Alternator drive belt cracked

Maybe I am expecting too much

My TF is 2 years and 8 months old and the drive belt started squealing like hell when starting the engine. I was going to re-tension it but on inspecting the belt it had quite a few small splits in the rubber so decided against re-tensioning as it would put more strain on the belt.

I got a replacement yesterday so now the belt is correctly tensioned and the squeaking gone but the original belt has deteriorated quite quickly, by comparison our 2005 Freelander is still on its original belt. Maybe the heat of the engine bay doesn't help. The one fitted by MG is a Gates type so not rubbish.

mgfmad wrote: Maybe I am expecting too much

My TF is 2 years and 8 months old and the drive belt started squealing like hell when starting the engine. I was going to re-tension it but on inspecting the belt it had quite a few small splits in the rubber so decided against re-tensioning as it would put more strain on the belt.

I got a replacement yesterday so now the belt is correctly tensioned and the squeaking gone but the original belt has deteriorated quite quickly, by comparison our 2005 Freelander is still on its original belt. Maybe the heat of the engine bay doesn't help. The one fitted by MG is a Gates type so not rubbish.

I can only think that the belt is subject to more extremes of temperature than is usual. Over heated and also vulnerable to being showered with cold water from wet roads.:shrug:

What mileage has the TF done?

18K is the mileage