My 16 year old son bought a 1987 240 DL. It ran fine for a month or so. Then one day, it quit starting. After replacing the battery (which tested bad at AutoZone), and taking the alternator off and having it tested (it tested good), we found the problem to be that the belts were slipping. That also explained the squealing. So, we tightened it with the tension screw and it was great! No squealing and 14V from the alternator. It ran good for 1 day and then back to squealing and less than 13V. The first question I have is, Why the heck does it have 2 alternator belts? I noticed the first time that we tightened it, one was really tight and the other was not so much. It had a little give to it. Secondly, I was reading on another site that the "bushings" may need to be replaced and that it could cause the belts to not line up correctly if the bushings were worn or damaged. I don't see any rubber "bushings" on it right now. Should it have them? I guess ultimately, I need to figure out if I just need new belts (they don't look that bad to me, just can't seem to get the one as tight as the other) or if new bushings to hold the alternator better in line? I am trying not to spend the poor guys money on something that he doesn't need. He already had to buy a $100 battery and has broken down 2x in town during this process of figuring this out.
Thank you for your time in advance!

 

It has two belts as an extra added precaution. One breaks, you can still limp along to get to a place where you can get it fixed. This is important since the belts don't turn just the alternator but also the water pump.

Check to make sure the belts are the same size. You will have to pull them off to check them though unless you can still read the size info on the belt. If they are the same size, it may be the alternater mounting bushings. Really, the best way to check these is to pull the alternator and inspect them. I think there are three of them but check the postings here. Or better yet, if you have a service manual (Haynes, Chiltons, Bently) check in there.

 

http://www.ipdusa.com/Volvo-200/Engi...9-258-465-277/

There are two bushings on the bottom of the alternator, the third connects the tensioner to the block.

 

Hey thanks for the response guys. I will tackle taking the alternator off again after work tonight. I will check and make for sure that the belts are the same length. I may even be able to read the writing on them still. I remember that I could read some of it atleast. Also, I may pull of the tensioner bracket and see if I can figure out where these bushings are. It is funny that I took off the alternator before, but have no memeory of seeing these. On the bottom bolt that attaches the alternator to the block, would the bushings have maybe stayed attached to the bracket on the car when I removed the alternator? I know when I pulled the bolt out, there were various washers, but I don't remember bushings. Also, I checked the local AutoZone website and can not find them. Hopefully someplace has the bushings locally so that I don't have to order them and wait.

 

Didn't see them online at O'relly or autozone, NAPA says to call the store:
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Res...mber&Nty=1&N=0

 

Well.... took the alternator off and found the 2 bushings on the bottom. Looks like they have recently been replaced. I'm not sure if they would show any wear normally, but these "look" almost new. Also the belts are the same exact belts and are fairly new. I am thinking that the alternator is just a little out of alignment when bolted down. It looks like the top bracket (the one with the tensioner) might be a little bent. Thinking about trying a new one of these.

 

BTW, you guys are awesome. Everything you have told me has been dead on. I really appreciate all your help thus far.

 

Try a little toothpaste on the alternator belts to break the glaze on them.

Regards, Andrew.

 

Thanks Typhoon. I will try that tonight.

 

I've heard that comet also works. Never tried it though.