Squeaky Belt

[thomashanno]

Hey,
I live in northern New Jersey and drive a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback
Wagon. I had all of my belts changed a month ago, and now almost every
time I started my car one of the belts (serpentine?) squeaks. I chalked
it up to tension and cold weather at first, but it keeps happening even
now that it's warmer (it was as high as 72 today). Should I call my
mechanic and have him take a look, and see if he can tighten something?


Thanks for any help,
Thomas

 

[Jonathan]

My 98 forester has the same deal..and intermitten but obnoxious squeal
from the belts..the belts are rather new..not sure what to do...it
seems to be worse when the weather is cold...any clues?

 

[Bugalugs]

My 98 forester has the same deal..and intermitten but obnoxious squeal
from the belts..the belts are rather new..not sure what to do...it
seems to be worse when the weather is cold...any clues?

Tighten the fan belt and see if that makes a difference. Probably won't
need much.

 

[Edward Hayes]

If the belts are tensioned to the required amount and they still are
noisy then change the belts. Did you use OEM belts? Some cheap
aftermarket belts are prone to noise after a short while.

 

[ruzicka4613]

Last summer I had the dealership replace the AC, alternator belts, as
well as check all of the other belts. I had some squealing after that
as well. I took it back to have them check the belts, and was told
that all of the belts were at the proper tension, and all looked good.
I still get some squealing at times!

 

[Edward Hayes]

Don't know what to say. My oem belts when properly tensioned do not
squeal ever.

 

[Larry Van Wormer]

Don't know what to say. My oem belts when properly tensioned do not
squeal ever.

I have seen it happen that, with worn pulleys, even properly tensioned
belts can squeal. Only at all likely on high mileage cars, though. In
any case, I'd try them a bit tighter. Usually, there's an acceptable
range of tension. I'd set them so they are at the tighter end of the range.

(This is one area where belt dressing can be a real help. It increases
the friction between the belt and pulley, and can last for a fair amount
of time, weeks or even months. You have to decide whether the gain is
worth the hassle...)

Larry Van Wormer

 

[dnoyeB]

Hey,
I live in northern New Jersey and drive a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback
Wagon. I had all of my belts changed a month ago, and now almost every
time I started my car one of the belts (serpentine?) squeaks. I chalked
it up to tension and cold weather at first, but it keeps happening even
now that it's warmer (it was as high as 72 today). Should I call my
mechanic and have him take a look, and see if he can tighten something?


Thanks for any help,
Thomas

Me too. Bought in January and was fine for a month. Its starting to
squeek now in the morning. Squeels more when I turn the wheel to its
extreme so I am assuming its a power steering pump belt of somr sort.
Only when its first started I think.

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

 

[Phil]

Buy a can of Belt Dressing from an auto shop and see if that helps.

Hey,
I live in northern New Jersey and drive a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback
Wagon. I had all of my belts changed a month ago, and now almost every
time I started my car one of the belts (serpentine?) squeaks. I chalked
it up to tension and cold weather at first, but it keeps happening even
now that it's warmer (it was as high as 72 today). Should I call my
mechanic and have him take a look, and see if he can tighten something?


Thanks for any help,
Thomas

Me too. Bought in January and was fine for a month. Its starting to
squeek now in the morning. Squeels more when I turn the wheel to its
extreme so I am assuming its a power steering pump belt of somr sort. Only
when its first started I think.

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes
9:16

 

[thomashanno]

I bought some Belt Dressing, applied it four different times, and I
still get squeaking. The weather has gotten much nier (~65) but when I
start it up after the engine has been off for a while, it squeaks.

Is tightening the belt something I could manage without a mechanic?
And, should I keep at it with the belt dressing?


Thanks.

 

[Larry Van Wormer]

I bought some Belt Dressing, applied it four different times, and I
still get squeaking. The weather has gotten much nier (~65) but when I
start it up after the engine has been off for a while, it squeaks.

Is tightening the belt something I could manage without a mechanic?
And, should I keep at it with the belt dressing?

I don't think it's worth continuing with the belt dressing. It's a good
product, but likely you need to tighten the belt. If you have the basic
tools needed, it's easy enough to do. (You have checked that it's the
belt that's squeaking? If you are not sure, spray a bit of water on the
belt while the engine is running, and the belt is squeaking. If it
really is the belt, the water will quiet the squeak for a few seconds,
as a confirmation.)

Larry Van Wormer

 

[thomashanno]

I suppose I can try that this weekend when I have someone around to
start the engine. It only squeaks right when I start it up, for
anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds or so, and then it stops completely.

What tools will I need?

I appreciate the help. Thanks.

 

[Larry Van Wormer]

I suppose I can try that this weekend when I have someone around to
start the engine. It only squeaks right when I start it up, for
anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds or so, and then it stops completely.

What tools will I need?

On my MY02 Impreza, it's as easy as I've seen on any car. There is a
separate belt tensioner, positioned very conveniently. For best ease of
access, you have to remove a plastic guard at the top, then it's very
straightforward to adjust the belt. Slightly loosen the nut that locks
the idler pulley in place, then turn the tensioning bolt to tight the
belt as needed. Re-tighten the pulley nut, replace the guard and you're
done. To do that job most easily, I would use a ratchet, extension, and
10 and 12 mm sockets. A 12 mm box-end wrench would be a help to get at
the pulley nut.

If you are not familiar with how tight bolts should be torqued, pay
attention to how tight they feel coming off. The 10mm bolts on the
plastic guard just need to be nicely snug, don't tighten those too much
or they will break. The 12mm bolts can take more torque, but don't
overdo them, either!

Can't help too much if your MY97 is a different setup, but it should be
pretty much self-evident once you have a look at it. Perhaps someone
with a 97 can confirm if it's the same?

Larry Van Wormer

 

[thomashanno]

Hey,
It sounds like it might be fairly easy. I also just checked the Haynes
manual (probably should have done that first) and I think I can handle
it. I'm just not sure how much to tighten it, but I can probably figure
it out from the deflection.

Thanks for the help,
Thomas

 

[AS]

Belts do squeal when the driven component is posing great resistance to
rotation, e.g. a broken a/c compressor.

 

[Bugalugs]

Belts do squeal when the driven component is posing great resistance to
rotation, e.g. a broken a/c compressor.

Or just after starting when the alternator is working hard to replace
the charge which has just been taken from the battery to start the car.

 

[AS]

Agreed, but alternator belt squeal denotes a problem with the belt, it's
tension or the pulleys.

Under normal circumstances, the alternator belt should not squeal even
at full load.