850 slipping belts

97'850GLT sedan, (WITH optional plastic shield under engine)
going thru water puddles during rain makes the alternator/compressor
blets slide, all lights come on on dashboard, power steering stops
working, just for a few secs, then goes away...
my volvo mechanic claims it's usual onn this model, and not much to
do... i added the shield, helped reduce the problem but it's still a big
issue. especially in south louisiana...
anyone here has this problem?
any ideas?

thanks

 

I haven't driven through that many deep puddles, but I have driven
through one very deep puddle, and this did not happen.

Don't know about that.

Bev

 

SOme time after the 94, they went to a new routing of the serpentine
belt. It used to just touch about 45 degrees of the alternator
pulley. Later, they fitted a longer belt and rerouted it so it
contacts about 180 degrees. This reduced the slippage.
http://www.volvospeed.com/Repair/850_serp.pdf
If you have the old routing, you can change it to the new arrangement
with a new belt..

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This doesn't happen on my '98 S70 and V70. I'd suggest trying a new
belt and make sure that the tensioner is working properly. (You may
need to compare the tension from the tensioner on another car.

 

Sorry to say: Nope, same thing happens here in SoFla.
The puddles don't have to be very deep either.

I'm intrigued by the new belt routing. That should help the
lights coming on, but my biggest gripe is the loss of steering.
It most often happens to me pulling into my driveway, wheels turned
and going through a 1" small puddle that is there in the swale dip.

regards

bullshark

 

DOUG,

i looked and i seem to have the old arrangement... (why is that on a 97,
that's another story though...)
I will change it soon. Will this help with the power steering too? I
assume the power steering shuts off due to lack of electrical power...

thanks a lot for your very to the point reply.

vlad.

 

Power steering is completely mechanical, so the alternator wrap
increase won't help.
I used to lose power in the wet, but that doesn't happen any more. I
don't recall losing steering though, but then, I'm rarely, if ever,
turning in at speed in deep water.



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