Mercruiser started right up but belt squeeking

omgitzdave

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
48
I finally got a chance to pull my 1988 Thundercraft Regency (Alpha One B869837 - MCM 2.5 Litre) out of storage and got it ready for the season. Everything started up great and is running smooth (thanks to all that explained winterization perfectly).

The only "problem" is that the front belt started to squeak while it was warming up and then it stopped. When I put the boat in gear the belt began to squeak again and then after about 1 minute it was quiet.

Should I have someone replace the belt, or do you think the squeaking was because the belt was cold and need to warm up?

Thanks!
 

Coors

Captain
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
3,367
Re: Mercruiser started right up but belt squeeking

Have you tried adjusting it?
 

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Mercruiser started right up but belt squeeking

Trying tightening the tension, but I'll bet it'll squeek again. Replacement is pretty easy. I think you have to undo the motor mount and undo the cranksahft pulley before it'll come out, if its the 4 cylinder. Cheap and easy.

Mine did the same thing and tightiening only gave me a little time before it did it again.
 

superpop

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 5, 2006
Messages
869
Re: Mercruiser started right up but belt squeeking

Start the boat up and take a bar of Ivory Soap and rub it on the belt as it spins. Rub all sides of the belt and that should eliminate the noise. An old mechanics trick. The soap conditions the belt and softens it up a bit so it will not slip.
 

omgitzdave

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
48
Re: Mercruiser started right up but belt squeeking

Start the boat up and take a bar of Ivory Soap and rub it on the belt as it spins. Rub all sides of the belt and that should eliminate the noise. An old mechanics trick. The soap conditions the belt and softens it up a bit so it will not slip.

Is this safe? Or am I not rubbing soap on the inside of the belt? I'd hate for that belt to slip off and watch my motor destroy itself!
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: Mercruiser started right up but belt squeeking

It's Lava Soap,......... Not Ivory........

Lava has the Pumice in it,..... I carry a bar in Every 1 of My Many Toolboxs..........

But,.......
Nothing short of Adjusting or Replacing it is going to Stop a Loose Belt from Squeeling.............
Is this safe?

Sure it Is,.................. I've got the Scars to Prove It........................:D
 

tystick

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 25, 2003
Messages
278
Re: Mercruiser started right up but belt squeeking

better off replacing that one and keep it as a spare-
 

Coors

Captain
Joined
Dec 8, 2006
Messages
3,367
Re: Mercruiser started right up but belt squeeking

Buy 2 new ones, and wire-tie the spare out of the way, while you have the motor mount out.
 
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