Squeaky belt

[stevieray]

I put a new alternator & 2 belts on the wife's old Mazda a few weeks ago (one of my few non-boating projects). This morning when she started it, I heard that half-a-second screech you get from a mal-adjusted belt. As a general rule, does that indicate a belt that's too tight or too loose?

 

[ndemge]

Re: Squeaky belt

From my experience... too tight and you might hear bearing noise and wipe them out premature.


too loose and you get the squeal.

This is my 100% non-expert opinion.

 

[xtraham]

Re: Squeaky belt

to loose............
junk belts these days need to re-adjusted after running

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Squeaky belt

Check your pullys thay might be worn out and your belts will not seat properly in the v grove.
You should have about an inch of deflection at the longest part between the pullys when you push on the belt for correct belt tension.hope this helps.

 

[Aquaman]

Re: Squeaky belt

Loose belt. Is it from Autozone,Advance, or maybe made by Goodyear?. Also check idler pulleys for bearing wear.

 

[KRS]

Re: Squeaky belt

Always clean pulleys with a clean rag and some brake cleaner to remove any residue before installing a new belt on a used pulley full of grime, grit, and rubber particles.

Be sure the tension is right, your Haynes or Chilton manual should tell you where to check the tension (between which pulleys).

I also agree that belts can stretch a little after some use.

Good luck.

 

[xtraham]

Re: Squeaky belt

all good advise, since the conversion to serpentine belts it seems the quality of v belts have dropped sadly, ( must be recycled tires ) v belts now days have to be almost banjo string tight as so not to squeal,

 

[stevieray]

Re: Squeaky belt

Actually, this engine has a v-belt that just runs the alternator AND a flat ribbed one that runs the power steering & A/C compressor. I put a little extra doo-dads on to the alternator v-belt last night & it was quiet when she started up this am, so I guess it had stretched a bit in the couple of weeks she ran it. Thanks for the replies

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Squeaky belt

What do you mean by "Doo Dads"? If you mean that you tightened it a bit, that`s OK, but if you put some kind of a dressing on it, that`s a No No! Never use any kind of a belt dressing. The screech was caused by the alternator starting to charge after starting and it is or was too loose.

 

[stevieray]

Re: Squeaky belt

What do you mean by "Doo Dads"?

You know......golunes, stones, nads, brass ones......doo-dads8)

Just made it a bit tighter (no chemicals added).

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Squeaky belt

Gates is still making excellent v-belts...

 

[rwise]

Re: Squeaky belt

gates are the worst belts on the market!

 

[KRS]

Re: Squeaky belt

gates are the worst belts on the market!

So is valvoline or quaker state a better oil... anyone???

d o :/