X350 XJR drive belt chirp

[Bignige57]

First time on here, so thought I'd ask what might be a basic question for some. How to cure a drive belt from chirping away annoyingly.
Seems worse on start up when its cold, I've checked out UTube fixes using specialist sprays, someone even suggested a bar of soap which did seem to work. Though in his video he had plenty of room to rub it all over his drive belt. I've moved the front plastic panel and the plastic engine cover only so far, which exposes very little indeed.

I just wondered if anyone knows a practical fix without the need to strip half the front end apart.

Nige

[Dodsy]

I have a really annoying squeek squeek squeek when mines cold. Had a chat with the technician at the dealer this week and he told me that belt chirp is a common problem when cold due to the angle of the belt. But mines more of a squeek so when it next goes in I'm having all the pulleys and tensioner changed under warranty.

I cant suggest a cure but the official line from Jaguar is 'they all do that sir'

ETA: They thought it was the supercharger belt so changed it and upgraded the pulley to a later design while they were doing it but it didnt make any difference. But they said the charger belt can make chirping noises and thats why they changed the design (and upgraded mine ).

[Bignige57]

Mine was making the noise when I test drove it almost a year ago. The dealerfitted the upgrade and the noise went intil about 4 weeks ago. Seems a bit of a cop out to suggest they all do it, I think i'll have to investigate a little deeper

[Jaguar steve]

Try a puff or two of Talcum powder on the belt.

[Bignige57]

I'll try anything, just hope talc is not a windup to cover me and the black car

[fenderbender]

This happens on my XKR when water drops down the supercharger vents after washing.

Best cure is a quick blast of WD40

[Bignige57]

Thanks I'll give it a try

[Jaguar steve]

Bignige57 said:

I'll try anything, just hope talc is not a windup to cover me and the black car

No - I'm not winding you up. Up to you if you try talc of course but it's used as a belt dressing in automotive and industrial applications.

It's also a usefull diagnostic tool. If you have multiple belts and don't know which one is noisy then just apply a puff or two to each belt in turn until the noise stops - you've then found the noisy one.

[Bignige57]

Decided in the end to have my mechanic look at the problem which was getting louder daily. I suspected it was more than a quick fix, Cost me just short of £600, but turned out to be the Alternator which also had a crack in the ally body. Changed it, fitted a new belt and three hoses which were close to perished.
Sounds sweet now, thanks for the tips guys

Nige