Serpentine belt squeal

[Big Timber]

Changed the belt a couple weeks ago and I guess the shop spilled some antifreeze on it in the process and now it squeals like the dickens. I thought it would wear off and clean itself up, but the wife is on my ass to find a better solution. Should I spray water on it to clean the coolant off or use a belt dressing or what?

 

[Weedhopper]

I think I would bring the truck back to the guys who spilled the antifreeze and get a new free belt. May be difficult to prove after two weeks, depending on the shop.

 

[ChowChilla]

Take that back to the repair shop!!!!

 

[bloc]

It’s worth trying water.. but if it doesn’t go away easily I agree, bring it back.

 

[Mogwai]

They sell "belt conditioner" that works to take the squeal away. I've also been told you can hold a candle to the belt, but I couldn't figure out how to do this w/out ripping my fingers off on the fan blade. If it still squeals, you may need a tensioner and or new pulley. I replaced the three at the same time and no squeal.

But yeah, take it back!

 

[Big Timber]

Thanks to all. Turns out the culprit is a dented power steering pulley from the original deer hit last summer. That’s three supplements now on this claim. I wish State Farm would have just totaled it.

 

[Weedhopper]

Well that makes sense. You said squeal...

 

[ChowChilla]

so when the vehicle is on, it should of been rocking back and forth (power steering pulley) seems like someone is missing the basic, might want to find a new repair shop....

 

[Big Timber]

so when the vehicle is on, it should of been rocking back and forth (power steering pulley) seems like someone is missing the basic, might want to find a new repair shop....

yep. hard to find good, honest repair shops here. even the toyota dealer missed it twice. it took the second body shop owner looking at it with the mechanic he uses to find the problem pulley. parts are on order, including a new belt. thanks for everyone's help.