| Author | Message | ||
     Chuck C. Unregistered guest Posted From: 70.232.163.11 |
Guys, I have an odd belt squeak on my Brooklands. It's not the typical loose fan belt screech... At idle ONLY, the car has a constant 'squeak-squeak-squeak' coming from the belt area below the alternator. A quick spray of Armor All, 303, Tire shine, or whatever quiets it down immediately; then it's good for about a day before the squeaking starts again. Belts are new; not sure what I should check. Where are all the tension adjusters for the belt-driven components? I can see the ones at the top of the motor, those I tightened a bit (I think those were the alternator and a/c). That did not help squeak. Are there some at the bottom of the engine? I tend to think maybe it's a belt misalignment or rubbing or something, as the lubrication effect of the Armor All instantly stops the squeaking. Ideas? Thanks, Chuck C. in Illinois USA (Message approved by david_gore) | ||
| David Gore Moderator Username: david_gore Post Number: 1350 Registered: 4-2003 |
Each time I have encountered this problem, it has been associated with belts that have lost their flexibility with age. Whilst you say they are "new" belts, you do not have any idea how long they have been sitting on the shelf in the distribution channel between the manufacturer/distributor/retailer. Ozone is notorious for degrading elastomers and if the belts have been stored near electric motors, circuit breakers/relays or other devices where electrical arcing has been a regular occurrence; this can also be a reason for premature hardening of the belts. Belt squeal[not squeaking] caused by loose belts usually occurs when the belt suddenly comes under load e.g. the A/con compressor cutting in or the steering coming into a full-lock position. | ||
| Richard Treacy Grand Master Username: richard_treacy Post Number: 2944 Registered: 4-2003 |
Chuck, You are almost certainly hearing the matched pair of power steering belts. They run over twin pulleys with a single adjustment at the steering pump for both in parallel. The slightest difference in belt size between the two can cause the squeal especially with new belts until bedded in fully: they fight eachother by running at minutely different speeds. For that reason it is always best to buy a matched pair in one box rather than two of the same nominal size separately. Armour All and the like will stop it for a very short time as you have found. A dab of Molyslip silicone grease will shut them up for a long time. Best nip up the belt tightness just a little too as the belt sizes will correct themselves more quickly that way. You may adjust the tension from underneath the motor at the steering pump. RT. | ||
| Paul Yorke Grand Master Username: paul_yorke Post Number: 1132 Registered: 6-2006 |
chuck. you can also get that sort of noise if a pulley has got rusty on one side for some reason. This can take ages to wear off. |
