It can be tough to diagnose if belt squealing on a serpentine belt is from poor belt tension or a bad pulley or worn water pump. This is a simple method to isolate the problem so you don't waste money on unnecessary parts.
@@SchrodingersBox I'm having my squealing car towed in on Monday. A good way to vet a new mechanic. Can't wait to see what he tells me. According to your video, it's a belt issue. We'll see.
Great video! I'm a retired engineer and my issue is not hearing high pitch squeals. The water spray is a good first test,most likely the belt. Thanx guys.👏🏽
You can literally save thousands of dollars by listening to this guy! Thorough, professional and straight to the point without any advertising or promotional bullshit. Huge thumbs up to Schrodingers Box.
This was the exact noise I experienced after I changed out my power steering pump. The pulley needed to go in a bit more. I was about to replace stuff till I watched this video. Can't thank you enough!!!
Nice vid. Just wanted to point out a couple of quick points/tips: 1. Belts are usually not the root cause of noise. Of course they can be, but often people replace that first, a new belt is quiet, but a couple thousand miles later the squeal is back 2. Lots of cars these days use decoupling pulleys on their alternators, and they typically can fail after 70-100k miles. Very quick and easy check is to pop the pulley cap and check for red dust, or remove belt and see if it is hard to turn. If it needs replacement the pulley is half the cost of a new alternator and typically factory alternators are of much higher quality than $150 aftermarket ones. Save your original if it still works and just replace pulley. 3. If alternator is good usually its usually an idler or tensioner. If you've had the squeal a long time, odds are extra vibration/misalignment has put stress on these parts, if they have a lot of miles on them already (100k plus) you might want to replace all of them at this point. Idlers are cheap, tensioners are usually a little more.
We had the same issue on our '91 Ranger 4.0. We had replaced the tensioner and that helped a couple of years ago. We replaced the power steering pump today and the squealing was back. I went through various forums online and remember going through all of the same answers that were there last time. Some of the solutions seemed really unlikely and, frankly, a waste of time. I found your video and liked your logical approach and trouble shooting. Following your suggestion, we checked the alignment of all the pulleys and noted the power steering pump pully was about 1/4 inch out. We used a pulley puller and adjusted the pulley forward until it seemed to be aligned and crossed our fingers as we started the Ranger and the horrible squealing was gone. The truck never sounded better. No belt conditioner, tensioners, expensive belt, or cheap ones. Thank you for taking your time to do the videos. You helped me to look at a solution that I probably would not have found otherwise. Excellent!
Excellent guide, saved me lots of time and money! Even though it seems like common sense I never stopped to do a simple alignment check before trying to diagnose a squeaking belt problem. Thanks so much, you rock!
@Paper, I agree with your assessment and I am confident that your squealing problem will disappear with tension. One other possible cause of this by the way is a small dripping of coolant on a pulley or belt when engine is at rest. The belt squeaks briefly upon startup but soon stops because while running the drip is no longer on the belt for whatever reason (fan blows it, whatever).
Very helpful video. Thanks. A couple of things to note based on my recent experience with it -if there's a lot of crap on the tensioner, idler or other flat-surfaced pulley wheels, that could be the source of the squealing, too. -if there is stuff on the flat surfaced pulley wheels, depending on what it is spraying water on them can cause the belt to slip off (as happened w/my old Dodge van). Once the belt came off I shut 'er down, then cleaned the wheels and belt. Inspected the belt (AOK), then used soap, water and a cloth for it (no solvents that might degrade the belt and nothing abrasive that might cut or scratch it). My old van had so many spots of dried grease, road tar, and God knows what else on the flat-surfaced pulley wheels (idler, tensioner, and water pump in my vehicle) I used an abrasive sponge, soap, windex, and ultimately gasoline and a small wire brush that allowed me to get in there and clean despite the small working space. Didn't quit until the wheels were smooth and dry to the touch When the wheels and belt were smooth and clean I coaxed the belt back into place, minus looping over the tensioner. My van needed a metric wrench (15) to fit the tensioner. You might want to check that you HAVE the right size wrench in advance, especially if you're a "shade tree" mechanic, like me. To work the tensioner at the same time as you finagle the belt into place you'll probably also want a cheater bar for extra leverage. I did. Otherwise it's tough to get enough leverage when leaning/laying across the engine to reach the belt at the tensioner. You may want to have the belt behind the tensioner wheel before you start, too (between the wheel and the engine), so that your wrench/lever isn't in the way when you want to slip the darned belt on. Once cleaned and back on, I bumped the starter a couple of times to ensure the belt was seated properly, verified that, then fired 'er up. Most, but not all, of the squealing was gone. Just a chirrup or three. One final tip - when I got out the squirt bottle to test the pulleys again, a very VERY light shot on the idler wheel (so I could hit near the flat side of the belt) caused the last little squeaks to go away. So another use for your method is to allow just enough slippage for the belt to seat and align itself!
