Squealing Belts...AHHH!

Clyde Frog · May 25, 2010

Okay, so my belts were squealing a bit. Not terribly, but enough to annoy me when it idled. To remedy this, I bought Prestone Belt Dressing, applied it as the can said, and went about my merry way. My belt noise increased drastically with the addition of this crap and has been consistently loud and obnoxious since then. It's been about 4 days now. I can hear the squealing over the wind noise when I'm going 55 MPH with all 4 windows down and it's even worse when accelerating.

Should I try a good undercarriage wash to try to get some of that "dressing" out of there and see if it decreases when dry? A friend tells me after-the-fact that his belt noise in his Dodge got worse after he applied the dressing as well.

Or is this a different concern like maybe a tensioner that I should replace?

Ahhhh confused2.gif

belvedere · May 25, 2010

Personally, I'd clean all of the pulleys with brake cleaner and then put a new belt on.

yellocoyote · May 25, 2010

I would start looking for the cause of the squeal... first things that come to mind is to remove the belt and check/replace pulleys - tensioner and/or idler - and replace the belt. I missed this once while far from home (Colorado), and had this happen out on the interstate:

You must be registered for see images

Idler pulley seized.

I check it often now.

ThunderbirdJunkie · May 25, 2010

belvedere said:
Personally, I'd clean all of the pulleys with brake cleaner and then put a new belt on.

This + new tensioner pulley.
Belt dressing never works. Horrible stuff.

LibertyTC · May 25, 2010

X2 as above photo demonstrates.
Anytime the belt get changed, it is sound advice to replace idler pulley and tensioner.idea.gif
Also ensure all accessory pullies are in good shape and not about to go ka poof/seize and rip the belt off again.

Ie: if your AC/clutch seizes watch the rippin of your new belt to pieces. (not a Kodak moment)headscratch.gif

Clyde Frog · May 25, 2010

Some of my pulleys look quite rusty. Damn! And I got excited to put my tax refund check into my savings account

tjkj2002 · May 25, 2010

1st never use belt dressing on a serp belt,will destroy the belt.

2nd put on new tensioner,I recommend Dayco or Gaterback tensioners,and then add a EPDM belt.OEM or Gates are EPDM which will last far longer then Poly belts(Neoprene),Poly belts are gaterbacks and dayco belts which are just junk.Just fork over the extra $$ for a good OEM EPDM belt.

LibertyTC · May 25, 2010

Well there is a set of new words, EPDM=
Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer
Try and say that backwards 5 times...

http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=5148&location_id=5213 for info only
They have a search for part example: http://www.gates.com/part_locator/index.cfm?location_id=3598

Here is an interesting read comparison & inspection between Neoprene vs. EPDM
Got to bottom "More Tech Tips On Gates Belts"
and download the pdf:
"Gates Neoprene vs. EPDM Construction"
http://www.repcotrade.com.au/go/news/tips-on-gates-epdm-belts

Clyde Frog · May 25, 2010

tjkj2002 said:
1st never use belt dressing on a serp belt,will destroy the belt.

2nd put on new tensioner,I recommend Dayco or Gaterback tensioners,and then add a EPDM belt.OEM or Gates are EPDM which will last far longer then Poly belts(Neoprene),Poly belts are gaterbacks and dayco belts which are just junk.Just fork over the extra $$ for a good OEM EPDM belt.

It said "Safe for all belts"

I feel like a little kid who got tricked out of candy

tjkj2002 · May 25, 2010

Clyde Frog said:
It said "Safe for all belts" I feel like a little kid who got tricked out of candy

You sure did.Now the fun part is cleaning all that junk off of all the pulley's.

mag03kj · May 25, 2010

I put it on my old belt! Then a week later i put a new one on and there was not belt dressing on the pulleys!

yellocoyote · May 25, 2010

Clyde Frog said:
It said "Safe for all belts" I feel like a little kid who got tricked out of candy

A lot of the new coolants say they are good for all vehicles too... but we know that's not true.

These forums are a blessing sometimes.

mag03kj · May 25, 2010

yellocoyote said:
A lot of the new coolants say they are good for all vehicles too... but we know that's not true.

These forums are a blessing sometimes.

X5

kb0nly · May 26, 2010

I wish they would stop making and selling that damn belt dressing... What a horrible snake oil product that is. Sure there was a time this stuff was useful, but not anymore in my opinion. Its just an old habit that hasn't, and should, die among parts stores.

A squealing belt now days means a problem, worn belt, stretched belt, worn tensioner, etc.. Not going to fix that by LUBRICATING your belt... Thats all your doing. If you want the same effect for free then the next time you change your oil save the used oil and pour it on all your pulleys.... (dont really do that)

Chances are your just due for a new belt and tensioner. Do you need to replace the tensioner EVERY time you replace the belt? I don't have the answer to that, because i havent replaced mine yet, but i think the main thing here is if you replace the belt and your still experiencing belt slippage, or if there is any wobble/play in the tensioner pulleys then replace it. On other vehicles i have worked on if its up there in mileage and it appears to be the original i just replace it, better than having an upset owner back in two days complaining of belt noise in the morning, or having to clean everything after some idiot put belt dressing on. NO offense intended to you, you learned your lesson and we all have to.

ridenby · May 26, 2010

Clyde Frog said:
Okay, so my belts were squealing a bit. Not terribly, but enough to annoy me when it idled. To remedy this, I bought Prestone Belt Dressing, applied it as the can said, and went about my merry way. My belt noise increased drastically with the addition of this crap and has been consistently loud and obnoxious since then. It's been about 4 days now. I can hear the squealing over the wind noise when I'm going 55 MPH with all 4 windows down and it's even worse when accelerating.

Should I try a good undercarriage wash to try to get some of that "dressing" out of there and see if it decreases when dry? A friend tells me after-the-fact that his belt noise in his Dodge got worse after he applied the dressing as well.

Or is this a different concern like maybe a tensioner that I should replace?

Ahhhh confused2.gif

Belt dressing is for V-belts,serpentine belts hate that stuff,clean pulleys with brake cleaner,replace tensionor ,pulley.

belvedere · May 26, 2010

Here you can request a free wear gauge: http://www.gatesprograms.com/beltwear/beltwear

Clyde Frog · May 26, 2010

Got an undercarriage wash today and it quieted down. To the mechanic...soon! It's been too nice out this week

kb0nly · May 29, 2010

Clyde Frog said:
Got an undercarriage wash today and it quieted down. To the mechanic...soon! It's been too nice out this week

The undercarriage wash probably hosed down the belt and pulleys enough to slick around the belt dressing and also quiet things down due to being wet. After it all dries the noise will be back i bet..

No worries, just put on a new belt and tensioner and ride on!

BjBnet · May 29, 2010

tjkj2002 said:
2nd put on new tensioner,I recommend Dayco or Gaterback tensioners,

where can I get these? Any parts store or maybe one of the Jeep parts stores online? I'll search in the meantime....and thanks!

belvedere · May 29, 2010

BjBnet said:
where can I get these? Any parts store or maybe one of the Jeep parts stores online? I'll search in the meantime....and thanks!

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