Alternator belt squeal driving me mad...

[Goodspeed]

OK, so here's the deal. A few months ago I found my alt belt was cracking and obviously worn, so I replaced it with a Dayco belt from Advance. All was fine, until a few weeks later it started squealing like all hell...

Usually, it squeals when started, and goes away within 10 seconds. Sometimes its been much longer, however. Once it even squealed when pulling away from stop lights, but then stopped. It hasn't been a constant thing like some cars on the road. But 99% of the time when the car is warmed up, it goes away; If I make a few stops and start/stop the car it doesn't squeal, but if it sits parked for 5 hours it'll start again.

I have the torque spec for the tensioner, but don't have a gauge to measure the belt tension. So, guesstimating that it was too loose I tightened it. However, if I really romp on it at the top of 1st (high rpm's) it'll slip and squeal; I was told this means its too tight. So, this morning I dislocated the alternator, made sure it was nice and high up on the upper carrier bolt. I screwed the lower bolt back in through the tensioner bracket, then started to play a game of start *squeal* tighten a bit more, start *squeal* tighten even more, and so on until I was back at the beginning with a still-squealing belt.

I know this is simple stuff, but damn if it isn't annoying and obnoxious as hell and I just want it gone. Is the belt faulty, or am I just not getting that perfect sweet spot? Do most shops have the belt tension gauge? I don't want to pay a shop to have this adjusted properly/"fixed" without the proper tools only to have it squeal a week later.

/rant.

[Maengelito]

If its been squealing a lot, chances are the belt is glazed. Just tighten it up a little tighter than spec when you get another new belt.

[ViPER1313]

Troubleshooting step 1 - Did DJ install your belt? If so, please tighten it, as it is currently loose and the tensioner is most likely not bolted down to it's bracket.

I really think your belt is still too loose, or the alternator is bad and causing the belt to squeal at higher RPMs. Squealing after startup, while starting from red lights, or while loading your alternator by turning on headlights / the defroster all indicate a loose belt.

You should barely be able to move a belt up and down if it is properly tensioned. I think the ghetto measure is that you shouldn't be able to twist the belt more than 90-degrees. Just tighten the shit out of it - it has always worked for me.

[HAULN-SS]

are you sure it's a belt and not a bearing?

[NTIman]

Try tightening it, belts can stretch sometimes and come loose. We have had trouble with Dayco belts at the dealership on Toyotas, not any particular vehicle though. They're just a lower quality belt than that you'd get from the OEM in most cases (although I think Dayco makes some of the Toyota belts).
If you tighten it and it still makes noise, spray a little WD-40 on the grooved side of the belt, if it goes away, its likely a belt that has dried up.

[PDenbigh]

With all that squealing, it's likely that it has glazed over and overheated. If you can, put on a new belt and then tighten it after a few cycles, before it starts squealing too much.

Frustrating problem. My alt. belt does it too sometimes.

Good luck!

Peter

[D_Eclipse9916]

Troubleshooting step 1 - Did DJ install your belt? If so, please tighten it, as it is currently loose and the tensioner is most likely not bolted down to it's bracket.

I really think your belt is still too loose, or the alternator is bad and causing the belt to squeal at higher RPMs. Squealing after startup, while starting from red lights, or while loading your alternator by turning on headlights / the defroster all indicate a loose belt.

You should barely be able to move a belt up and down if it is properly tensioned. I think the ghetto measure is that you shouldn't be able to twist the belt more than 90-degrees. Just tighten the shit out of it - it has always worked for me.

Fail, tightening the shit out of it causes the belt to be too tight and can wear out the bearings in your water pump, power steering pump and alternator. And whos timing belt is perfect? so go fuck yourself.


Now that thats over....lol. As everyone said, belt may be glazed, also make sure the alignment is good on everyting. 2g DSMs have a problem with the power steering belt loving to squeal in the cold no matter how you get it, because over time the power steering bracket is pretty weak and can cause it to be "off". I replaced my bracket and now no more squeal.

[Goodspeed]

Thanks for the replies. I have no idea how it could've worn itself out after only 3 weeks or so, but I'll try putting another one on again and hopefully getting the tension right this time...

[JustinG]

if you want i can take a look when i get up there friday evening

[Goodspeed]

if you want i can take a look when i get up there friday evening

[Goodspeed]

Shazam...put a new belt on this morning, seated it for 5 mins, checked the tension which was good then returned the old belt under warranty to some dickhead at advance. I went with another Dayco belt which was all they had so I'll keep my fingers crossed that this one doesn't squeal...