cremaster

iTrader: (1)

this issue relates to my car but is more a general question for all.

will a slipping drive belt cause loss in performance and hp? if yes, minimal/negligible? i know the belt services the alternator, ac, etc., so the slipping will affect those secondary functions but just wondering if this is robbing me of any real power.

(what i'm experiencing: a high pitched whine or squeal type noise only at WOT, in manual, from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd gear. actually having the dealer look at it next weds but wanted to hear the experts chime in.) thank you!

mmarshall

If the drive belt manually-drives a supercharger, yes, you probably will lose some HP under throttle, because the supercharger's RPM won't be able to keep up with the engine's air/fuel-injection demands. Otherwise, not likely, even if the belt drives the alternator. What might (?) happen, if the slipping is significant, is that the alternator will not spin fast enough to put out enough amps for the engine/electrical accessory demands (lights, wipers, radio, fan-speeds, etc....), so the battery's life will be shortened while making up the difference. But, under most circumstances, that should not affect the engine's actual power output.

cremaster

iTrader: (1)

^^ thank you.