belt squeeling

[DevilDougWS6]

this is a new problem....can not figure out where it is coming from for the life of me. it sounds like the belt starts squeeling when the engine is under load...it WILL NOT make the noise if i just rev the motor up.

this is why it is hard to diagnose, i have to be moving to make the noise. it squeels louder and longer if im in a higher gear at a low speed and step on the gas a bit. i tried changing the belt, and the tensioner. with the belt off i turned some pulleys to see if any were seized up a bit or tight, but they all seemed fine. i have noticed that my volt meter indicates less of a charge than normal.

oh yeah and it seems to be louder if i go to turn and accelerate (like at a stop sign) at the same time....gah its so irritating, anyone have any suggestions?

[nj85z28]

start the car and hold a bar of soap to the belt

[DevilDougWS6]

ok....that will do what? ivae already replaced the belt and it still makes this obnoxious noise. probably one of the pulleys...but i need to figure out which one...

[ar0ck]

Check for play in your alternator pulley as well with the belt off.

[LTb1ow]

Was the AC on at any point? Also, when you rev it, can you turn the wheels over and see if it starts to squeal?

[V]

my belt squelled for a while, couldnt track it down, changed my alt, tensioners and idler, a few days later the crank pulley sperated form the hub... that blew, but thats what i was hearing. however in ur case... this isnt the cause. i had an aftermarket one.

i'd suggest removing the belt, spinning each pulley by hand to see if you can hear it in any way. then if all else fails, id say start with replacing the tensioner. a belt makes noise when it slips for the most part. when theres extra load ie the power steering pump, a/c... it can slow the belt and allow it to slip if the tensioner isnt holding it tight enough.

[edpontiac91]

I know this MAY seem overly simple, but with the engine running, spray the belt and the pulley surfaces with WD40. Sometimes the grooves on the pulleys get some surface rust in between them and the lube from the WD40 may take it away. The reason it does it under a load, is due to more strain on the belt, which in turn may make it slip and cause the squeal. The WD40 will not cause it slip out of control, but it provides just enough lube to make the sound go away.

[88IrocVert]

My wifes old Geo Tracker used to squeal like all hell. I tried belts and all sortsa stuff. Some one said to coat the belt in mayonaisse over night and that would quiet it. One day I said to my self "It's dumb, but what the hell?" and coated the belt with MAYO. the whole time I felt like an ass, but the next day it was quiet. Lasted till we got rid of it a couple months later.

Just throwing it out there. :lol:

[GP99GT]

i agree with paul, take the belt off and spin each one by hand...if none of them feel "tight" or make noise, replace the tensioner

[JL8Jeff]

It was the AC belt that was squealing on my LS1 so I took it off for a year. Then I decided to sand down the backside to rough it up(it only had 34K miles on it) and put it back on and haven't had any noise since then. It could be a pulley or tensioner, but I would check the AC belt.

[SamhainZ28]

i had the same noise happen to me to. i figured out it was teh a/c pulleys and took them off. the pulleys are sort of like a skateboard bearing, where the shield can come off so you can grease it. i did that and i never head another noise.

[DevilDougWS6]

my ac pump has been off the car for some time. that originally did make alot of noise and i took the belt off and the noise went away cause the pump was shot...then i did a weight reduction....

i am going to try driving it real quick with the belt off to see if i can make the noise. but i had the belt off, tried the old tensioner, tried a new belt, sprayed wd40 all over the belt, and the backside as well. also tried turning all the pulleys etc etc. i would think it is one of the smooth pulleys either the idler or the water pump. also just had the cam replaced could they have messed up putting the crank pulley back on? the noise started after i raced someone. lol

[BonzoHansen]

WD40? Um, no. Bad idea. As is any kind of belt dressing.