Why does my car make a slipping belt noise?
Belt noise can be hard to isolate, as the sound may seem to be coming from an accessory drive, such as the alternator or air conditioning compressor. A noise that occurs only when the vehicle accelerates is likely to be a slipping belt, as is a noise that occurs only when the car is started cold.
Why do I hear strange noises from my serpentine belt?
The serpentine belt provides mechanical power to the power steering pump, air conditioning compressor, alternator, and many other important peripheral accessories. If you ever start hearing strange noises coming from your engine area, then it might be due to your serpentine belt.
What kind of noise does a belt make?
If the noise goes away, it’s a chirp. “Chirp” is a sharp, high-pitched, repetitive noise of short duration, usually worse at low engine speeds (idle). As belt speed increases, the belt noise may blend into one audible noise, but most likely diminish in intensity such that it won’t be detected.
What causes a fan belt to make noise?
Misaligned tensioner or pulley: If everything isn’t aligned correctly within the belt system, it will cause a slip and begin to make noise. Improper Installation: When installed, the belt must be tensioned appropriately and then re-tensioned again after a few minutes of running the engine.
Why does my belt make a weird noise?
The #1 cause of serpentine belt noise is a worn automatic serpentine belt tensioner. Most people blame the belt and replace it only to find the belt noise returns.
What to do if your serpentine belt is making a noise?
Belt noises can be diagnosed with a spray bottle of water. With the engine running and the sound audible, lightly mist the grooved side of the belt with water. If the noise disappears or lessens, but then shortly returns, the problem is probably a misaligned pulley.
What to do if your engine fan belt is making noise?
Not only could you end up stranded, but it could cause damage to other vital parts of the engine. Look for any discoloration or wetness that may indicate a fluid leak or water on the belt. A little splash of water on the belt isn’t a big deal. However, if it is due to leaking motor oil, coolant, or other engine fluid, the issue is urgent.
How can you tell if a car belt is a chirp or a squeal?
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.