red dust on serpentine belt - alternator?

skeeter123 · Post by **skeeter123** » 29 May 2010, 17:04

I've got a 2004 S60, just hit 100k miles, no problems. But when looking at the serpentine belt to see if it needs replacing, I see it's got a lot of red dust (rust?) on it. Looking further it seems that the red dust is coming from the alternator, or maybe its just collecting there. I think it may be dust/powder from the alternator brushes wearing out; does anyone know if this is what it is? I've seen other pictures on this forum (for other repairs) which have this red dust showing. If it is the alernator, does it mean it's about to fail? Or maybe fail 10-20K miles from now? If anyone recognizes this condition please let me know what you think, what was done about it.
Thanks in advance...

: Alternator with red dust

: belts with red dust

Georgeandkira · Post by **Georgeandkira** » 29 May 2010, 17:54

Hello, It's A/C clutch material. Kira

skeeter123 · Post by **skeeter123** » 29 May 2010, 18:14

Thanks; is this normal wear&tear at 100K miles, or should I do something about it now (or wait till it fails)?

claymore850 · Post by **claymore850** » 29 May 2010, 18:29

It won't seen cracked , I think you should wash that area with care..(use only some dish soap and water...no engine degreasers, due it dries the belt), and wait some days and look again..if theres no more dust..wait until you belt became with wear signs...or replace now, to start you mile count, and your maintenance records..and feel safe..

billr99 · Post by **billr99** » 30 May 2010, 07:26

skeeter123 wrote:Thanks; is this normal wear&tear at 100K miles, or should I do something about it now (or wait till it fails)?

Depends, I suppose. Mine does the same thing and really always has, but I live in salt air so any exposed steel will rust overnight. As soon as the AC clutch activates a few times, it blows that rust dust all over that end of the engine. I've had this on every car I've had living here so I consider it a normal situation.

Cheers,

Bill

skeeter123 · Post by **skeeter123** » 08 Jun 2010, 08:57

Thanks for the replies; A/C works just fine right now; I'll hold off doing anything for now. I will be replacing the serp belt this fall (when it cools down).