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.
What causes low tension on a car belt?
Low installation tension (manually tensioned drives), belt stretch, extreme belt wear, tensioner spring degradation or a belt that is too long Fluid contamination on the belt (oil, power steering fluid, antifreeze, belt dressing, brake cleaner, etc.)
When to re-tension a manual tension drive belt?
Fluid contamination on the belt (oil, power steering fluid, antifreeze, belt dressing, brake cleaner, etc.) Belts installed on vehicles with manual tension drives should be properly tensioned during installation, and re-tensioned after 5 minutes of run-in (30 lbs. per rib).
What causes a high pitched squeal when you change a belt?
A new belt is recommended once the accessory drive has been realigned. “Squeal” is a high pitched noise, typically lasting several seconds in duration. This type of noise will typically increase in volume as the engine speed increases, and is caused by relative slip between the belt and pulleys.
What happens if the belt tensioner does not work?
Since the belt tensioner keeps the proper spinning of the drive belts in the car’s engine, certain components or accessories may fail to operate if there’s a problem with the tensioner. For instance, the alternator may not work.
Can a bad belt pulley cause a car to break?
In more severe instances, a bad tensioner pulley can cause the drive belt to break. Failure of the Belt-driven Accessories to Operate Since the belt tensioner keeps the proper spinning of the drive belts in the car’s engine, certain components or accessories may fail to operate if there’s a problem with the tensioner.
Why does my belt tensioner make a squealing sound?
This is especially the case when starting the engine first thing in the morning. Since the tensioner is not able to maintain the correct tension on the belts, it produces a squealing or squeaking sound. This is most evident on the drive belts.
What causes an engine to have no power?
Improper sealing of the valves of the engine. The engine’s piston rings may not be sealing correctly. The cylinder head may be loose or the head gasket might be blown or damaged.