Squeeking fan belt

[hidesertfj40]

How many of you guys have a darn fan belt squeeking or chirp noise? I changed all the pulleys, two new belts and she still squeeking and chirps.

What the heck is going g on here?

Feedback is much appreciated....

Thanks everyone!

 

[ponytl]

in my experience... you need to start planing on replacing an alternator... that has been my experience when I start to hear a bearing whine it's been the alternator bearings...

 

[LX470Mack]

It's just moisture , all the aussie ones do it. Get a stick of dry lube, it looks like a large crayon. Turn the engine on and stick your hand down into a section of the belt and lightly touch the tip of the lube stick onto a grooved section of the belt for 3 seconds then off. Do this 3-4 times until you've hit various sections of the belt and the noise should go for a long long time.

 

[2001LC]

I've never heard of using dry lube stick on a belt. Not something I'd do, but interesting idea.

@ponytl has a point, it also may be your power steering (PS) pump. I've found when using a stethoscope. The sound from PS pump or alternator travels and will sounds like it's coming from the tensioner pulley bearing more so than idler.

You can also use stethoscope (HF $10) on PS pump & alternator as well.

Note: First thing I like to do is clean PS reservoir and flush system with M1 ATF. If this is first time flushing with synthetic ATF, it may take three flush spread out over time, to quiet down the PS pump.

 

[LX470Mack]

I've never heard of using dry lube stick on a belt. Not something I'd do, but interesting idea.

@ponytl has a point, it also may be your power steering (PS) pump. I've found when using a stethoscope. The sound from PS pump or alternator travels and will sounds like it's coming from the tensioner pulley bearing more so than idler.

You can also use stethoscope (HF $10) on PS pump & alternator as well.

Note: First thing I like to do is clean PS reservoir and flush system with M1 ATF. If this is first time flushing with synthetic ATF, it may take three flush spread out over time, to quiet down the PS pump.

Trust me mate! It works brilliantly provided you don't go overboard. I feel so sorry for the poor souls suckered in by Belt Grip.

 

[2001LC]

Trust me mate! It works brilliantly provided you don't go overboard. I feel so sorry for the poor souls suckered in by Belt Grip.

When you say moisture, is this due to water crossings?

It's just moisture , all the aussie ones do it. Get a stick of dry lube,***.

 

[LEX]

That pesky alternator. I wish it wasn't so low in the engine compartment.

 

[nissanh]

To check the fan belt, damp it with some water and start the truck. If the sound goes away, it is the belt.

 

[abuck99]

To check the fan belt, damp it with some water and start the truck. If the sound goes away, it is the belt.

^ & use small spray bottle - a little squirt of water

 

[DustyTrail]

I had a similar experience. New belt and pulleys but would get a regular chirp noise at idle. I sprayed the belt with water and it got much worse which told me it was tension. Turns out the tensioner needed replacement. That fixed the problem.

 

[hidesertfj40]

So... What's the answer here?

Logic is not prevailing...

 

[Kofoed]

So... What's the answer here?

Logic is not prevailing...

Process of elimination. Start cheap with the water/lube to see if it is the belt itself. Then check bearing in the accessories, not forgetting the replaceable bearing in the idler/tensioner. Seems pretty logical to me.

 

[LX470Mack]

When you say moisture, is this due to water crossings?

Water crossings, rain, car washes, even humidity.

 

[hidesertfj40]

Thanks for the input and Merry Christmas!

 

[hidesertfj40]

Process of elimination. Start cheap with the water/lube to see if it is the belt itself. Then check bearing in the accessories, not forgetting the replaceable bearing in the idler/tensioner. Seems pretty logical to me.

What I meant was I replaced the belt and all pulleys and the tensioner a thousand miles ago and she is still making noise. I'm in a dry area, so no moisture to deal with. I tried the water and the noise went away for two weeks, but the noise is back again.

 

[abuck99]

Squirting a little water and the squeak going away would point to the belt. Is the tensioner new or just the pulley?

Is the noise always present while running , or you hear it just when cold starting, or when you turn the AC compressor on or off or turn the steering wheel etc.

 

[hidesertfj40]

Squirting a little water and the squeak going away would point to the belt. Is the tensioner new or just the pulley?

Is the noise always present while running , or you hear it just when cold starting, or when you turn the AC compressor on or off or turn the steering wheel etc.

The noise is constant and get louder as I accelerate. Sounds like a cat is screaming g under the hood.

 

[94SRUNNER]

I had something similar and it turned out to be the alternator. After about 10 days of whinnying the alternator died.

The noise is constant and get louder as I accelerate. Sounds like a cat is screaming g under the hood.

 

[BnvS]

Hey guy's I am getting the squeaking noise right from the start of the engine and its just stays there. Initially it was going away. but now its just stays i.e. where i drove for half hour around town and it was there. But randomly it goes away during other ignition starts but its coming back again at times when the engine is hot or everything may good where i am getting no noise at all until i restart the engine where the squeaks start all over again.

What could that be? I have a 800 mile trip back home. I think i'll be okay till i get back in 2 days but still its annoying and un-nerving to hear it and think it could be an alternator problem during my 800 miles trip back.

 

[2001LC]

Hey guy's I am getting the squeaking noise right from the start of the engine and its just stays there. Initially it was going away. but now its just stays i.e. where i drove for half hour around town and it was there. But randomly it goes away during other ignition starts but its coming back again at times when the engine is hot or everything may good where i am getting no noise at all until i restart the engine where the squeaks start all over again.

What could that be? I have a 800 mile trip back home. I think i'll be okay till i get back in 2 days but still its annoying and un-nerving to hear it and think it could be an alternator problem during my 800 miles trip back.

Most common is idler and/or tensioner pulleys bearings.