Can You Spray Wd40 On A Squeaky Belt? The 68 Correct Answer

Why does my engine squeak when I turn it on?

Here is a typical scenario:

You start your car in the morning and as soon as the engine starts, you notice a loud, high-pitched squeak. When accelerating or turning, the squeaking becomes louder and more pronounced.

What makes your engine squeak?

Although there are a few causes of a squeaky engine, one of the most common causes is a bad or failing serpentine belt. The V-ribbed belt – or drive belt as it is also known – plays a crucial role in the engine. The belt drives many of the engine’s accessories, including the alternator and power steering pump. So if a serpentine belt breaks, these accessories will no longer work.

Think you might have a bad serpentine belt? One telltale sign is the engine squeal coming from the front of the vehicle and stopping. The belt squeaking is particularly pronounced when accelerating, starting and turning. The noise is loud and sounds like a squeak, loud chirp, or squeak. On the other hand, if your vehicle squeaks when braking, it is most likely due to the brakes rather than the belt.

This article describes some other issues you may notice when your belt is squeaking and ways to tell if your serpentine belt is failing.

How do I know if my serpentine belt needs to be replaced?

A bad belt is hard to miss. You’ll notice the high-pitched, sustained squeak as soon as you start the engine. And if you suddenly accelerate, the squeaking gets worse. On rainy days or those humid summer days, you will notice a greater frequency of squeaking. Unfortunately, a bad belt doesn’t usually turn on the check engine light, and that’s why you should pay attention to the signs and symptoms.

Aside from the high-pitched squeak, a defective or bad serpentine belt also causes other noticeable problems. They include:

Difficult Steering – In many modern cars, the serpentine belt drives the power steering pump. If the squeak is louder when turning – for example when turning – it may be due to a bad belt. If the belt fails you will lose power steering, making it very difficult to turn the steering wheel and can be a safety hazard when driving at higher speeds

Battery Light – The serpentine belt is also used to power the alternator, which uses the electricity generated to charge your battery. Therefore, a failed belt can trigger your car’s low battery warning light, and if the belt fails, your battery will drain faster.

Overheating – In some cases, the V-belt drives the water pump, which plays a vital role in engine cooling. An overheating car can be a sign of a bad belt, and if the belt fails, your vehicle is likely to overheat.

AC Problems – Your car’s AC system uses the serpentine belt to run smoothly. Therefore, you may notice that the chirping starts when you turn on the air conditioner. The squeak is especially pronounced when accelerating with the air conditioning on.

Common problems with serpentine belts

Today’s cars have strong, durable multi-ribbed belts and typically last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles with little maintenance. Over time, wear and tear can put a lot of stress on the belt and pulleys, often resulting in high-pitched chirps when you start and accelerate the car.

Some of the most common serpentine belt problems include:

Worn/Cracked Serpentine Belt – Serpentine belts have grooves that fit into grooves in the pulleys. Over time, friction wears down these grooves, resulting in a loose fit. A worn belt can therefore start to slip, which is one of the causes of squeaking. Alternatively, cracks can cause the belt to snap.

Defective Pulleys – The belt is dragged by multiple pulleys. A bad pulley can cause slippage or misalignment. Regular maintenance can identify pulley problems early.

Misaligned Belt/Incorrect Tension – A belt that is too loose, too tight, or has fallen out of alignment will cause the belt to slip.

Does the noise go away after warming up? In cold climates, a serpentine belt can squeak on unusually cold days. This is because the belt is stiff and brittle. However, often the squeak stops after it has had time to warm up. If you notice a squeak that goes away after warming up and isn’t there on warmer days, the squeak may be weather related.

Is it safe to drive with a squeaky belt?

If the serpentine belt breaks, the vehicle can become inoperable, which would require expensive towing and increase overall repair costs. Also, since the belt drives the power steering pump, a loss of pressure could result in difficult steering, which poses a safety hazard when driving.

It is therefore advisable to replace the V-belt as soon as the squeaking symptoms appear.

Although it can be safe to drive with the squeak for a few days or weeks, eventually the belt will need to be replaced and for safety reasons the sooner it is fixed the better.

What is the cost of replacing a serpentine belt?

