Squeaky fan belt?

Question

I've put wd40 on it
it's ok until it dries out again
Any ideas on a better oil as this belt is fine just dried out

Answer 1

Go back to the auto parts store and get a can of Belt Dressing. It's an aersol just like WD40. Works great.

It's designed specifically for squeaky belts. Just because they're noisy doesn't automatically mean they're worn out. I have a brand new fan belt that squealed from day one. I'm assuming you've already checked for cracks.

Answer 2

It really depends. Some cars only have one belt that runs from the engine to the water pump, alternator, and air compressor. Other cars have a belt that just runs from the air compressor to the engine and another that goes from the engine to the alternator and waterpump. If your compressor belt is gone you wont have air conditioning, but your car will still run. If the other belt goes then your car can overheat when the waterpump isn't working or it wont run if the alternator isn't charging the battery. I can't recall ever seeing a car with a belt going to the fan. The fans usually run from an electrical wire and not from the turning of the engine (Which would require a belt). If your noise is squealing it's probably a loose belt and not a bearing. Bearings usually make a sort of chirping sound when they are going bad, but you more than likely just have a loose belt. If it squeals all the time, your components may not work properly and it would cause your car to break down. If it just squeals when you accelerate from a stopped position you shouldn't have a problem.

Answer 3

Er, you sure its a fanbelt? Cars haven't had fanbelts for years?

I assume you mean the Auxiliary drive belt that runs off the crankshaft and onto the alternator?

Belts should be dry, lubricating them is the last thing you should do. By adding WD40 you're lubricating it, whereas what you actually want it to do is grip more, since the squeeling is the belt slipping round the pulley as its not tight enough.
Slacken the alternator mount, slide the alternator outwards and retighten. That'll sort the squeeling out.

If youre at the limit of tension then you need a new belt. It may look fine but they stretch over time. They only £15 to relplace anyway.

Answer 4

It shouldn't be necessary to spray anything on a fan belt. The most effective cure is to get a new belt, make sure the pulleys are clean and put the new one on. For what a belt, costs, it's worth doing it, then you know you have a good belt.

Answer 5

Hi

The idea of spraying WD40 on a belt is to displace the moisture that is making it squeal, not to lubricate it and cause it to slip.

If the WD40 is not fixing the problem then you need to renew the belt before it either snaps or burns itself onto the bottom pulley.

Cheers

Geordie

Answer 6

i would recomend degrease the belt and pulleys as dirt and grit can cause it to squeak.also check the tension of the belt is correct as that will cause it to squeak.If the belt is reasonably hard and dry i would replace it anyway as the harder the belt is the eaier it will break.i would recomend not using oils as they can be a deterient.also check its not a pulley.i also dont suggest using any aerosol product that stops squeaks as they make a mess under the hood.

Answer 7

belts should not be oiled. If it's dried out, then it's got tiny cracks. Replace the belt.

Answer 8

Belts just get dry rotted over time and cracked witch casuses the noise your hearing I would just replace it. You could try belt dressing from a auto parts store but well it may not work.

Answer 9

Fan belts normally squeak, when they are loose, try tightening the belt. If the belt it as tight as it can go you'll need to change the belt.

Answer 10

It usually squeaks because of incorrect tension. Mostly it is too loose. Try to tighten it but don't lubricate the belt.