How to Stop a Belt Squeal
You flip the switch or turn the key and while the engine runs, there is an ominous squealing noise somewhere under the purr of the motor. Most belt squeals start as a quiet squeak and grow into a persistent whine. Your belt is trying to tell you something.
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Instructions
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Identify the source of the noise. Turn on the engine and listen. If the engine is large and has several belts, listening will help you determine which belt is causing the ruckus. Turn off the engine and unplug it, if possible. Look at the belt you suspect is making the noise. Telltale signs of a deteriorating belt include rough or worn spots, bits of rubber that are flaking off and a belt that isn't fitting its grooves.
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Read your owner's manual and decide if you can safely and correctly replace the belt yourself. If not, visit a qualified mechanic.
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Buy a replacement belt. If you can't find a new belt at your auto parts or department store, contact a dealer.
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Remove the old belt.
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Install the new belt.
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Test the belt. While the motor is off, examine the tightness and fit of the belt. Turn the engine on, and make sure the belt is turning as it should. Turn the motor off and see if the belt has shifted. Adjust the new belt as necessary.
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Tips & Warnings
The only real way to fix a belt squeal is to buy a new belt. Check the engine warranty before you examine it. Many warranties are void as soon as the product is tampered with. Do not oil the belt unless your owner's manual advises you to. More often than not, oiling the belt will cause it to slip.
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Comments
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killerformula
Nov 17, 2009
This is not entirely accurate, belts can squeal for a number of different reasons. New belts actually tend to squeal quite a bit because unless they have an automatic tensioner, they will tend to stretch and loosen over the pulleys. Generally most new, manually adjusted belts have to be adjusted a couple of times before they stop stretching. So "buying a new belt" is not always the remedy. Similarly, if there is a binding component (alternator, water pump, air pump, compressor etc) this can cause the belt to squeal. Depending on how bad it is and when you catch it, you may or may not need a new belt. Similarly, a bent pulley can cause a belt misalignment and squeal and will not be fixed by a new belt.
