Squealing Belt

[Squirrel8811]

My alternator belt is squealing and I cant figure out why. I replaced the belt and it still squeals. Ive tightened it and loosen it over and over and over and over for the last 2 months. I can watch it twist a little when it squeals so it looks like it needs to be tighten more but it cant go anymore. Its the same size as the factory belt so im lost. Should I get a tad smaller belt and see what happens. I mean I have about a 1/2 deflection like I should. What gives

 

[gofer]

...its not tight enough. i had the same problem after replacing my alternator, it would squeal for about 45 seconds after a night of sitting. just loosen the set bolt and while your putting all your weight on your alternator down tighten the tensioner bolt TIGHT. repeat if necessary, its just a battle but you'll eventually win.



any other dsm'rs have any more tips since it took me 6 or 7 trys before getting it to where it wouldn't squeal... thats the only way i got mine to STFU.

 

[SBR Joe]

...its not tight enough. i had the same problem after replacing my alternator, it would squeal for about 45 seconds after a night of sitting. just loosen the set bolt and while your putting all your weight on your alternator down tighten the tensioner bolt TIGHT. repeat if necessary, its just a battle but you'll eventually win.



any other dsm'rs have any more tips since it took me 6 or 7 trys before getting it to where it wouldn't squeal... thats the only way i got mine to STFU.

OR, the factory crank pulley is starting to come apart. OP, take a look at the crank pulley when teh cars idling to see if its wobbling at all, just to either solve the problem or eliminate a possibility at the least.

 

[Calan]

Could be the alternator pulley as well. Aftermarket alternators (i.e. Autozone) are notorious for bearing issues...I've had 3 or 4 of them over the years that developed squealing pulleys, even after fairly low miles.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I had the same problem, here is my thread:Annoying Squeal I replaced the belts, got them very tight and it went away. I also have a new crank pulley that is waiting to go on just in case.

I'm not sure what year yours is but on my 1g there is a bolt to tighten the alt belt. You loosen the pivot bolt, and the retaining bolt and tighten the adjustment belt. No pulling or pushing, just turn the adjustment bolt.

 

[Squirrel8811]

Well to first poster. I cant tighten it anymore its as far as it will go. Ill have to go get a smaller belt before I can do that.

To second poster. Harmonic balancer is ok. No wobble from it at all. Also alt. bearing is good. Its happend with 3 different alternators. I have 2 from O'reily and then one from work (AutoZone)

 

[SBR Joe]

If its adjusted as far as it will go, the belt is clearly stretched or just too big. It shouldnt be able to go that far, nor should it have too. If the numbers on the belt are still visible take it to the parts store and tell them you need it a half inch shorter. Length is usually determined by the last 2 (or 3 numbers in the PN depending on if it falls on an inch increment or half inch). They should know what to get you, if not, stuff them with some shit they should know haha.

Example, if last 2 numbers are 24 its a 24" belt, if its 245 its 24.5".

 

[Beemer92]

Triple check all your pulleys. If they are good then whoever or whereever you got your alt belt from needs to be fired.

 

[Squirrel8811]

So I need to be fired huh? I got the belt myself. I work at autozone as I said I got an alt. from work (AUTOZONE). I know all about part numbers. Its the exact same as the belt that was on the car when I got it and it didnt squeal for a whole 8 months that I have owned it. It its the right size belt. I may get a smaller one to see.

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[SBR Joe]

So I need to be fired huh? I got the belt myself. I work at autozone as I said I got an alt. from work (AUTOZONE). I know all about part numbers. Its the exact same as the belt that was on the car when I got it and it didnt squeal for a whole 8 months that I have owned it. It its the right size belt. I may get a smaller one to see.

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HAHAHA i didnt know that, so clearly youre exempt from my comment, i missed the part where you said you worked there sorry .

It may just be stretched out too far. Thats how it seems at least since you have it adjusted to the max.

Dumb question perhaps, but did you ever consider it being the PS belt?

