Belt squeal! Need expert advice.
09-16-08, 02:23 AM
#1
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Belt squeal! Need expert advice.
Since i bought my car, i've had a loud squeal from the serpentine belt. It squeals from startup, through all types of driving, and also at idle. The squeal gets louder when i put more load on the belt when the A/C is engaged. It seems that the flat (unribbed) part of the belt is dragging on one of the pulleys and i cannot figure out why!
I have tried everything.
The ac clutch and compressor have been replaced, the bearings on both the tensioner and idler pulleys have been replaced and spin freely, the power steering pump has been replaced, the alternator has been replaced, and my crank pulley seems to be fully in tact and is not splitting or separating and has no play.
When the belt is off, NONE of the pulleys squeak or spin awkwardly or roughly. The power steering pump pulley and hydraulic fan pulley both have some restriction to them when i spin them ( i assume this is ok becuase they are both hydraulic and the restriction is fluid being pumped ).
I've replaced the belt 5 times, and found that it is silent until the flat part wears down far enough to start squeeling again. And the wear is only on the front 1/3 of the belt. I have also cleaned all the pulleys thoroughly several times and dried them.
I'm at a loss, and have no idea what to do?
My current thoughts:
Bad tensioner? But theres plenty of tention on the belt, and while the engine is running, the tensioner doesn't fluctuate beyond the small indicators on the housing.
Too much fluid pressure? I'm thinking that maybe there is too much fluid pressure building up in either the power steering system or the hydraulic fan system that may be restricting those pulleys. If this were the case, then a certain pulley would be spinning slower than all the other pulleys, causing a drag on the belt as its traveling around the pulleys.
Again, please help
I have tried everything.
The ac clutch and compressor have been replaced, the bearings on both the tensioner and idler pulleys have been replaced and spin freely, the power steering pump has been replaced, the alternator has been replaced, and my crank pulley seems to be fully in tact and is not splitting or separating and has no play.
When the belt is off, NONE of the pulleys squeak or spin awkwardly or roughly. The power steering pump pulley and hydraulic fan pulley both have some restriction to them when i spin them ( i assume this is ok becuase they are both hydraulic and the restriction is fluid being pumped ).
I've replaced the belt 5 times, and found that it is silent until the flat part wears down far enough to start squeeling again. And the wear is only on the front 1/3 of the belt. I have also cleaned all the pulleys thoroughly several times and dried them.
I'm at a loss, and have no idea what to do?
My current thoughts:
Bad tensioner? But theres plenty of tention on the belt, and while the engine is running, the tensioner doesn't fluctuate beyond the small indicators on the housing.
Too much fluid pressure? I'm thinking that maybe there is too much fluid pressure building up in either the power steering system or the hydraulic fan system that may be restricting those pulleys. If this were the case, then a certain pulley would be spinning slower than all the other pulleys, causing a drag on the belt as its traveling around the pulleys.
Again, please help
09-16-08, 02:51 PM
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So you're saying it is a belt issue? I've been replacing it with gates belts since i get them cheap.
What causes you guys to think its a belt issue? The belt is RUBBING in a spot. It is physically wearing away after literally 2 days. How can this be the belt's fault...
Oh, and i used belt dressing two belts ago and it made the squeal 100x louder.
What causes you guys to think its a belt issue? The belt is RUBBING in a spot. It is physically wearing away after literally 2 days. How can this be the belt's fault...
Oh, and i used belt dressing two belts ago and it made the squeal 100x louder.
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09-18-08, 07:57 PM
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Check your Harmonic Balancer!! (your main crank pulley). The rubber casing can separate over time and your pulley will split/spin. Draw/paint a white line clear across the front face of the pulley. Drive the car and the see if the line is no longer straight. This is not a uncommon thing to go south. The rubber in the pulley gets old/hot and oilly over time and breaks down. Also, make darn sure your tensioner is in good shape.
09-18-08, 10:19 PM
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Get a GatorBack!
Also, take the pulley off of your belt tensioner and take that to an auto parts store and have them press a new bearing in. My local CarQuest did it for eight dollars. Took my squeal away and haven't had any engine noise since.
Now, I am **** about maintenance like that (best insurance in keeping your car longer). I actually replace my serpentine belt annually with a fresh GatorBack. Expensive belt at $30 or so, but to me its worth it.
Also, take the pulley off of your belt tensioner and take that to an auto parts store and have them press a new bearing in. My local CarQuest did it for eight dollars. Took my squeal away and haven't had any engine noise since.
Now, I am **** about maintenance like that (best insurance in keeping your car longer). I actually replace my serpentine belt annually with a fresh GatorBack. Expensive belt at $30 or so, but to me its worth it.
09-19-08, 01:07 PM
#14
Check your Harmonic Balancer!! (your main crank pulley). The rubber casing can separate over time and your pulley will split/spin. Draw/paint a white line clear across the front face of the pulley. Drive the car and the see if the line is no longer straight. This is not a uncommon thing to go south. The rubber in the pulley gets old/hot and oilly over time and breaks down. Also, make darn sure your tensioner is in good shape.
09-20-08, 01:52 AM
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I have already replaced the bearing in the tensioner pulley with a new one. I'll draw a paint line on the crank pulley and see what happens.
I'm still skeptical about the gatorback. I'm sure its a great belt, but I still don't see how its going to resist the wear issue. Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and go get one... sigh. Wonder if they'll warranty it if it squeals?
I'm still skeptical about the gatorback. I'm sure its a great belt, but I still don't see how its going to resist the wear issue. Maybe I'll just bite the bullet and go get one... sigh. Wonder if they'll warranty it if it squeals?