I installed a serpentine setup about 4 months ago on my car. I put a new belt on too. Ever since then under my hood all over the engine is dust from the belt. There are pretty heavy build ups near all the pulleys, not one any more than the other. The belt appears to be in great shape, no abnormal wear, doesnt look like its worn at all but obviously is if Im findind piles of it. belt does not come in contact with any hoses either and seems to be lined up with the pulleys perfectly.

Is it normal to for a new serpentine belt to wear a bit like this till broken in??? Just want to see if anythings wrong because my v belts never did that when new.

 

i'm really not sure, but i bought a 88 305 with the serpentine setup, the crank pulley was an underdrive pulley, so i had to find a smaller belt, i found a smaller one, but i too have that problem black dust all over the place, and you should see my air cleaner..

 

If the belt tensioner is bad, then the belt will slip and cause deterioration of the belt itself over time. Although it may just be a bad belt as well - poor quality. I've had good luck with the Goodyear belts. You can pick them up at www.carparts.com for under $20. Gates and to a lesser extent Dayco are also well known manufacturers.