belt problem - 84 trans am - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

BurninrubberGT · 05-11-2011, 10:15 PM

Hey guys, we are having problems with the trans am, heres what my dad told me-

car is a 1984 ta with L69

Issues with the alternator belt. It makes a constant squeak noise on acceleration (i even smell burning rubber, and fine rubber dust under the hood). Replaced the belt and alternator but it still does it. Noticed that it only happens when the electric fan goes on, and stops with the fans go off. Looking at my volts gauge I go from 14 volts to 12.5 when the fan is on.

Any ideas? and if not does anyone know any shops in roxbury/randolph/north morris area that a good with third gens?

thanks

BonzoHansen · 05-11-2011, 10:34 PM

belt is slipping under load. loose belt, pulley alignment, glazed/bad belt, bracket issue allowing accessories to move

WildBillyT · 05-12-2011, 08:39 AM

^ Yup. Does it have anything added to it that would increase alternator load?

Blackbirdws6 · 05-12-2011, 08:57 AM

I assume they have tensioners so take a look at that? What brand belt did you buy? Some just have a weird tendency to squeal a little but its not very common in general. Is there any fluid leaking on the belt causing it to slip a little bit?

WildBillyT · 05-12-2011, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

I assume they have tensioners so take a look at that? What brand belt did you buy? Some just have a weird tendency to squeal a little but its not very common in general. Is there any fluid leaking on the belt causing it to slip a little bit?

I would guess that an '84 is a V-belt, not serpentine.

Blackbirdws6 · 05-12-2011, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

I would guess that an '84 is a V-belt, not serpentine.

Haha I will keep my advice to 93+ model year Fbodies then.

BurninrubberGT · 05-12-2011, 07:27 PM

il look into the bracket and alignment tomorrow, motor is stock so nothing added and no fluid leaks. Definately not the belt, we've tried like 3 lol. thanks and hopefully il post next time with the problem solved

sweetbmxrider · 05-12-2011, 08:01 PM

Take the belt off and spin the alternator. If you hear sand, go get a new one.

edpontiac91 · 05-12-2011, 08:19 PM

You can also buy at Pep Boys, a spray that you put on the belt and accessories that can improve the grip and eliminate the squeal.

BonzoHansen · 05-12-2011, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edpontiac91

You can also buy at Pep Boys, a spray that you put on the belt and accessories that can improve the grip and eliminate the squeal.

never put anything on a belt.

sweetbmxrider · 05-13-2011, 07:35 AM

If he is burning rubber off of the belt, its either wayyyy too tight or the alternator bearing is shot and when additional load is put on (elec fan) she burns the belt.

Tru2Chevy · 05-15-2011, 06:24 PM

Yea, I would guess that alt. bearings are shot as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbirdws6

Haha I will keep my advice to 93+ model year Fbodies then.

88+ are serp. belts. 87 used both. 82-86 are all v-belts.

- Justin

Pampered-Z · 05-17-2011, 02:42 PM

Been too long I don't remember. ( and before you say it - No Age jokes Bonzo!)

Isn't the AC one belt and everything else driven off another belt? Take all the belts off and make sure everything is spinning freely. Alternator, make sure the crank pulley didn't walk or become loose, water pump isn't going bad, check the PS pump is OK.

I'd also clean all the pulleys, make sure they are glazed or any such thing.

If you are going to spray the belts, do it off the car and let them sit until dry. Never spray them on the engine, all you'll do is get glue into you bearings and such and greatly shorten their life!

jam01 · 05-18-2011, 02:34 PM

these are definatley v belts, and if you have a problem with the pulleys themselves i may have the set from my 83 /z if you need them.

BurninrubberGT · 05-19-2011, 08:18 AM

Everything looks fine alignment wise, we have tried every possible belt tightness too. Gonna take the belt off this weekend and check the alternator, it's new but hopefully we got a defective one. If not, I guess we just have to take it to a shop

Stevoone · 05-19-2011, 08:56 AM

You only get the squeal/belt issue when the electric fans turn on? What condition are your battery cables and your battery? If it's not something with the Belt, alternator or brackets I would check the cables, battery and the engine to frame ground cable.

Belt dressing was used on older V Belt setups. Used to be available from GM but I think they stopped making it.

Also, take a look at the pulleys. A Glazed pulley can cause a squeak/squeal too. The best way to fix that would be to replace the pulley but you could also go over it with a scotch brite pad.

crainholio · 05-19-2011, 03:35 PM

I realize this sounds very shadetree, but plain white toothpaste on the friction surface of the belt will de-glaze both the belt and the pulleys. Just smear a light film on the belt, start the engine, and let it work. Or remove the belt and use fine emery cloth on the pulley surfaces.

I've also had to use a long 2x4 to apply tension to the alternator or power steering pump during belt tightening. Unless you have a helper, it's tough to get enough preload on the belt w/ one hand. Don't go crazy w/ the 2x4, just enough pressure to get the belt tight.

BurninrubberGT · 05-23-2011, 08:57 PM

well we tried every possible thing suggested and no good so we decided to try and make it down to princeton to my uncle's shop. barely made it there lol, but we found out the alternator we got from autozone was for an LG4, its slightly different then the L69(autozone only carries 1 for 84's). Got the right one on and it runs like new again. thanks for all your guys input