Persistent Belt-Squeaking - RPM Tied
#1
Buildup Thread Encourager
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Persistent Belt-Squeaking - RPM Tied
I get an engine belt squeaking sound randomly. Sometimes it's there badly and sometimes nothing at all. I see no pattern or ties to weather (humidity?). It's worse in the lower RPM ranges.
I've had my belts replaced twice now this year and had a mechanic take a look at the pulleys the second time ("they look fine") but they keep squeaking.
It's driving me MAD
First set of belts was from autozone, second set from Mazda dealer (Ocean Mazda).
Should I go to another mechanic or am I missing something obvious?
I've had my belts replaced twice now this year and had a mechanic take a look at the pulleys the second time ("they look fine") but they keep squeaking.
It's driving me MAD
First set of belts was from autozone, second set from Mazda dealer (Ocean Mazda).
Should I go to another mechanic or am I missing something obvious?
#7
Cake or Death?
iTrader: (2)
The AC belt is easy to remove, no ill effects driving without it.
PS is worse but can be done, at least for the length of a short drive to see if that's the one.
Alternator and airpump (if still present) are impossible, you'll just have to guess.
I've only had squeaking belt problems once and it was solved by simply switching brands.
Oddly, the offender was a new Bando which is the brand preferred by many and a Gatorback eliminated the squeak.
Assuming you don't have a pulley misalignment, perhaps a different brand might help.
Trending Topics
#8
Engine, Not Motor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 29,789
Likes: 0
Received 108 Likes
on
91 Posts
Belt dressing is just a fix for worn belts. Considering the belts are under $10, it makes sense just to replace them. Clean up the pulley grooves at the same time to remove any rust or debris.
#10
Lives on the Forum
iTrader: (5)
I use it regularly on my supercharger belt, as the slippage is a norm for them. I just apply the day I plan to race and makes the belt stick like **** to a blanket.....
#12
Buildup Thread Encourager
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Miami, FL
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I bought some belt conditioner and was able to reduce the squeaking enough to know it's mostly the AC belt.
Although I said I replaced the belt set twice, the second time around I hadn't changed the AC belt because the Mazda dealership had it on backorder for months (wtf?). I called back recently and they still haven't gotten it in. They wont give me a refund without a receipt - as if it's 1990 again. Idiots.
My friend also suggested I should take sandpaper to my pulleys if they seem slick (the belt contact patches are all almost like a mirror shine). Make sense?
Here's my questions:
1) Can I just take it to a mechanic and tell him to fix anything squeaking related (pulleys too, etc)?
2) Where can I get complete good quality set of belts aside from a Mazda dealer?
Although I said I replaced the belt set twice, the second time around I hadn't changed the AC belt because the Mazda dealership had it on backorder for months (wtf?). I called back recently and they still haven't gotten it in. They wont give me a refund without a receipt - as if it's 1990 again. Idiots.
My friend also suggested I should take sandpaper to my pulleys if they seem slick (the belt contact patches are all almost like a mirror shine). Make sense?
Here's my questions:
1) Can I just take it to a mechanic and tell him to fix anything squeaking related (pulleys too, etc)?
2) Where can I get complete good quality set of belts aside from a Mazda dealer?
#15
Windsor, Ont
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Windsor, Ont
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a dual pully with no PS and AC and every week I have to tighten the damn thing up until both belts stretch more than I can adjust.. I've gone through 8 belts in less than a year. All different brands. it's driving me nuts. the longest lasting belt I could find was from a farm supply store and it was meant for electric motors.
#17
International Expert
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Avondale, AZ
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quick tip- You can always take a bar of soap and put it on the belt as the engine is running. This helps finding which belt is the one squeaking. The soap acts as a dressing, and stops the sqeak for a moment. If none the soap doesn't work then chanced are its not a belt squeaking more likely a pulley.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LongDuck
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
12
10-07-15 08:12 PM
eplusz
General Rotary Tech Support
15
10-07-15 04:04 PM
joel(PA)
Group Buy & Product Dev. FD RX-7
8
10-04-15 06:07 PM