Why are my engine belts squealing?
Your engine belts make a screech or squeal noise usually because the rubber belt is slipping on the metal pulley and just like your tires spinning on the road, this causes noise. The belt may be slipping due to improper tension or because it simply has gotten old and the surface has become glazed, cracked or brittle.
Why is my car belt making a squealing noise?
If there seems to be no fluid on the belts causing them to slip, the next thing to check is the tension on the belt. A belt that is either too loose or too tight will often slip against the pulleys, causing the squeal. While the motor is running, pour water over the squealing belt. It the noise stops, it tells you the belt needs tightening.
What causes belt noise and what causes misalignment?
One of the biggest burdens today for professional technicians and do-it-yourselfers is belt noise, and the No. 1 cause of belt noise is misalignment. There are two distinctively different types of belt noise, “Chirp” and “Squeal”. Each has its own unique characteristics, causes and solutions.
Is there a way to stop belt squealing?
Applying an aerosol belt dressing is as easy as it seems. All you need to do is aim and spray. The catch is that you have to do it with the engine running, so be very careful!
Where is the belt tensioner on a car?
While the motor is running, pour water over the squealing belt. It the noise stops, it tells you the belt needs tightening. There is a belt tensioner adjustment that is usually located half-way down the front of the engine.
If there seems to be no fluid on the belts causing them to slip, the next thing to check is the tension on the belt. A belt that is either too loose or too tight will often slip against the pulleys, causing the squeal. While the motor is running, pour water over the squealing belt. It the noise stops, it tells you the belt needs tightening.
Applying an aerosol belt dressing is as easy as it seems. All you need to do is aim and spray. The catch is that you have to do it with the engine running, so be very careful!
While the motor is running, pour water over the squealing belt. It the noise stops, it tells you the belt needs tightening. There is a belt tensioner adjustment that is usually located half-way down the front of the engine.
One of the biggest burdens today for professional technicians and do-it-yourselfers is belt noise, and the No. 1 cause of belt noise is misalignment. There are two distinctively different types of belt noise, “Chirp” and “Squeal”. Each has its own unique characteristics, causes and solutions.
How do you know when your belt is squealing?
One method to determine if the noise is a chirp or squeal is to use a water squirt bottle and spray the rib side of the belt while the vehicle is running. If the noise gets louder, it’s a squeal. If the noise goes away, it’s a chirp.
What causes a squeal when a V-belt slips?
The alternator, power steering pump, water pump, and air-conditioning compressor may all be connected to this serpentine belt. Older cars may not have a serpentine belt, but they do have different V-belts that drive different systems. When any of these belts begin to slip, the resulting friction can cause a piercing squeal.
What to do if your car belt is squealing?
A very old belt may be so worn that it’s impossible to tighten it enough to stop the squealing, so if you find that this is the case, be prepared to have the belt replaced. If you’re unable to stop the squeal with either of these methods, you can use a spray-on belt dressing compound, widely sold at automotive shops.
Why does my serpentine belt make a squealing noise?
It can be tough to diagnose if belt squealing on a serpentine belt is from poor belt tension or a bad pulley or worn water pump. This is a simple method to isolate the problem so you don’t waste money on unnecessary parts. Loading…
Why does my car make a squealing noise when I start the engine?
The serpentine belt is designed to drive the accessories such as the alternator, air conditioner compressor and water pump on most engines. When this belt starts to wear it produces a squealing noise at engine start up and under engine acceleration.