Beta Marine 20hp Soot

[FinnON]

Hello,
I have noticed soot building up on my engine. The engine starts and run's like a charm but I am still relatively new to engines and am trying to prevent an issue in the future.

Anyone have any ideas what might be causing this? Thank you in advance.

[FPNC]

That black is not soot. It is black rubber dust from the v-belt. Check belt tension and replace the belt if it is worn. Non use will allow fine rust to build up on the steel pulleys. When you restart again, this fine rust can accelerate belt wear and the resultant black dust buildup.

[LittleWing77]

+1

Was thinking the same thing, FPNC, based on the splatter pattern...

Take care of that Beta, Finn! They're great little engines.

LittleWing77

[tkeithlu]

And, welcome to the forum, FinnON.

[Key Wester]

There is a retrofit kit available that will upgrade your old V belt drive to flat belt drive. Flat belt drive has been standard on all Beta Marine engines for several years, as it will not slip, and that black dust problem is eliminated. Please contact me for details. Joe [Beta Marine dealer]

[Uncle Bob]

Hi and welcome. As others have said, rubber dust from the belt, probably slipping a little, and from the pic I notice that the adjustment is pretty much at the end of its travel so the belt is probably well worn, possibly the incorrect belt originally or horribly stretched. A new one is in your future.

[TrentePieds]

Yes. Remove the belt, clean up till things are bright and shiny again, put on a new belt and tension it correctly. Bob'll be you uncle again — sez my Beta 20 :-)

A quick and dirty test for tension is that if you press the long bit of the belt twixt alternator and front pulley on the crankshaft up towards the water pump you should be able to "push it inward" at the midpoint about an inch. Less than that and it is too tight causing wear to the bearings in pump and alternator. More than that it is too loose and you get this dust buildup and a shortened belt life.

Best, of course, is to use a tensiometer to test it.

TrentePieds

[Stu Jackson]

Belt dust or oil breather hose not routed to engine air intake.


Nice new engine, learn all you can about it and it will serve you well.

[Opie91]

Originally Posted by FinnON

Hello,

I have noticed soot building up on my engine. The engine starts and run's like a charm but I am still relatively new to engines and am trying to prevent an issue in the future.



Anyone have any ideas what might be causing this? Thank you in advance.

The serpentine belt is the way to go for the alternator. Call Beta North Carolina they are the North America distributor. All of the dealers mostly drop ship from there anyway and do not stock anything beyond filters/water pump impellers.

For tech support talk with Stanley or Farron. Very knowledgeable and straight shooters. They won’t over sell you.

252-249-2473