Why car belt squeals

With the engine off, open the hood and find the belt. Look for any signs of wear on the belt itself — cracks or parts that are a different shade of black or a different finish matte vs.

If it seems normal, leave the hood open, start the engine and look and listen for the squeaks as the car runs. Do they happen when a certain point of the belt reaches a particular point on its path? Watch for any odd movement or vibration of the belt or any of the pulleys. If nothing is immediately visible, your next move depends on your skill set.

When your car talks or squeaks , be sure to listen. Featured , Know How. If you replace early when small amount of wear is found you can avoid a major repair later. A maintenance inspection performed during an oil change visit can reveal that a belt should be replaced. As with any recommendation to replace parts or service work ask that the service adviser show you what they find. Ask to see worn parts like a torn belt, trustworthy auto repair shop will be happy to take you to your vehicle and fully explain why they are making a recommendation.

What is Preventative Vehicle Maintenance? Schedule Service. Look for any discoloration or wetness that may indicate a fluid leak or water on the belt.

However, if it is due to leaking motor oil, coolant, or other engine fluid, the issue is urgent. In this case, bring your vehicle to an expert right away. Inspect the pulleys by looking for any buildup of deposits or worn spots where the belt could catch and become damaged. Also, check the alignment of the belt on the pulleys, they should line up straight. Check the belt tension.

Test the tension at the area where the belt is the longest length between accessories. Firstly, tighten the belt. Generally, this can be done simply by loosening the bolt that holds the pulleys in position.

This product helps eliminate belt slippage by maximizing the power transfer of the belt. It will improve the motor efficiency of the accessory parts it runs on, and also extends the belt life by reducing the overall operating tension.