How much will a new starter belt stretch?

[Jeffreynmandy]

I have a 95 gas ds. It has a new belt. After the first couple days it was loose and needed re tightening. Now I'm at the campground and the belt won't catch and It's pretty loose again after maybe 2 or 3 miles.

Is this normal or could there be a problem with the clutch? When I turn it by hand it does seem like it's hitting a spot that's hard to turn.

I'm new to this, any help is appreciated.

[Jimmie]

You have three bolts to tighten. Two on the mounting bracket and one one the adjusting bracket. The belt has to be pretty tight. If need be get someone that has tightened belts before help you or take it to a golf cart mechanic. I can't tell you how tight to do it but there is a fine line between to tight and not tight enough.

[Jeffreynmandy]

Originally Posted by Jimmie

You have three bolts to tighten. Two on the mounting bracket and one one the adjusting bracket. The belt has to be pretty tight. If need be get someone that has tightened belts before help you or take it to a golf cart mechanic. I can't tell you how tight to do it but there is a fine line between to tight and not tight enough.

Thank you for your help. I cranked all three bolts pretty tight, and they were kinda hard to loosen today when I went to retighten the belt.

I loosen all three bolts and have someone use a crow bar to push up on the starter while I tighten it back down. I dont think the bolts could be coming back loose.

It's possible I had it too tight but would that stretch the belt even more?

[Jeffreynmandy]

Reviving this thread.

I put a new belt in today. I ruined the other belt from it spinning.

I put it on as tight as I could get it and it started for a bit and then stopped and wouldn't do anything. I figured it was too tight so I loosened it up a little. It still didn't want to start at first, but it finally did.

I then drove it about 5 miles with a few stops. Do you think it was just too tight or could it be something else? The belt slipping is the only problem I have had.

I'm just wondering why it didn't start right up as soon as I loosened it.


What are some tips to help keep this from happening again?

[Jimmie]

When it will not turn over usually means the engine stopped on the compression stroke. Fully charge the battery with a charger and see if that helps, if it does you may need a better battery with higher cold cranking amps. Hope this helps.