Jonnychance said:

On my 98 Mitsubishi Eclipse GS, my serpentine belt squeaks. It had coolant dripping on it for a couple weeks, about 2yrs ago. Now I can't get the squeaking to stop so I need a new belt, anyone have suggestions for belt brand? Completely stock 420a still has AC and all that.

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Make sure the belt is tight. I have a buddy with a 420a and he had the same issue, you’ve just gotta tighten down a little more than you would on other cars. For the brand, I’d go with Bando, they make the right size for your application (I know because it’s the one I used to fix my buddies) and it’s used OEM for many car brands. Plus they are cheap. Though to be honest, coolant from 2 years ago isn’t going to make the belt squeak, I’m almost certain it’s either worn out or it’s loose. You can tell if it’s worn by if it’s shiny or glossy it shouldn’t be shiny or have any micro rips in it.

There's a lot of highly reputable belt brands. Just don't go the cheapest and you can't go wrong. I personally run Dayco because they make the odd sizes I need for a UDP.

Keep in mind a squeaking or squealing noise could also be from a bad tensioner pulley.

On my 420A, there is a delicate balance between too loose and too tight. Too loose and the belt chirps or squeals when the AC and/ or Power Steering is under load. Too Tight and I get chirping noise and the belt wears out too fast. I believe I have a DACO belt installed right now. Once I have it set just right I leave it alone. I am not sure if my engine is unique, perhaps a pulley is slightly misaligned on mine, I can't tell for sure but it is very sensitive to the point of being annoying.

1995TalonMT said:

On my 420A, there is a delicate balance between too loose and too tight. Too loose and the belt chirps or squeals when the AC and/ or Power Steering is under load. Too Tight and I get chirping noise and the belt wears out too fast. I believe I have a DACO belt installed right now. Once I have it set just right I leave it alone. I am not sure if my engine is unique, perhaps a pulley is slightly misaligned on mine, I can't tell for sure but it is very sensitive to the point of being annoying.

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Sounds like a pulley then, it shouldn’t be that sensitive I’d just replace the belt and both pulleys it’s not very hard.

I was watching this pulley it seems to move quite a bit. I'm sure I need to replace the belt because it squeaks in the cold but I might as do both. Video below of pulley. Middle video I hadn't re-tightened the tensioner yet.

Maybe it's time to replace the water pump even it doesn't start leaking yet. You should inspect the pulley for deformation/damage/crack, also the water pump shaft/flange.

DSMPT said:

Maybe it's time to replace the water pump even it doesn't start leaking yet. You should inspect the pulley for deformation/damage/crack, also the water pump shaft/flange.

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Okay will do

This is the 420a, the water pump is not driven by the serpentine belt but instead the timing belt.

It is possible that the power steering pulley is warped. I had to replace mine at one point. But just for an easy check make sure the nut that holds the pulley on the shaft is tight.

Oh now I see it's in the 420a section.

DSMPT said:

Oh now I see it's in the 420a section.

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It's funny cuz I knew that too was just in a rush earlier wasn't thinking

BLACK'98DSM said:

This is the 420a, the water pump is not driven by the serpentine belt but instead the timing belt.

It is possible that the power steering pulley is warped. I had to replace mine at one point. But just for an easy check make sure the nut that holds the pulley on the shaft is tight.

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Do you the torque specs for that bolt I can't find anything in the haynes manual.

How tight should I tighten the bolt on the pulley? Just snug or tight? My pulley started squealing after I changed the belt and I'm wondering if I tightened the bolt too much. I loosened it a little and the squeal isn't as bad, but still present.
I know this is a sign that the bearing went bad and I think I found a replacement pulley (pic below), so I would like to know for the new one.

Maybe this thread will help you out:
@VelocitàPaola, @BLACK'98DSM do you have any words of wisdom for this member?

The bolt will strip before you cause any damage to the bearing. Your bolt head (or tensioner arm) only sits against the center of the bearing, which is the stationary part. I can pull the torque specs pdf and find you an exact number if you're interested, but that's something I'll just feel "tight enough". And I also believe I have a new tensioner pulley with maybe 2000 miles in a box somewhere. PM me if interested, no charge.

I agree that threads will strip before the torque affects the bearing. I actually can't find an exact value in the 420A overhaul manual, but the Neon FSM says the bolt should be torqued to 61 N-m (45 ft-lbs).