Ok it's been awhile since I took my auld Elegance swimming,she's still going ,had great help from here.

 I have searched the forum but nothing comes up for my problem.

My first question,

What is the purpose of the damper/shock absorber on the alternator/v ribbed belt?

 Second question,

What would cause the bracket/bolt hole on the engine to break? It is the bolt that the damper bolts to at the top of the block.

 Third question,

 What would/will happen if I continue to to drive without the damper attached?

 It broke a couple of days ago,as far as I know.The pulley on the alternator is not seized,I checked.But I will say this is not the first time I have replaced the tensioner.Last year the damper wore the center out of the damper,unless that weakened the bolt hole?

   I am considering taking the car to an aluminum welder at the weekend as I don't fancy stripping out everything to replace the big bracket.By the look of it timing belt,alternator,fuel pump and everything to access them would need to come off.

 Any and all advice appreciated.

Is your belt running in line? It could be off centre and putting extra strain on it. The spring is there so that as loading changes on battery using air con, wipers, lights etc. The arm can move to keep the belt tensioned. I would not drive without one, belt wouldn't fit for a start.

I replaced mine on the Ibiza with an SKF one, seem to be very well made and a bit cheaper than genuine.

It's not the tensioner that is broken,I wish.The belt functions perfectly,so I try and avoid heavy loads,like Air Con.Thank you for the response,I have uploaded two pics of where it broke.

Edited 16 June, 20169 yr by haventaclue

We see that sort of damage when the belt is flapping too much - usually due to either a weak tensioner or an alternator pulley seized. It could also be a knackered crank pulley, which (according to advice on the Gates website) should be changed at roughly 120k km or so.

It could also be a knackered crank pulley, which (according to advice on the Gates website) should be changed at roughly 120k km or so.

"240,000 miles on this,new tensioner on the way.Had a friend weld it 'till it gets here.Might have a look at crank pulley.Thanks for the input.