Screeching Noise Comming From Belts

kevin310 · Postby **kevin310** » June 6th, 2008, 1:01 pm

I recently changed Timing Belt and Some AC belts
I noticed since then
That on mornings when i start
The belts Screech a little
For about 15 seconds
After that it stops
What could be causing this ?
How can i stop it ?

Rory Phoulorie · Postby **Rory Phoulorie** » June 6th, 2008, 1:03 pm

Are the belts (p/s, a/c, alt.) tensioned properly :?:

Postby **Dave** » June 6th, 2008, 1:12 pm

check tension and then may also need some belt dressing

kevin310 · Postby **kevin310** » June 6th, 2008, 1:19 pm

belt dressin meaning what exactly ?
moving the belt horizontally on the pully ?
to me it looks properly tensioned
but wat u all think would more likely case the noise
if its too slack or too tight ?
im thinking slack

Postby **Dave** » June 6th, 2008, 1:23 pm

generally u want about 1/4" to 1/2" deflection on the belt when properly tensioned
belt dressing is a spray used to lubricate the belt
yes the noise is a slack situation

kevin310 · Postby **kevin310** » June 6th, 2008, 1:30 pm

Dave wrote:generally u want about 1/4" to 1/2" deflection on the belt when properly tensioned
belt dressing is a spray used to lubricate the belt
yes the noise is a slack situation

humm
i need to check it again
can u tell me a brand name of the belt dressing
or where i can get it to buy , an a cost ,
if i leave this as is , can it cause serious damage ?
thanks

Postby **Dave** » June 6th, 2008, 1:37 pm

prestone one is popular with the auto parts places, just ask for belt dressing
abouts $20 for the tin but check back the tension first

kevin310 · Postby **kevin310** » June 6th, 2008, 1:42 pm

will do
would see about this tomoro
and report back
thanks man

Postby **crazybalhead** » June 6th, 2008, 2:26 pm

According to Andy (RIP) you don't need belt dressing, they just need to be tensioned properly when the car is cold.

That is a common thing, mech changes belts on a hot day in a hot engine. WHen the pulleys cool down at night the belt runs slack.

Make sure and tension the belts when cold.

Rx · Postby Rx » June 6th, 2008, 3:57 pm

in the mean while .... sprinkle a little water on those belts to stop the squeaking until u get the belt dressing :idea:

kevin310 · Postby **kevin310** » June 6th, 2008, 4:18 pm

im goin to see about this first thing tomoro
thanks
would postt results

RBphoto · Postby **RBphoto** » June 7th, 2008, 2:28 pm

Fyah bun belt dressing. I used it before. Somtimes it masks the slack belt, resulting in you running the car with a slack belt for longer. End result? A burnt alternator and a dead battery. If used it should be used VERRY sparingly, like one half second shot to each side of the belt, and allow the pulleys to spread it.

Jack the Ripper · Postby **Jack the Ripper** » December 6th, 2011, 6:14 am

*resurrected*

Checking belt tension by just eye-balling deflection seems a bit dodgy. I've seen belt tension meters for sale online, where you can measure deflection vs force applied. Has anyone seen these on sale locally? Thinking about a DIY thermostat + water pump + pulley + belts replacement and one of these meters would be most handy, since the Mazda service manual has very specific belt figures for belt deflection + force applied....