I really like your video. No frills no nonsense, and you are so generous to share your real knowledge at this time and age, where you tell us what really is the problem. That's v generous of you. Thank you.
Seeing this years later. Helped me from getting ripped off. Thank you from a mechanicaly inclined chick. Long time since I had to work on anythng. All under warranty. This was so helpful. Awesome video!
I really didn't know that a bab water pump could make the squealing noise. I was worried that is was something else. The squealing didnt start until the water pump issue. Thank you sir.
Yes sir....I never would have thought of that...this video deserves an award.......I sprayed my belt and it went away...so I bought some belt prolonged conditioner and it got me a few months so I could save some money and change my belt.....man......great tip thanks a million
Thanks for the great help and video!! Belt looked good but I figured that if I were going to adjust it I might as well replace the belt. Took it off and it was cracked all over the place. I could not see it in the engine compartment. New belt and tension took care. Now I have a happy wife! Life is good again
Thanks for the insight, great vid. This kind of stuff is major "slippery slope" territory, people live in fear of problems like this. Lots of money can go missing if you're not careful.
Do you know how much your videos help us old girls who have to take our old cars to a repair shop? Sometimes we turn up the radio and ignore the noise because we assume the cause means an expensive fix. I keep calm and look on RU-vid! Thanks again.
That's a nice explanation of an old school technique. It makes sense that if the sound is from lateral slipping of the belt, lubrication with water would improve it. And it also makes sense that inadequate tension from a failing tensioner would worsen with the lubrication of water spray.
I just wanted to thank you for creating and posting this video! I kept seeing videos of people putting soap on their belts to quiet them down but that just didn't seem right! I knew there could be a more serious issue at play and your video helped me pinpoint it! Loooove your approach and the info you provide! You rock!
Sweet, thanks dude for the walk through. I have an '05 pacifica that just recently started screaming at me, once I figured out it was the belt I knew where to go and now I get to have fun fixing it. Thanks again! =D
Dude! I'm 70 yr old woman, I can't wait to run out and check this tomorrow! In freezing weather, I'd hear a squeal, always needed a jump. Got a new battery, and water pump. Still having problems with battery dying. I don't think it's the alternator. Thanks! Going to subscribe!
I had a squeal in my Ford Ranger at around 16 below, lived with it thought it was just the cold, discovered it was the alternator bearing that was squealing on startup. Discovered it when the alternator bearing froze up - breaking the belt and one of its mounting bolts.
I need to inspect my PS pulley tomorrow, been pulling my hair out for a month now. replaced the tensioner, wp, alt, two different brands of belts, cleaned the grooves with a wore brush. I replaced my PS from a junk yard two months ago. thank you,sir!
Saved this old lady a lot of time & trouble! At least I know what I need done when I go to get it repaired. They tend to take advantage of older women getting their cars repaired! Spraying stopped it so I know my A/C belt is misaligned. Thank you very much for the easy to follow video on car repairs.
Dude, I must say enjoy watching your video; still, this time, I will be watching your videos in the future. Thank you for not doing a 5-minute introduction until you did what you had to show us and how to solve the problem
I can’t believe how many people write telling you they tried the water test," but that it only worked for a minute, what should they do? What where they watching when they wrote? Did they even have the volume on? &^%? You told them, and you showed them… Come on people, stop being so stupid. I’m a 63 year old women, and even I can figure that out. It’s only ignorant not to know, but once you have been told and taught and you still ask the same stupid question… “You’re stupid.” Go buy a new car, you’re not cut out to fix didily.
Applepiebetty Betty, you should see my video on diagnosing a battery that dies overnight. One of the most often asked questionsin the comments is "My battery dies overnight, how can I know if it's the battery or the alternator?". There is no hope for us. None. Christ, look at the comment right above yours.
I had this issue a month ago and performed some poor diagnostic work. The belt had been replaced 2.5 years ago and I cavalierly assumed it wasn't the belt. In addition, the idler pulley was replaced a year ago and I eliminated that. So, I pressed the end of a hammer handle against the tensioner pulley and the tone of the squeak was altered. Hence, I replaced the tensioner. The problem did not go away. Next, I sprayed the belt and the squeak dissipated. Oops. This time, I purchased a quality Gates belt, not the $17.99 model I purchased last time. I could have returned the $39.99 tensioner, but the truck is 18 years old, and I left it in. Great video.