A V-belt change is a relatively inexpensive engine repair. The belts are usually somewhat accessible in the engine and therefore easier to replace (e.g. less labor costs). Also, a serpentine belt is not an expensive part, most cost between $30 and $80.

Overall, the cost of replacing a serpentine belt can vary depending on the make and model of your vehicle. Here’s a quick estimate of what to expect:

New Serpentine Belt – $30-$80

1 to 1.5 hours of work – $100-200

Therefore, the total replacement cost is usually in the $150-$250 range, although some vehicle makes and models may cost more to replace. This is because some engines have two belts, with the extra belt usually being used to drive the air conditioning compressor. Also, instead of the normal belt tensioner, your vehicle may require a stretch-fit belt over a “V” construction. Special belts may require more work, so contact us for an accurate price quote.

Think your serpentine belt is failing? Or do you need to diagnose an engine squeal? Hollenshade Auto Repair Service has been serving Towson, MD since 1939. We provide expert auto service for all vehicle makes and models. Call us today (410-828-5750) or book an appointment online.

There are several pulley blocks in front of your car. These pulleys are belt-driven components that function properly through a mechanical force distributed to them by the serpentine belt. When those pulleys or your drive belt go bad, it creates a squeaky noise. When you hear a squeaking or whirring noise in front of your car, no matter the belt noise goes away when warm or not, it can be so annoying and embarrassing.

This squeaking noise is most often caused by a bad V-belt. It gets more annoying when the alternator belt squeaks after the change. In this article, we will look at the causes of squeaky multi-ribbed belts after replacement and how to diagnose and fix the problems.

What causes the alternator belt to squeak after replacement?

There are few reasons why your alternator belt might make whirring or howling noises even after replacement. Without further ado, let’s take a quick look at the causes.

Faulty or bad hydraulic belt tensioner

In some cars, the drive belt is tensioned with the help of a hydraulic belt tensioner. This type of drive belt tensioner is controlled by a small shock absorber that works just like a spring-loaded tensioner.

When this tensioner starts to fail, the car belt squeaks when turning, most often the noise is there when the engine is idling. The symptoms of a defective or bad hydraulic belt tensioner are rattling noises or leaks at the tensioner and the belt.

This component can fail at any time; However, most of them last longer, some don’t.

If you notice noise after changing your alternator belt, you need to check your hydraulic belt tensioner (if your car uses such a tensioner). This type of belt tensioner is common on Toyota Corolla and Toyota Matrix.

Defective or bad spring loaded tensioner

As the name suggests, it works with the help of a strong spring. The spring helps automatically adjust the drive belt while the engine is in motion. If the spring goes bad, it will cause the tensioner to go back and forth. When this happens, either your drive belt will intermittently snap or your car will start to squeak. This belt tensioner is common in today’s vehicles.

Defective tension bearing or idler pulley

In some cars there are some pulleys that won’t hold anything when you remove your V-belt. These rollers are referred to as take-up bearings or idler rollers. These are mostly seen on vehicles that are driven with just one giant belt. These bearings have a small bearing inside that provides optimal turning. When the small bearing fails, it makes a squeaking or whirring noise. This type of noise is difficult to identify where it is coming from as there are many belt driven pulleys that make the same noise when broken.

To easily tell if the idler pulley is causing the new serpentine belt to squeak at startup, you’ll need to get a stethoscope to diagnose where the squeaking noise is coming from. Defective alternator bearings, steering pump, AC compressor bearings and water pump produce similar noises. If thorough investigation proves the noise is coming from your idler pulley, simply buy a new one and replace it.

Belt or pulley misalignment

As you know, in your car there are several pulleys that are connected with the help of a drive belt. Most of the components in your cars are belt driven devices. For example, the alternator works best with the serpentine belt connecting it to the engine pulley, allowing the alternator to rotate along with other belt-driven components in your car.

Belt or pulley misalignment is a common problem that causes replaced multi-ribbed belts to still squeak. Misalignment means the grooves on your belt are not aligned with those on your pulley. It also says that you slide the belt in or out a little in one of the pulleys.

Bad belt

Because the serpentine belt’s primary goal is to transfer power from your engine pulley to other belt-driven components, it creates a whirring or squeaking noise.

If you notice a squeaking noise after replacing your alternator belt, the new belt is likely either too tight, too loose, or one of the causes described.

