My Olds 88(1989) broke down on Friday. Car developed a slight squeeling noise and a couple of miles later the engine died. When trying to start it up again to get out of traffic, smoke came out from under the hood after the 3rd try to start it. Popped the hood and the belt was broken but also burnt for an inch where the break is and the alternator pulley has burnt rubber on it.

So it seems the car died and the belt was still ok, but when trying to start it the alternator pulley spun and the belt didn't, burning the belt and breaking it. But the alternator pully only turns by the belt so I cant figure out how this happened. I checked the belt tensioner and it seems ok, and turned the alternator pulley by hand and it turns fine and some times has a little resistance when turning. Can't figure this one out. Anyone have a similar problem before?

Check all the pulleys to make sure they all turn freely. If I had to take a guess, the alt pulley froze but the belt kept spinning. The pulley got hot and when the belt stopped the hot pulley burned threw.

If the bearings are going bad in the alternator they will really show their true colors when heated - squealing, getting hot to the touch, shaft wobble. I think what Dan pointed out is probably what happened. The alternator should spin freely with moderate resistance that does not change, and the pulley should have no in and out movement when checked.