Great vid. Have a quick question. After spraying water, I had a similar reaction in that no matter where I sprayed, the sound diminished shortly, then returned. I'm able to rock my power steering pulley in and out just a hair, but not angled. Also, my alternator pulley doesn't seem to align with any pulleys, seems set in too deep. My questions are: could I work with the alternator bracket to try and bring it out to level, or do I need to space with washers? And, is my power steering pulley supposed to have that in and out play? Thanks in advance for your help
Michael Luciano So the stereotype of an angry (emotional) person of little detailed knowledge being the image of lower class Republican must be correct. Although people are individuals, trends fluctuate and social classes evolve.
Thanks very much for this video. It gave me some ideas to diagnose the squealing on my brother's 99 Dakota. The squealing we hear is mainly when he pushes in his clutch. I did replace the tension pulley about a year ago, so I hope it's not that.
I knew there was a reason that I love you! "More annoying than listening to a liberal." LOL. Thank you for this video. Once again, you have helped me save the day.
Thanks for the Excellent video with the precise list of possibilities. I have been testing for all but belt alignment which would be the problem according to the diagnosis. The squeaky belt noise started a couple weeks after replacing the A/C clutch on my 2001 Mazda Millenia so it is my #1 suspect. However, most of the time the belt eventually stops squeaking after the car runs for awhile, which adds another variable. If alignment is off on the A/C clutch. How do you adjust the A/C pulley position? Shim the whole A/C unit ? Thanks again for the quality video
Great idea. One of my truck belts sqeals intermittently. Ill try water trick tomorrow. I only drive it 500 mikes/yr - mostly in SS&F. I can live with it. Thanks. David Alberta
Hi, Nice to find another video from you, addressing a current situation. I watched a few videos or your's, earlier this summer, helping me replace a fuel injector spider, in my 2000 Jimmy. or some other jobs on it, as there were 7rl major (and minor) issues addressed too effect Jimmy's resurrection. BTW, today, was it's 1st day on the road, undergoing driving trials, as it were, prior to his 1st big 'shake down cruise'. I haven't replaced any of the considerable skid plates, waiting to be sure nothing is leaking (brake lines, gas lines, oil lines to the new radiator, differentials, transfer case, etc....) Now running, there is something chirping a bit, and a 2nd, subtler intermittent squeaking. Nothing like the racket of your specimen. I'll try your methods tomorrow, but just wanted to say hello, and thank you again, for all your previous help!
Schrodingers Box I'm obviously a liberal and an atheist and I guess I find it hard to believe someone that is clearly intelligent and non-religious...votes Republican, but I guess you have your reasons. I just can't imagine what they would be.
Schrodingers Box Thank you for your help first off. I diagnosed my problem to be an alignment issue, my question is and this may be too broad of a question with so many engines out there, but are the power steering pulleys the only ones that are really adjustable? I had no idea that this could be an issue before. Its an 07 tacoma 2.7. The power steering pulley is kind of further away than the rest of the pulleys, and tommorow I will be climbing under the truck with my straightedge to measure all of them. The pulleys that are really close to each other are mainly at the bottom of the engine. The belt looks good, however it does favor one side of the power steering pulley a bit. Not much, but I dont know how much it would take to cause a squeek either. My last question, if I need a pulley adjusted, is it worth it to buy the tool, or just have someone get it aligned for me?
cool video dude. I'm in Tucson and monsoon saxon just started. I was driving in the water and this squealing started up on my silver ado. Im gonna try your tricks. Thx!
Your the bomb . mine was making the same noise. Now the power steering belt came off. No more of that horrible sound. Now I need a new belt and realignment.
5 лет назад
"More annoying than listening to a liberal" .... hilarious!!
I laughed out loud at that too, and I'd be classed as liberal, sort of :-)
4 года назад
@@the3sounds I grew up in Tree Hugger, liberal California yet I love my liberal friends. My boomer age just is that. We can have differences but we still get along, hang out etc....
If disagreeing with what the current president is TWEETING and DOING - makes me a "LIBERAL" - than, damn skippy - I am a liberal. And my brother is a liberal and a better car mechanic than you.
That doesn't make you a liberal by definition, so you're lucky. You still may be on the right side. The rest of your comment is irrelevant and merely bitter emotional response without even reviewing the facts. Wait... yeah, THAT would make you a liberal.
@@LORDRA1DEN Lmao. Liberal response. If Trump was a Nazi's like u say? Your Ass wouldn't be making that comment'' dumbass. U morons don't even know what a Nazi is or capable of what they could do. That's why everyone laughs at u moronic freaks...
