breaking alternator belt

[brandi_neonate]

I have a 99 mazda protege and my alternator belt keeps on breaking. My dad has replaced the belt 3 times and changed the alternator out twice. But when he puts on a new belt, he will tighten it and then let it run for awhile and drive around with evrything on and it doesn't squeal. Then the next time I get in, as soon as I put it in gear it squeals. So I had it come out and look at it again and he said that yes it was the alternator belt that was squealing and that it was getting worn down to fast and he could see the build up already on the alternator. Is there anything that you can think of that would be making it wear out so fast? Because I'm talking within a mile and a half of squealing it snaps???????

[PC_Fanatic]

I'm not up on Mazda engines, but if it is a serpentine belt, there could be another component that the belt drives, and that component's pulley is probably tied up tight. Maybe an air or water pump?

[brandi_neonate]

thanks....it is that kind of belt...it's the other one. there was a lot of play in the water pump so we are thinking that maybe it was that.......thanks for the help

brandi