Thread: Belts squealing on cold start

Quote: Originally Posted by Quattro15 If you tighten and there is STILL noise throw some belt conditioner on all the belts. If there is still noise then it's a pulley going out on you. If you put a socket extension on the alternator/ac compressor/whatever you THINK is making the sound and you can hear it through the extension when you put your ear up to it then you've found your problem. Spray that pulley with WD40 or something and...

Quote: Originally Posted by hrtbrk1 I put a bar of soap on the belt while it was running and it stopped worked for me but if it doesnt work...then th pulley is bad Same thing as the "belt dressing." Avoid at all costs

Quote: Originally Posted by cheeko My neighbour rubber somekind of oilment on the belt or not sure what but it stopped the noise. He did it once a year. I'll aks him when i see him Monday. yeah this sounds like a "bandaid" i want to fix the problem not cover it up....

Likely cause is a loose alternator belt but, it could be any of them.Tighten and check the pulleys to be sure they have no play in them. Just some ideas. The material that belts are made out of gets stiff and less pliable when cold as well making less friction to grab the pulleys.

You sure the noise isn't caused by a bearing? AC idler pulley is a known problem spot.

If you tighten and there is STILL noise throw some belt conditioner on all the belts. If there is still noise then it's a pulley going out on you. If you put a socket extension on the alternator/ac compressor/whatever you THINK is making the sound and you can hear it through the extension when you put your ear up to it then you've found your problem. Spray that pulley with WD40 or something and see if the sound changes. If it does...

I've had the same happen here in kansas with mid thirties temps... I tightened the alt belt but it seems to still slip a bit, cause it squeels at full lock and under high throttle / free rev if i move the steering wheel.. I think it just needs tightened a bit.

My neighbour rubber somekind of oilment on the belt or not sure what but it stopped the noise. He did it once a year. I'll aks him when i see him Monday.

Quote: Originally Posted by ShowStop You sure the noise isn't caused by a bearing? AC idler pulley is a known problem spot. yup just had to replace mine. squeeled and then finally froze up.

I have been dealing with this issue for 7 or 8 years. The cost of the real fix and the fact that "it only happens when it's cold" was grounds for procrastination. Sounds like it is a belt, also kind of like a bearing, but it goes away after a few minutes. The colder it is, the longer it lasts. You change the belt tension, squirt some crap on them or change them out and things sometimes quiet down. It always comes back,...