapped off (I'd just started the engine, not sure why it happened just now..). The 10/2 also has this bolt passing through a cast tab off the crankcase. Is there a retrofit also available for the Westerbeke 10/2?

Stu Jackson · Jul 22, 2015

Mickstr6 said:
I have a problem on my 272 Westerbeke 10/2 in which the pivot/adjustment bolt snapped off (I'd just started the engine, not sure why it happened just now..). The 10/2 also has this bolt passing through a cast tab off the crankcase. Is there a retrofit also available for the Westerbeke 10/2?

Mick,

I don't know. You should find the Westerbeke engine bulletins.

http://c34.org/bbs/index.php/topic,5078.msg31122.html#msg31122

Maine Sail · Jul 22, 2015

Boomvang said:
You have my attention. I am wondering how wide spread these failures are?

They are very wide spread and they are still failing to this day. Yes some got lucky, for many years, and ignored the warnings, but one of my customers now has a shiny new Beta thanks to this level of thinking....

$200.00 vs. $14,000.00

It is wide enough that the entire stock of timing gear cases has been wiped out of existence. This means that if your timing gear case fractures it is going to likely mean an engine replacement or to find a complete used parts engine. I know of a couple that were welded back together but they often fail in such a manner that welding is not possible.

Sefuller · Jul 22, 2015

Same issue with our Oday 34

Universal M25. Actually just read MaineSail's link and got my question answered! Need to move my alternator bracket forward. One more thing on the project list for this weekend.

Thanks, Maine (and Stu, looking at the photo credits)!

jibes138 · Aug 3, 2015

Boomvang, why did you pull the manifold off the engine?

Your exhaust looks like what I just installed on my motor, schedule 80 pipe and fittings, but I don't see your water injection? My water injection is in the vertical pipe going down to the vetus water lock muffler.

I was able to leave the manifold on for the alternator bracket installation and the old studs were long enough that I didn't have to put new studs in the cylinder head. I was worried about breaking them trying to replace them. Now that yours is off you can mask it and paint it up to look like new! Good luck with your service bulletin upgrade.

Alternator Belt

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