Author Topic: Belt Squeaking. Help! (Read 2181 times)

Giblets · « **on:** December 19, 2005, 04:23:01 pm »

Having the mechanical knowledge of a badger, I need a little advice on what the following symptoms might be:

Once engine is warmed through, I am getting a constant squeaking from one of the drive belts. Not affected by gear or speed, and is not affecting the way the car drives, but any unwelcome noise usually spells some kind of trouble. Car has done just over 100k, and not sure when belt was last changed but not is last 14 months for sure.

Have booked her in to local garage this week anyway, but wondered what your thoughts were?

Simple belt replacement, or something more sinister?

Cheers fellas!

FUBAR · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2005, 04:31:59 pm »

Mine are doing this too so i'm going to get a new set of belts at some point, they aren't much,

Also Much to my amazement when he was around mine Phil just sprayed some WD40 on them & it stopped! (noise comes back though)

Don't use anything apart from WD40 aparantly...

Jamieg285 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2005, 05:01:41 pm »

The squeek is caused by a belt slipping. Usually gets worse when it's cold and damp.

WD40 is a trick I have heard of, but never tried.

A visual check of the belt should tell you if it needs replacing, it may look worn out, or shiney if it's old.

If they are in reasonable condition, it may be possible to just tighten them. Ease of tightening depends on which belt it is.

55starchief · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2005, 05:43:56 pm »

belt dressing is the better option, and easily found in halfrauds

Giblets · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2005, 06:58:43 pm »

Cheers boys, so squeaking isn't neccessarily followed by snapping then?

I'll see what Mr Mechanic says anyway.

FUBAR · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2005, 07:00:19 pm »

No mine have been doing it for a little while, still going to replace them though.

FUBAR · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2005, 07:01:02 pm »

you picked those windows you got on eBay up yet rafe?

Roadkill · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2005, 07:27:30 pm »

Quoting: Giblets

Cheers boys, so squeaking isn't neccessarily followed by snapping then?

No.

Many cars in winter have the common "squeeky fan belt" problem.

Normally just means it's a bit too loose . . . This tends to show up in winter more so as Jamie says because of the damp.

Belts snap because of wear - normally obvious, fraying - So keep an eye on them every now and then.

F Body · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2005, 07:42:47 pm »

Used the WD40 loads of times , well I used about a tin a day on the Dodge !
The other alternative is borrow some of Managements talcum powder ;-)

philoldsmobile · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2005, 03:59:28 am »

basicly its a glaze that builds up on the belts due to age. nothing permanently cures it except changing the belts.

the belt on dads tahoe sounded like a mouse organ (obscure referance) on full tilt, so it was changed when the car was serviced..

squeek isn't a slip, a shrill scream is..

the creaky squeaky noise is just olds belts. you will notice it more in damp weather, too - the WD40 trick works because it displaces the moisture off the belt, but it does return..

philoldsmobile · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2005, 04:01:14 am »

just to prevent any confusion - the fully serp setups on 88 onward GM cars dont slip, ever, because they are automaticly tensioned - and BLOODY tight!

for some odd reason, volvo 240's are very prone to belt noise....

Giblets · « **Reply #11 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:40:21 pm »

Yeah my mechanic has tightened them up and lubed them a bit for now, and suggests they get replaced at some stage in the near future.

Are USA Automotive my best bet for new replacements?

Fubar - I picked up the windows on Saturday from Bedford. They're in good nick too. Bargain of the year I reckon at 99p! Didn't have the heart to ask for the penny change from the seller!

FUBAR · « **Reply #12 on:** December 21, 2005, 10:41:19 pm »

LOL

Glad they are good, whats the reasons for buying them? are yours scratched up or are you going to keep them as emergency spares?

Jamieg285 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 21, 2005, 11:36:11 pm »

Quoting: Giblets

Are USA Automotive my best bet for new replacements?

US Auto do carry a range of spares, but you may need to know the length/sizing of the one(s) you want to replace.

If they aren't too old you may be able to read this info of the old ones.

philoldsmobile · « **Reply #14 on:** December 22, 2005, 12:02:22 am »

no need to know the length, one bonus of having a car with a stock pully setup is just ask for a serp belt for an iroc, and they will know what one..

Giblets · « **Reply #15 on:** December 22, 2005, 04:06:32 pm »

Reeto, I'll get onto them today.

What are the other belts called out of interest?

FUBAR · « **Reply #16 on:** December 22, 2005, 08:08:13 pm »

V Belts I think

Roadkill · « **Reply #17 on:** December 22, 2005, 08:19:53 pm »

If it's a Serp set-up (modern) all ancilleries will be on one belt.
(The Serpentine)

If the Ancilleries are on multiple belts they are called V-belts as Ryan says.

Cam belts are different, they are "Toothed" to pick up on the Cam pulleys in a positive (non-frictional) manner.

EDGE · « **Reply #18 on:** December 22, 2005, 09:35:00 pm »

the problem with spraying wd40 on it is that all your doing is increasing the slipping, but you cant hear it...

if you empty 1/4 of a tin of belt-slip on the inside and outside of the offending belt it will be ok. THe stuff chemically reacts with the rubber making is slightly tacky so it wont slip...

doesnt last more than 3 months though... so buy a few tins

EDGE

philoldsmobile · « **Reply #19 on:** December 22, 2005, 11:29:10 pm »

this aint a slipping belt dude, its the winter churning, woooshing sound that glazed belts suffer from..

EDGE · « **Reply #20 on:** December 23, 2005, 06:47:42 am »

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

gotcha

EDGE

FUBAR · « **Reply #21 on:** December 23, 2005, 09:06:25 am »

basically what this boils down too is that
WINTER SUX

Giblets · « **Reply #22 on:** December 23, 2005, 04:44:01 pm »

Got the three main belts from US Automotive last night for £33.

Not too painful.......

Roadkill · « **Reply #23 on:** December 23, 2005, 06:36:03 pm »

A Job worth doing, anyway, if you're unsure of their age . . . .

philoldsmobile · « **Reply #24 on:** December 23, 2005, 11:28:37 pm »

yup, serp belts are a little more costly than V belts, but they do last a lot longer.. expect 4 - 5 years from them, easily..

Author Topic: Belt Squeaking. Help! (Read 2181 times)

Roadkill

Roadkill

Roadkill