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'81 squeals while driving.

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Old 12-18-11, 06:31 PM
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Question '81 squeals while driving.

I first heard the squeal briefly two weeks ago, it only lasted a couple of minutes then went away. Over the past week it has become constant, it is loud enough to hear over the engine when going 65+. It happens regardless of whether I apply the breaks or not. It does not occur if I am at a stop. I have not been able to take the wheel off yet and inspect it due to lack of parts.

I'm still very new to rotaries so I'm not sure what to look for. My clutch fan doesn't cut off like it is supposed to (assuming a broken/shorted wire or a bad relay, I am an electrician so this should be no problem to fix). I have heard that can cause belts to squeal because of excess air flow.

Any ideas on what this could be causing? Also if you need any pictures just let me know and I will post them here. Thanks a lot guys.

(And I am of course only driving it when absolutely mandatory, very worried about doing damage to her.)
Old 12-19-11, 02:04 PM
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Your belts are probably either loose, old, or both. Replace and tighten and you should be all set. The only other possibility that comes to mind would be a bent backing plate on one of the front breaks, but that's less likely than the belts.

Good luck.




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Old 12-19-11, 02:38 PM
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I don't think they are loose. They have a very slight give to them but I assume this is normal. The belts appear to still be in very good condition however there is a grease/grime where they make contact with the metal. Could it be that they are deteriorating on the inside of the belt and that is what is causing the grime? I'm assuming this would cause the squealing? The belts still run when at a stop though which is why I don't understand why it doesn't squeal when at a stop.
Old 12-19-11, 03:52 PM
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Change the belts on the engine.they are most likely glazed.That makes them squeal when put under load or at high Rpms.
I had a similar problem.I cleaned the pulleys off with a wire brush,changed belts that I thought were "newer"and looked a little better.
The thing was that It still squealed.
I put on NEW belts and Tightened them up and the Squeal stopped.
Old 12-19-11, 05:19 PM
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tighten your belt
Old 12-19-11, 05:24 PM
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Is the smog pump still on car? Do you have A/C?

If youhave neither of the above it may be due to lack of contact surface ..........
Old 12-20-11, 03:11 PM
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Or a frozen component. When you take the belts off, make sure all the pullys etc. spin freely...
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