Also Read: The Best Power Steering Pulley Puller Reviews

How do you fix a squeaky alternator belt?

If you’re still reading to this point, you’ll want to know how to diagnose and fix belt squeak. Nevertheless, I will explain step by step how to find out where the squeaking noise is coming from and how to fix it. You’ll know if the noise is caused by a bad bearing, bad tensioner, bad belt, or pulley misalignment.

Before you start, you need to pay special attention to your motor fan, it can snap your fingers off if you’re not careful. On some vehicles, the fan will start rotating immediately when you turn on the engine, while on some newer cars it doesn’t work that way – stay away from this unit in any case. You’ll need a proper tool box nearby, as some cars’ belt tensioner requires a special tool to pull.

Step 1: Accurately assess the cause of the squeaking when the engine is off. Depressor pulls up the fan belt and checks if your belt is too loose or too tight. If your belt is worn, the pulley may not be able to put enough pressure on the belt, which can cause the squeak.

Step 2: Turn on your engine while it squeaks, spray it with WD40 or water and see if the noise stops. Be sure to spray this liquid into the pulley grooves. If the noise persists, you have a bad pulley or tensioner. If it stops, it indicates you have a bad belt or pulley misalignment.

Step 3: Look at the pulleys and belt tensioner and see if they run straight. Examine the pulleys individually to see their rolling condition. You may need an under hood work light to inspect the idler pulleys.

Step 4: Take a close look at the drive belt while your engine is idling, check if it is running straight or side to side.

Step 5: If after the previous steps above you cannot identify where the noise is coming from, turn off your engine. Remove the strap. Depending on the type of car you are working on, you will need a quality brand of mechanic’s tools. Check for marks on the strap. Few marks on the belt does not mean the belt is bad. But if the marks are severe, that’s an indication that the belt is long gone and needs replacing.

Step 6: Hold the pulleys and play them back and forth. This way you will find out any bad pulley. Some pulleys always play easily – for example, the power steering pump pulley always plays whether it is good or not. However, you can tell when things are going bad by the way you play. Replace or repair the component causing the squeaking noise.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What happens if the alternator belt is too loose?

If your alternator belt becomes too loose while driving, it will cause a number of problems with your car. Your alternator will not run properly, causing the alternator to have a low charge and eventually stop charging. If your car runs for a long time with a loose alternator belt, your car will shut down after the battery is drained. Always make sure your alternator belt is well tensioned but not too tight as this has its own effect.

Q: How do I stop my auxiliary strap from squeaking?

Don’t get confused, an auxiliary belt is the same as a drive belt, alternator belt and fan belt. The best way to stop a squeaking auxiliary belt is to first diagnose and fix the source of the noise. A squeaky auxiliary insert can be caused by belt misalignment, bad belts, or bad pulleys. Just find out where the noise is coming from and replace or repair it.

Q: Is it bad to drive with a squeaky belt?

It is recommended that a squeaky belt be replaced or repaired as soon as you notice a squeaky noise. However, driving with a squeaky belt for the first few days you notice the squeaky noise can be safe.

Q: Can I put WD40 in a squeaky belt?

Yes, WD40 can be used to remove rust on the belt and pulley grooves. It’s advisable to spray WD40 on your belt grooves, but you should be careful not to saturate this lubricant on the belt. Too much WD40 on your belt will severely damage the belt.

last words

Adequate attention should be paid to your alternator belt as it contributes to the optimal functioning of your engine system.

All in all, your engine system will not perform optimally without your alternator belt. If at any point you notice squeaking noises in your car, whether or not your alternator belt squeaks after replacement, make sure you give it the proper attention. The noise must be stopped.

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Top Tech Automotive knows there’s nothing more embarrassing than driving through the streets of the greater Billings area with a fan belt squeaking under the hood. Aside from being embarrassing, a squeaky V-belt can be slightly, if not terribly, annoying if squeaked for long periods of time. Sometimes a belt will squeak when starting a vehicle and disappear shortly after. However, in other cases, the squeaky belt problem persists as long as the car engine is running. Top Tech Automotive is happy to offer the following free automotive repair consultation to our customers in the Billings area who are having a squeaky fan belt issue.

