Any cures for noisy v belts?

[annie]

Wondering if anyone knows any tried and tested ways to cure well adjusted v belts from squeaking? They aren't slipping, just squeaking at idle which is driving me crazy!:smt101
Thanks in advance. Mike

 

[JediJD]

I believe you will find that the squeaking actually is slippage of some sort. If the belt and the pulleys are in sync, it is a relatively noiseless relationship. The sound is either coming from the pulley itself (there is a bearing allowing it to spin freely) or there is a friction relationship from either the ribs of the belt rubbing against the ribs of the pulley, or the belt rubbing against a resistant pulley. One possible check is a slight application of belt dressing which will decrease belt/pulley slippage, or a touch of lubricant to the back of the pulley to lubricate the bearing.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Before I had engines using single serpentine belts, I used a product (can't remember the name) that was basically a rectangle of sand paper with a self adhesive backing. You simply place the item on an open section of the belt, wrap it around the belt securly, start the engine and let it idle for a minute. Remove the item (or start/stop the engine until the item is in an open space to remove).

This seemed to solve the squeek issues on my v-belts! I may still have one on my boat. If so, I'll post a photo and try to get the name as well.

 

[Bt Doctur]

V belts will squeek/squeal if they go too far into the V , try using a slightly wider belt so that it sits at the top of the V and not in the V

 

[annie]

Thanks for the info guys, I have just had a look and the alternator belt is a different brand from the powersteer belt, it seems to be slightly deeper in the v than the other on the common crank and water pump pulleys. I think Jedijd may be onto it! One must be fighting the other? I'll change them both I think and see how it goes.

Jim, that sandpaper product sounds good for dressing rusty pulleys?

Thanks heaps for the suggestions.