Belt noise from power steering

[DaddyAirtime]

Hello all, new here. I purchased a 2006 Larson 208 LXi last year. Engine is 5.0 GXi-F. I have taken it out many times and it has always had a belt squeal that comes from the power steering pump. The squeal goes away after some time running the boat. I just assumed it was loose and the tensioner was doing it's job. The last time out with the boat the belt was very loud so I decided to spray some belt lube on it. Bad idea. The belt squealed so loud I thought it was an air raid. It continued to squeal very loudly for some time. When I got off the water I took a closer look at the power steering pulley and it looks like it is recessed compared to all the other pulleys on the belt. It looks to me like the belt has to move inboard when on this pulley causing an angle and the side of the belt contacts the pulley edge.

Question: Are all the pulleys supposed to be on the same plane/level? Would this be causing my belt squeal? Is it bad to have one pulley out of alignment and is this a DIY job? I have the engine manual and I am very handy.

Thank you for your attention.

-Tony C

 

[Don S]

Re: Belt noise from power steering

Question: Are all the pulleys supposed to be on the same plane/level? Would this be causing my belt squeal? Is it bad to have one pulley out of alignment and is this a DIY job? I have the engine manual and I am very handy.

Yes
Yes
Yes
Depends on your abilities, only you know what that is. Plus it depends on why it out of alignment and what is needed to fix it.

Can you post some pictures?

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Belt noise from power steering

Take a look at this...namely the last couple posts. It seems like an uneven P.S. pulley is somewhat common on the 4.3/5.0 from around that time.

 

[DaddyAirtime]

Re: Belt noise from power steering

Take a look at this...namely the last couple posts. It seems like an uneven P.S. pulley is somewhat common on the 4.3/5.0 from around that time.

thank you. I did read that thread but it referred to the pulley being to far out if I am not mistaken?!?

Thank you Don for your advice as well. I have a puller and installer tool, just need time to do the work. Hopefully tommorow I can pull it out. I will post some pics when I do.

Another question: Can I simply pull the pulley out until it is in alignment with the others? From my experience I would think that I need to add some washers or backing in between the pulley and pump.

 

[Don S]

Re: Belt noise from power steering

The pulleys are just pressed on the shaft, so if you have the correct puller or installer (depending on which way you need to go) then all you have to do is move it to line up and it should hold.

 

[DaddyAirtime]

Re: Belt noise from power steering

The pulleys are just pressed on the shaft, so if you have the correct puller or installer (depending on which way you need to go) then all you have to do is move it to line up and it should hold.

That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Thanks!!!

 

[DaddyAirtime]

Re: Belt noise from power steering

Problem solved. Here are the details.

Pulled the belt and went to the store to get a new one. Dealer said Volvo updated with a new belt. New belt has cross hatch on inside. Went home and used pulley puller to align PS pulley with alt pulley. Done. Added new belt. start it up.... horrible noise like rock in a can. Shut engine down, notice belt is off crank pulley by one groove. Fixed that, started it again and same thing happens. So I look at crank pulley and PS pulley and they are WAY off. So I use pulley installer on PS pulley to align with crank pulley. Done. Started it up.... engine shook a little but quickly smoothed out and purred. Better than before, "that's always nice". Compared alt pulley and PS pulley, no issues. Looks like the old belt had some warping that gave the illusion that the PS pulley was misaligned.

Problem solved for now, water test this weekend at Temple Bar. If you are out that way and see a white and blue Larson 208 bobbing around..... a courtesy check would be appreciated