Belt dressing is a product available at most auto repair stores that can work wonders if package directions are followed correctly. Belt Dressing has the ability to work wonders to stop a belt squeaking and prevent the squeaking from returning for some time after application.

When a belt squeaking problem arises, when it is not possible to buy belt bandages, or when it is more desirable to save on costs, there is an “old fashioned” way to stop a belt from squeaking – a bar of soap! That’s right, ordinary bar soap can usually stop the squeak when rubbed on a fan belt. Just a few rubs of bar soap on the strap can solve the latch squeaking problem for some time and save you money in the process.

Top Tech Automotive always emphasizes to our customers in the Billings area with a squeaky fan belt that it is always important to be safe when working near an engine and shutting off the engine is your best bet when either belt fertilizer or piece Soap can be applied to a fan belt to solve a squeaky belt problem.

Top Tech Automotive knows there’s nothing more embarrassing than driving through the streets of the greater Billings area with a fan belt squeaking under the hood. Aside from being embarrassing, a squeaky V-belt can be slightly, if not terribly, annoying if squeaked for long periods of time. Sometimes a belt will squeak when starting a vehicle and disappear shortly after. However, in other cases, the squeaky belt problem persists as long as the car engine is running. Top Tech Automotive is happy to offer the following free automotive repair consultation to our customers in the Billings area who are having a squeaky fan belt issue.

Belt dressing is a product available at most auto repair stores that can work wonders if package directions are followed correctly. Belt Dressing has the ability to work wonders to stop a belt squeaking and prevent the squeaking from returning for some time after application.

When a belt squeaking problem arises, when it is not possible to buy belt bandages, or when it is more desirable to save on costs, there is an “old fashioned” way to stop a belt from squeaking – a bar of soap! That’s right, ordinary bar soap can usually stop the squeak when rubbed on a fan belt. Just a few rubs of bar soap on the strap can solve the latch squeaking problem for some time and save you money in the process.

Top Tech Automotive always emphasizes to our customers in the Billings area with a squeaky fan belt that it is always important to be safe when working near an engine and shutting off the engine is your best bet when either belt fertilizer or piece Soap can be applied to a fan belt to solve a squeaky belt problem.

Avoid customer comebacks by properly addressing belt noise.

Belt noise can be a real nuisance for you and your customers, prompting them to bring their vehicle to you. As an automotive professional, this problem can be solved, but there are many misconceptions about the proper way to diagnose and fix belt noise.

The most common misconception is that you can simply treat belts with a chemical or solvent such as belt conditioner, soap, brake fluid, silicone spray, or brake cleaner. Not only are these approaches quick fixes that mask the symptom rather than solve the problem, these contaminants can actually damage the belt beyond repair. So, before you know it, your client will be coming back with the same tape noise problems. Often even replacing the belt is a temporary solution as belt noise is usually a signal that there is a problem elsewhere in the accessory belt drive system.

Our research has identified two main causes of belt noise:

1. Loss of tension in the drive: This is typically indicated by a squeaky belt when the engine is started. The belt is squeaking because the belt drive system is not properly tensioned. This is usually caused by a worn auto-tensioner, but other causes can include a dirty belt (oil, belt polish, etc.) or a belt that is too long or worn. Loss of tension causes the belt to slip, which in turn generates heat that can lead to premature belt, pulley, and component bearing failure.

The solution: If the belt makes noise, the tensioner should always be checked. If the tensioner is worn, it should be replaced. Also ensure that the correct belt is installed on the vehicle and that it is not excessively worn by checking it with the Gates belt wear gauge. Be sure to also inspect the accessory belt drive system for fluid contamination. If a leak is found, repair it and recheck the system to make sure the problem has been fixed. If the belt has been contaminated by the leak, it should also be replaced.

2. Misalignment: A chirping belt usually indicates an alignment problem between one or more components in the drive. Components that are misaligned by even one degree can create belt whine as the belt ribs slide down one side of the pulley grooves.

The solution: If you hear the belt chirp, fix the alignment issues. The easiest way to correctly diagnose a misalignment is to use a laser alignment tool.

By solving the root cause of belt noise, you can fix belt noise problems the first time, eliminate customer feedback and significantly extend the life of existing and future belts. In this video we explain more about the noise of heavy duty belts and how to deal with it: www.youtube.com/watch