Can the belt ruin a new alternator??

[ikassi]

Backstory.... -2008 BMW X5 3.0 (157km) Had the alternator replaced. A few weeks later the battery died. Got new battery installed then a few days later the battery warning came on again for the new battery too. Tested alternator and it was 11.5..... called mechanic that installed it previously with 1 year warranty and he replaced it as well as towed it for free. He said it got ruined because something about vibrations from the belt and tensioner. His report says "No more warranty on alternator due to a mechanical malfunction of drive belt tensioner". So he told me if I don't replace the belt kit (almost 1k) before I pick the car up from him that I would have zero warranty on the new alternator and it would get ruined really quick. I picked up the car and drove it home and I'm scared to drive it anywhere and I'm broke so I can't put any more money into this car.

I don't know shit about fixing cars so I'm just asking if the thing he's talking about actually ruins the alternator???

Every single time I see him he wants me to pay for something else.. I get it it's an old car but c'mon i dont even hear a noise from the belt! Also the 1st time he changed the alternator he said he got the wrong one and it didn't fit and now he said he got a CHEAPER one because it came out of his pocket. Is this guy just installing shitty alternators or is he completely right about the belt??

[cbpip]

Find a new Indie. Tensioner won't damage the alternator and cost for new belt, and Tensioner is about 100.00 plus an Hour of labor.

Important to get a new belt, tensioner and pulley installed if infact bad. Belt can sometimes get wrapped up on the harmonic balancer and sucked into the crank seal which will destroy the engine.

[tracer bullet]

^^^ Agreed to find a new shop. You mentioned 2 important things:

Originally Posted by ikassi

I don't know shit about fixing cars

Every single time I see him he wants me to pay for something else

Sounds like he didn't fix the right problem the first time.

If it's running right now, it's probably all fine and will stay that way. It's a good idea every so often, including right now for your car if it's never been done, to replace the belt. I'd go with the standard pulley and tensioner replacement as well. But not for $1000, that's for sure. I just did my 2015 X3 a few weekends ago in under an hour with a $150 kit. That'd be $250 - $300 maybe for a pro with labor. Whatever the final number it's way under a grand for sure.

Get your car, and go somewhere else. And yes, it's fine to drive unless it's been sabotaged in some way.