about how much does it cost to tighten a belt on my car, it is making a squealing noise?

Question

It's a 1996 Ford Probe.

Answer 1

If it's a Serpentine belt it might have to be replaced, only because one belt drives all the pulleys involved with the engine. If it's separate belts, it should be cheap and any one (maybe a friend) could do it in a manner of minutes for nothing because the repair is so minor. A good shop will show you good intend for such a minor repair in order to have you back for something major. You did good by listening to your car, because a lot of times it will tell you what it needs.

Answer 2

unfortunatly you cant tighten a belt in some cars or trucks you can tighten the belt tensioner but if i were you i would have the belt replaced or a quick temporary and i mean temporary fix would be to get some stuff that you squirt on the belt for just a buck or two belt to stop the squeakling you can get it at just about any car part store DO NOT USE WD40 OR ANYTHING THAT IS A LUBRICANT yuo belts have to have some friction in order to get grip on the pullies if they dont a number of things can go wrong the car might not start or even worse the belt can slip off while driving which means no power steering the guys turns off and you ar caught in a very dangerous situation so go to a licenced professional and have the replace the belt lots of words for an easy answer sorry

Answer 3

it is easy and you can do it yourself, presuming you know what an alternator is, and a power steering pump.
First check the belts to see which are loose , then undo the locking bolt on the alternator or power steering pump whichever is the loose belt, then you will see an adjuster, turn this until the slack has gone out of the belt, then turn one more full turn on the adjuster and then do up the locking bolt again, done.
this job can usually be done while the customer waits about 20 minutes, unless the belt is due for replacement ,IE,belt damaged, or run out of adjustment , then you leave it with them for the day as some of these belts are pigs of things to replace.

Answer 4

it has a automatic belt tension-er, if it is not tension :
the belt is stretched

recipe ;remove & replace the stretched belt.
5 minutes labor plus the new belt

if you put soap on the belt will reduce the noise but will not solve the problem, only make it worse,

if You put coca cola or pepsi on it, You will improve the level of the squealing sound, and the whole neibordhood will notice it.

Answer 5

if it is squealing the belt is already glazed from slipping, tightening will help for awhile but the best bet is to replace it. What ever you do don"t lubricate it this will only make it worse and make you clean the lube off the pullies when you have to put the new one on.

Answer 6

Chances are the belt is dry and should be replaced. They also stretch some over a period of time. Belts should be changed about every 50 or sixty thousand miles regardless how they look

Answer 7

A Turbo can cause that, when your accerlerating, the exhaust gases increase in velocity which turns your turbo at a faster RPM. Could be a "squeel" in your stereo system speakers as well. (sometimes your wires pick up ignition interference and you get that squeeling effect proportionate to your acceleration. you can just shut off the stereo and if still heard, it's probably the Turbo or possibly a belt)

Answer 8

Free...grab a wrench and loosen the bolt in front of the alternator. Push the alternator back to tighten it and then tighten the bolt back up. See...FREE. Your belts are probably just old and stretched out.

Answer 9

Most cars these days have automatic adjusters. You didn't tell us what you have, but if it is making noise, don't adjust it, replace it. When they do it will be tightened up too.

Answer 10

If anything, at most $20.
There are some mechanics, who would probably do it for free.