BREAKING News!!!!! REALLY BREAKING NEWS! After a full 9month term & just 2k mi, the 12yr old tensioner broke. The cast alloy couldn't take the varying load w/ constant resistance from the adjustable stop.



How it was discovered? Had a nagging low rpm (around 900-1krpm) vibration from full stop. This was on the way home from a rewarding road trip. Engine response & power delivery was unhampered & smooth. This vibration reminded me of the noise from the notched plate tensioner stop I used to have w/ the stock damper. Checked the tensioner & upon attempting to check the bolt tightness w/o force, the Alta just fell lifeless on my ATI. Blessed to have caught it early. Oh well, twas good while it lasted. Now, I'm forced to go back to the lousy old damper. That's the saddest part.

 

Can anyone point me STRETCH FIT Belt product codes from Gates, Contitech or whoever to replace our stock 6PK1388 & reduced pulley belts? Newer cars like Subaru have no tensioners anymore, just Stretch Fit belts.

Thanks!

 

that would be an interesting change

 

Stretch-Fit + that adjustable stop would be the ideal combo. Tensioner won't be too stressed. You won't have to periodically adjust tension; replace any damper or its bushes; nor worry about the collateral damage of snapping the belt.

 

Like this?
http://www.gates.com/products/automo...etch-fit-belts

I haven't looked for stretch fit myself. I think key will be to find someone who carries them, and can look them up backwards. I mean if you start by telling them your make/model they won't find the stretch fit.
The dimension of stock belt are in attachment. I think the original was a continental brand. The gates brand equiv. is K060547, K06 13/16 in. x 55 1/4 in.

Let us know if you can track down a stretch fit in that size, or a size smaller for those with reduced sc-pullies, and more important -how does it work on the car.

 

Another awful design from ALTA not surprised

 

I figured it would take a little while before the failure feedbacks started rolling in.

 

i ditched mine after 1k miles. there was nothing wrong with the part physically, but it caused the belt to slip at high rpm.

jan was in the middle of tuning my car. he said were getting strangely low numbers for the mods i have. i told him everything else ive done and the alta tensioner was a red flag.

we removed it, replaced with stock tensioner, and made an additional 18whp!

the alta tensioner is a great concept, but, mini put a self-adjusting tensioner in there for a reason. flimsy or not, it needs to be able to adapt with the rpm.

 

We'll just have to bear & contend w/ changing the tensioner damper periodically til we get those stretch belts.
I've a spare tensioner where i extracted just the damper before i tried the alta. That will go in for now.

 

Resurrecting the call for Stretch Belts....
My stock Stabilus damper is limp after just a lil over 5k mi....It's getting a bit tiring.

If anyone has a lead to 6PK1375-1388mm equivalent StretchFit Belt sizes from Contitech, Gates or whomever, please do share...Thanks!

 

Interesting concept, want a stretch fit belt!!

Btw, I discussed the ALTA adjustable tensioner with my mechanically inclined friend and he said there was absolutely no way it could be a good idea. No added benefits.

So, $50, about 5k miles, and an OEM tensioner later I'm definitely glad I didn't go with ALTA!

 

Been running mine for ~10k miles and no problems. The trick is to not tension the belt too much, but not too little either. There's a sweet spot. Too much tension and you break the pot metal that the tensioner assembly is made of. Too little tension and the belt slips. Took me a week of small adjustments to get it dialed in correct. I can't vouch if the stock tensioner works better, but I hate the fact that the damper seems to get weak very quickly.

How tight did you put the tension when you set it before it broke ?