 

[Squirrel8811]

Oh yea i spent the first 2-3 weeks of the 2 months thinking it was the ps belt then I said screw it id rather drive without ps then listen to this. I took the belt off and still it was there. So I got to looking at the alt belt and I could watch it shudder when it squealed. So I tighten it as hard as I could and the squeal went away for a bout a week or two. Now its back and I cant tighten it anymore. When I looked up the belt I compared it to the original to make sure it was the same. Both of them are the same size. I heard there was a TSB on this. The research I have done this seems to be a VERY common problem. I heard there was alternate belt mistu came out with but the only thing they could have changed was the length and im wondering if that was it. I called mitsu and I got someone who shouldnt be near a car much less selling parts for them. So im kinda lost and dont now what to do.

 

[SBR Joe]

Oh yea i spent the first 2-3 weeks of the 2 months thinking it was the ps belt then I said screw it id rather drive without ps then listen to this. I took the belt off and still it was there. So I got to looking at the alt belt and I could watch it shudder when it squealed. So I tighten it as hard as I could and the squeal went away for a bout a week or two. Now its back and I cant tighten it anymore. When I looked up the belt I compared it to the original to make sure it was the same. Both of them are the same size. I heard there was a TSB on this. The research I have done this seems to be a VERY common problem. I heard there was alternate belt mistu came out with but the only thing they could have changed was the length and im wondering if that was it. I called mitsu and I got someone who shouldnt be near a car much less selling parts for them. So im kinda lost and dont now what to do.

HAHAH yeah i know that feeling with dealers. Luckily our local guy knows a lot and is very helpful.

My only suggestion is try a half inch or so smaller belt. It shouldnt ever have to be maxed out. It is a very possible chance that your crank pulley might be on its way out still, so dont rule it out completely. The rubber may just at times shift causing the belt to get off line and squeal. It may not be completely noticeable to the eye but it may be doing it.

Try the shorter belt first, if it doesnt help take the belt off completely and with the engine cold, fire it up and watch the pulley for any weird movements.

 

[Squirrel8811]

Im gonna go out and mess with it for a little while. Then ill go pick up my Evo III manifold I just got for $40 whoo hoo. Ill be back on tonight and give ya an up date. I may pick up another belt while im at work tomorrow. I just now read that a couple people had the same problem until they went to mits and got an OEM belt. who knows. thanks for the help ill update later.

Ok I got to working on it and I had a thought. All of the belt issues i find are from 95 to 97 and 97 is when mitsu said they had a "special" belt for it. So I called up to work and asked for the number of a belt from a 99 (thinking that this problem would be solved by that date) and sure enough the belt for the 99 is 1/2 in shorter than the one I have. Ill go pick it up tomorrow and update.

OK this is for anyone who finds this thread in the future. The "special" belt mitsu came out with was just a 1/2 inch shorter belt. When you get belts for your car ask for belts for a 99. I think this is why mitsus belts work and not parts stores. The new belt worked great. Ill see how this stays. I repeat you are looking for belts for a 99. And for those who are lazy the alternator belt is a 4 rib 38.5 inch belt. And for those who are even lazier. Autozones part number 385K4

 

[tank2220]

thx bro... ive been having this same issue for the last six weeks...man its like my 95 is pumping out all these lil issues on me.... anyway ill get a belt for a 99 tomorrow. replace. also ill keep an eye on my crank pulley....(slowboy rocks) say hi to marty down there for me.

 

[Squirrel8811]

Just letting everyone know that the phantom squeal is back. Im having a small oil leak in the same vicinity and im wondering if oil is getting on the belts causing them to slip.

 

[tank2220]

Just letting everyone know that the phantom squeal is back. Im having a small oil leak in the same vicinity and im wondering if oil is getting on the belts causing them to slip.

WTFwhere exactlly is the leak coming from?

 

[Squirrel8811]

Not exactly sure. Its kinda a phantom leak as well. But it looks like it might be coming from the cam seals. I have a drip along the top of the valve cover but when you trace it it just stops randomly and there isnt any cracks.