Thanks for your tutorial. I will try check with water and after pulley alignment. In my case when i turn on electrical features like light or AC it's sounding, may alternator pulley ? See you. my car : TERIOS DAIHATSU 2001 J100
VERY HELPFUL. 3 MECHANICS 2 DEALERS AND 1400$ later. i decided to watch this video and fixed the issue . wow i cant beleive .. i wassted all that. time and money. your smart budd
Is that all you haver Adam? The result of not thinking rationally but instead reacting emotionally. Think rationally. Just give it a try. Unless you are too stupid and incompetent because you depend on rich people like me to live.
Your right, that squealing is more annoying than a liberal, but certainly not more annoying than Trump. I'd hammer a chopstick into my ear, before I'd listen to Trump.
thanks for sharing, I have an 07 tundra 4.7.chkengine light came on . took it to autoparts to chk,said it was timing belt. 105,000miles.very minor noise. nothing loud. should I just do it, not an easy or cheap job cuz water pump kit as well
I've been looking for an video that was actually informative on squeezing belts. I bought 2 new ones, and finally took it to a dealer on vacation because I couldn't stand the squeal anymore. Their answer, buy our belt. Thanks for the video! Going to work on getting rid of this squeal.
I have a Buick Century Custom 1999 with a new power steering pump, new water pump, and it still sounding like a bad power steering pump, my electromechanical says that the a/c compressor clutch is bad, he told me that the sound comes from there, but I don't know, when I turned on the a/c compressor the sound calms down a little bit. What do you think?
Thank you so much! Your video helped me silence the squeal in my 2001 Chevy Silverado. It has been driving me and my family nuts off and on for years! After several trips to several mechanics and coughing up close to $1K, I watched your video, spend $18 at Harbor Freight, and re-aligned my power-steering pump pulley myself. The silence is golden.
James Hough I got a 2001 Chevy suburban with a squeaky noise so far I changed the belt , tensioner and idle pulley and still have the noise... how did you re-aligned the power steering pulley??
Hi, nice video, great content, I have question for you and maybe you could help with this. I have a Mazda Tribute 2008 4 cyl. I lost the serpentine and noticed that the top pulley was loose, so I removed it and say that the washer behind it was damaged (it's for the power steering pulley) according to a diagram I found online. The pulley is still good, not damaged. Would you know where to get that washer part without having to change all the pulleys? Many thanks, John
I watched this video a few times last year before I put it in storage when I was trying to diagnose a belt wear issue on my LT1 Camaro. Just recently subscribed though as you can tell by all my recent comments. I was going through belts every 200 kms or so. They were wearing near the front of the belt (towards rad) about one rib length. The water test indicated a misalignment but because not all my pulleys had the same lip thickness, a straight edge wasn't very helpful and it was hard to compare smooth surface pulleys to ribbed pulleys. I did buy a gates laser alignment tool and everything looked perfectly aligned. I checked multiple times. I did notice a new wear pattern on my power steering pulley that was approximately 1 rib wide and it seemed to have a tiny bit of play in it. I could move the pulley back and forth a small amount. So I hate to admit it, but I took an educated guess and installed a new pump and pulley. There's about 100kms on it and I don't see any wearing on the front of the belt like last time. If I'm wrong, I'm thinking a thermal camera would show excessive heat where the pulley is misaligned. They're used for tire misalignment, so my logic is it should work for front engine accessories.
Thanks my dude, I just woke up this beautiful winter morning in Phoenix AZ and turned on my war horse 22yr old Honda Accord and heard that noise. I was like hmm sounds like a belt component or a belt goin bad then I watched your video and heard .2 seconds of that shit and was like….right again. Thanks for the help.
Do u have a video showing how to replace one of the pulleys? The bottom pulley under the water pump has a torn "rubber outer lip" and everything else is fine with it. And it does have a squeak at certain times of driving but it isn't constant and doesn't do it alot.
Good video helpful. I just got my car a few months ago its used. Its a Hyundai elentra 2010. It just started squeaking when it turn it on then it stop when I get going. Also if I move the steering wheel the squeaking get worse until altogether it stops squeaking then when I move the steering wheel its fine. Any idea if I just need to change the belt. It just started out of no where
2003 Mini Cooper s. Had a bad squeaking sound that started last week so I completely replaced tensioner pulley and belt, was fine for a few days but now it's back. I have noticed that the car doesn't make the sound at my car idles or after a good 40 mins of run time. Any suggestions, water pump was also replaced and doesn't seem like it's coming from there.
