Strong lubrication..
Discussion
Basically, when I start the car up, there is a horrible squeeling noise, esp if its damp.
I use WD40 on the belt that runs round the front of the engine and that stops the noise.
Been happening for years and no amount of people looking at it has solved the problem.
Any ideas what it could be then..?
Claire
I use WD40 on the belt that runs round the front of the engine and that stops the noise.
Been happening for years and no amount of people looking at it has solved the problem.
Any ideas what it could be then..?
Claire
Gaffer said:
Basically, when I start the car up, there is a horrible squeeling noise, esp if its damp.
I use WD40 on the belt that runs round the front of the engine and that stops the noise.
Been happening for years and no amount of people looking at it has solved the problem.
Any ideas what it could be then..?
Claire
Claire, the belt normaly squeals if its slipping, therefore spraying WD40 around it is not recomended as others correctly state as you want friction and WD40 will encourage slip.
If mechanics have looked and not found anything then I don't know what to suggest but normaly squealing belts are caused by either too little tension (normaly evident when the car is first started) or dry bearings on the water pump or belt tensioner (if fitted). If its the latter then maybe some of the WD40 is getting onto the idler bearing and stopping the squeak but I havent seen idler bearings on tensioners in modern cars for years.
Maybe someone else has a theory? I would substitue your WD for a tine of 'Beltslip' used on conveyors as it does what it says on the tin ie stops belt slip
Gaffer, you can't be serious in wanting belt slip...
The fan belt needs friction to enable it be turned by the engine and turn the alternator, fans, water pump etc - no friction = dead engine.
It'd be much better to follow UltimaSimons other advice of trying of checking the tension in the belt (wobble it up and down and see how much play is on it - it should move, but not loads), check the teeth to make sure it's getting grip & then start looking at the auxillaries to see where the squeal is coming from.
The easiest way is to carefully use a long screwdriver carefully placed against the casing of one of the components and listen to the other end. Just make sure it doens't get tangled up in the fan belt etc...
as for your car been 6 years old, my engine is 30 years old next year and mine doesn't squeal
>> Edited by docevi1 on Sunday 17th April 16:47
The fan belt needs friction to enable it be turned by the engine and turn the alternator, fans, water pump etc - no friction = dead engine.
It'd be much better to follow UltimaSimons other advice of trying of checking the tension in the belt (wobble it up and down and see how much play is on it - it should move, but not loads), check the teeth to make sure it's getting grip & then start looking at the auxillaries to see where the squeal is coming from.
The easiest way is to carefully use a long screwdriver carefully placed against the casing of one of the components and listen to the other end. Just make sure it doens't get tangled up in the fan belt etc...
as for your car been 6 years old, my engine is 30 years old next year and mine doesn't squeal
>> Edited by docevi1 on Sunday 17th April 16:47
WAKE UP BOY! 
should I do a hasty edit 
The squeal is caused by the belt slipping, but it may not be worth worrying about. What's happening is that the alternator finds itself being suddenly asked to recharge the battery after the drain caused by the starter motor. The electromagnetic load stalls the alternator, so the belt slips on the pulley for a couple of seconds until the alternator recovers.
You could tighten the belt and stop the slip, but too much tension can then overload the alternator bearings causing premature failure.
As long as the belt doesn't slip with, say the main beams on, heater going and rear demister on, it should be OK (if a little alarming).
You could tighten the belt and stop the slip, but too much tension can then overload the alternator bearings causing premature failure.
As long as the belt doesn't slip with, say the main beams on, heater going and rear demister on, it should be OK (if a little alarming).
I've got the same problem with my truck with 208,000 miles on it. I was told to rough up the v slot on the pulleys with some Scotch Brite or fine grit sand paper; as the pulleys age they get so polished that even new belts will squeal.
I have found that belt dressing spray (anti-slip) only works for a day or two if the pulleys are polished smooth.
>> Edited by Trooper2 on Sunday 17th April 19:52
>> Edited by Trooper2 on Sunday 17th April 19:52
I have found that belt dressing spray (anti-slip) only works for a day or two if the pulleys are polished smooth.
>> Edited by Trooper2 on Sunday 17th April 19:52
>> Edited by Trooper2 on Sunday 17th April 19:52
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