Belt Squeak While heat Blows?

[dontfeedphils]

Well I've got a little problem that has been bothering me especially lately, and one that also makes my car sound like a pile of crap.

When it's cold out, like below 30 F one of my belts will squeal until the engine, or belt I suppose warms up. So I think its a loose belt and tighten the belts but that doesn't really help that much. Another thing thats wierd is that it will usually only happen if I have the heat blasting. So the only thing I can think is maybe it's the alternator belt and turning the heater blower on puts an extra load on it making the belt squeal.

So what do you guys think? Maybe I need some new pulleys? And what about the heater causing the squeal?

Just let me guys know what you think. Thanks.

 

[RoasT BeeF]

If you have already tried tightening it and it didnt stop, you need a new belt. Its easy to change if you want to do it yourself.

 

[stomp]

Just had that happen to me also,tightened the power steering belt and alt.belt and it fixed it.Maybe it's your harmonic balancer

 

[DSMULATOR]

Does the belt look cracked and dry rotted? They are cheap enough to just replace if you don't know how old they are. The heater will cause a draw on the electrical and put more of a load on the alt. Check the belt to see if cords are showing, if so, maybe one of the pulleys is cutting into to it.

 

[dsmzoom]

If you have already tried tightening it and it didnt stop, you need a new belt. Its easy to change if you want to do it yourself.

I had the same problem, tightened it as much as I could and I fixed it. Look at the belt see if it shows any signs of wear(cracks,glaze,etc), if so time to replace it

 

[zero97tsi]

Tightening worked for me. Sounds like it's time to replace.

 

[dontfeedphils]

There shouldn't be too much wear on them, I just did a full rebuild on it in September. Who knows, I'll probably just replace them and the pulleys at the same time.

 

[Daveed]

When you have the belt off check to see if the alternator spins freely. If not the bearings could be wearing out and starting to seize up. The little extra load on the alternator from the fan blower could be pushing the belt grip to its limit at its current tension.

So to summarize, tightening the belt will likely fix it but you need to check if there is an underlying reason too.

 

[outkastracing]

When you have the belt off check to see if the alternator spins freely

i definetly would check this it sounds like a belt but when you have everything off id check and make sure that everything spins nice and smooth

 

[99gst_racer]

Hey, what's up Phil.

I would also start with the alternator belt, as that does seem like the most logical explanation of where the noise could be coming from. As long as the belts are relatively new, I'd first try some belt dressing before replacing them again. I've had success with it in the past.

 

[D_Eclipse9916]

Didnt mention if you turned on your defroster with your heat which is a good probability. The a/c turns on when you use the defroster, putting load on that belt. Therefore if that back one is not tight or is worn out, that is why it is happening. Why I doubt alternator is because it doesnt squeak during when your wipers and blinkers are on does it?

 

[dontfeedphils]

Hey Paul whats up?

Yea I'm sure it's probably the alternator belt, it's not just the heat blower, but pretty much everything that draws on my electrical system.

Man I just hate winter, the belts squeal like a siv, and now since my weatherstripping is so shot my doors are pretty much always frozen since the car hasn't seen above freezing temps in about 2 weeks. Dayum

But anyway thanks guys.

 

[c0nfused]

I'm having belt squeal that coincides with turning the heater on as well.
Also when my car is in first gear from 1,000 to 2,500 RPM the belt will squeal or when turning the steering all the way to the left.

I am not very mechanically inclined, so if someone could direct me to or help me with a step by step to tightening the belts I would appreciate it much!

I have been browsing forums for days trying to figure this out.

Thanks!

 

[dsmfa9nutter]

Spray wd40 on your weatherstripping, your doors will never freeze shut again. Your belt is garbage, replace it and when you put the new one on, don't overtighten it as that's just as bad as being too loose. It wouldn't hurt to spray anti-squeal on the belt either.