Screaming Belt

[Saul]

Hello everybody, new member here.

Recently bought a Chim 500 from Dream Machines, who are great, it's my second TVR I used to own a Griff 4.3 BV.

The point is that the belt (which is new) screams like a referees whistle. Dream Machines suggested that I should try WD40 to shut it up. This made it much worse (I didn't use much). Also tried washing up liquid with same result. It's going back to Dream Machines (they are really trying to sort it for me) but if there is anything I can do to stop it that's easy, as I'm not so hot under the bonnet, Ha Ha! I would try. I'll do anything noise is driving me mad. I don't want to go out in it it's that bad!

[Big Al.]

and welcome
Look not I'm not trying to rubbish what DM have told you, but from and engineering aspect I'd have thought that WD40 or W/U liquid is the last things you'd be wanting to put on the belt and pulleys!

A squeal is caused by the belt slipping! what you need to apply is some form anti slip spray check with Halfrauds or your local tool supply shop.

You could also try just roughing up the contact side of the belt with a coarse abrasive paper say 60 grit just break the shiny coat / glaze!

Don't forget, no squeal = no slip!

Hope this helps

[Ribol]

The right thing to use would be "belt dressing" but if what you have put on it has made no difference there is more to this than just a belt noise.

[GreenV8S]

WD40 that's going to wreck the belt. Belt dressing spray will help if the belt is slipping, but won't cure it if the problem is the belt tension is wrong or it is misaligned. Is it a serpentine (poly-V) belt?

[saul]

Cheers all.
I was a bit surprised that WD40 was recommended, thought it might be to silence the squeak while allowing it to slip a bit!

Going to Halfrauds now in the hope of finding something as recommended. I am worried that it might be something else and not just the belt. Water pump is my prime suspect, I'll check for any play on that. unless it is resisting being turned. D/M have put on a new pulley when they changed belt, not sure if its the tensioner or the idler (where power steering would go) that was changed. When I got car back from them all seemed well but only for about 250 miles.

>> Edited by saul on Sunday 13th March 11:39

[saul]

It's a serpentine. Been to Alfreds and they didn't have anything. Got a new theory now. Had a majo oil leak recently, and there might be some oil that found its way onto belt and pulleys, so I'm going to take it off and clean it up to see if that helps.

>> Edited by saul on Sunday 13th March 13:40

[Flintstone]

I had a similar problem and was told by the nice people on here to use belt dressing spray. Worked a treat.

Assuming it's not the oil leak, of course.

[Nuggs]

Flintstone said:

I had a similar problem and was told by the nice people on here to use belt dressing spray. Worked a treat

Where did you get it from Flintstone?

Also, is there any benefit in using it on a belt that isn't screaming (e.g. does it prolong the life of the belt)?

[snorky]

I've had this in the past and it was the fact that the belt wasn't routed correctly round the pulleys - noticed by looking at the piccies in the bible - changed it and the squeal stopped...

[PeterC]

For belt dressing sprays etc, try looking in Yellow Pages for trade outlets that supply replacement bearings and belts for machines.

[Big Al.]

Nuggs said:

Also, is there any benefit in using it on a belt that isn't screaming (e.g. does it prolong the life of the belt)?

Not that I'm aware of. but it will stop wear on a slipping belt.

>> Edited by Big Al. on Tuesday 15th March 14:05

[saul]

Took off belt and washed it in sink rinsed it down and dried thoroughly, put it back on and not a peep - for about 3 miles then it gradually built up to it's old self again. Going 'in' on Saturday to get sorted.

I'll let you know it it wasn't the oil causing it.

Cheers
Saul