Belt Sqeek!

[Rockcrusher]

Its not a major thing, but a real agrivation. After about six months the serpintine belt starts to squeek severly. I've tried belt dressing and that helps for a day or two and then starts in again. Doesnt seem to make any differnce what brand of belt, Gates, mopar or... they all do it.

Everything seems to be in alignment and the same except the water pump pully is different than the original. Did the same thing with the original.

Any thoughts or similar experiences?

 

[Woodenhead]

I read somewhere (Hemi magazine I think) about placing a few dabs of tooth paste on the belt. Toothpaste is abrasive and will deglaze the belt, thereby stopping the squeal. I've never tried it so I can't say for sure if it works, but it's worth a try. Whats different about the water pump pully?



Regards

Mike

 

[NOMOFO]

Mine did this and it turned out the idle was too low. Set it at 800 as spec'd on plate. This is with no load. Borrowed a phototach to set it. This all but eliminated the squeak. Except that little chirp on shutdown.

 

[ETOBICOKE]

Grand Dads Cure

Try Sunlight Laundry Soap, the old fashioned large bar soap.



Neil

 

[NOMOFO]

It also occurred to me that my first suspicion of the sqealing was the bearing in the idler pulley. I then bought one of those heavy duty steel ones from Practical Solutions because of the absurd dealer policy of only selling the entire spring loaded assembly at over $150. Anyway that wasn't my problem but it could be contributing to yours if that bearing is bad.

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

If it's the belt try a Goodyear Gatorback - it is by far the best belt in the industry today. If it is not the belt my first guess would be the tensioner. I might be able to get you one at a much better price than "DC". Just email me and I will try to get you a price.

Happy Trails

Bob

 

[Rockcrusher]

The original water pump pulley had flanges, the new one doesnt.

I've pinned down to the belt because when I change it the squeek stops. The back side gets 'super glazed". The next time it starts again I'll try the tooth paste trick.

Also. thanks for the info on the 'gater' belt.

 

[WestTN]

Belt squeak

I switched to the Goodyear belt a few years ago on my 1989 Ram. Now, even in the humidity here in western Tennessee, the old truck never squeaks anymore. As soon as I get really tired of the chirp in the new truck I'll change it too!

 

[hdm48]

Two things come to mind for this belt thing.

1. tensioner is weak and alowing the belt to slip under load and after time the belt gets glazed.

2. the belt/pullys are getting contaminated by oil, antifreeze or anything else that can get to it.

and about that chirp during shutdown. this has been discused befor and it's normal. Plus I like the looks people give me when I shut it off[har-har-snort-giggle]