Being a newbie now for a whole month, heres another question for the group at large. I have a 460 Ford Engine, with 30k miles on it.......Motor home is a 90 Georgie Boy 32ft. The belts only seem to squeak when starting up, and then at times when I use my hydraulic levelers to set home. Any ideas, and is this easy to fix. I tried lub but didnt seem to help much. thanks....prairie dan
squeaking belts
- Thread starter prairie
- Start date
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John From Detroit
Well-known member
There are many things that can cause belts to squeal, normally this happens only under acceleration (Such as when starting)
1: Belt tension, Make sure it is proper
2: Dirt/oil on the belt or pullies They make belt cleaner,Never used it so can not recommend either way
3: Wrong size belts (don't laugh.. I had one like that)
4: Belts worn out (replace)
5: Pully out of alingment (Eyeball, if it looks out of alingment, it is)
Defective "load" (Power stearing, power jack pump, water pump, alternator, and so on) causing excess load
I gave those more or less in the order of testing... Start with a good visual inspection look for alingment and dirt/contamanation
(Do this first because it costs nothing to look at it) Then throw money at it
1: Belt tension, Make sure it is proper
2: Dirt/oil on the belt or pullies They make belt cleaner,Never used it so can not recommend either way
3: Wrong size belts (don't laugh.. I had one like that)
4: Belts worn out (replace)
5: Pully out of alingment (Eyeball, if it looks out of alingment, it is)
Defective "load" (Power stearing, power jack pump, water pump, alternator, and so on) causing excess load
I gave those more or less in the order of testing... Start with a good visual inspection look for alingment and dirt/contamanation
(Do this first because it costs nothing to look at it) Then throw money at it
John From Detroit
Well-known member
DougJ said:
I don't know if Dan can but I can... Low batteries place additional load on the Alternator, If the load is greater than the design load of the belts it will cause squealing.
Here is an expierment you can run (I particapated in it,others provided the hardware)
Take a bicycle,and mount it on an exercise stand, Run a belt around the back wheel (First remove the tire and tube,this belt (Fan belt) also runs around an alternator pulley.
Hook up a partially charged battery and run a wire to a handlebar mounted switch to activate the field
Start pedaling.. You will notice (if the belt tension is set right) that it is not too hard
now.. Flip that switch to "ON" and .... I't is like you just hit a VERY STEEP HILL
That is what the low batteries are like... A very steep hill.. Draw more power that the fan belt may be able to transfer
Serpentine belts really are better at this
Karl
Moderator Emeritus
Doug, If your alternator is putting out 70-100 amps, that could very well be PART of your problem. The additional load could cause belt slippage. Question: Why are the bats so low to begin with? Bad batteries not holding charge? Converter or voltage regulator bad? Second part: Autotensioners are great devices, but even they have their limits. If it's at the end of its' travel, it can't take up the slack as it should. Time for a new belt, and make sure you follow the replacement instructions or the tensioner won't work properly.
fredethomas
Moderator Emeritus
Dan; I did not see that YOU said the batteries were low or the alternator was putting out 100 amps??? Just tighten up the belt and see if the squeal goes away. Don't over torque it but snug it up good. Also there is belt dressing sold by NAPA for rubber.
This may date me but so what? Lots of explanations about what can cause belts to squeal or slip but with serpantine belts and auto torque adjusters, the problem isn't as common as it used to be. Commercial belt dressing has been around almost as long as there has been belts and that goes back to steam engines at least. A very inexpensive belt dressing is common bar soap. Try it and it the squeal goes away, it is likely poor adjustment or worn belts. If the squeal doesn't stop, it may be a bearing in one of the units such as the alternator, water pump, air pump or any other belt driven device. All of you undoubtedly have heard a squeal coming from the power steering assembly on a tight turn. I have some reservations about the alternator causing it by overcharging. I have "boosted" dead batteries and do not recall any squeal from the alternator or generator when the engine started and the battery was still very low.
John From Detroit
Well-known member
quapaw said:
Thanks for the confirmation.. (I said Serpantine belts were better for eliminating squeals way up the page) Nice to know I got it right
I do agree with the majority here though,,, Tension adjustment or belt wear are the likely culprits
Here is one that was ask of Click and Clack, the car talk guys.... They got it wrong, sort of (I do admit thier fix would cure it)
Drive car all day, stop and go, no problems... Drive it after dark and it won't re-start in the morning
They suggested a new alternator
My cure: Re-tension the fan belts (the car I had that did this (2 of them) and the 3 others (Belonging to others I met, 2 on the road, on e in a store) all had "V" belts, not serp belts, and in each case belt tension was off
In one case the car had the WRONG SIZE belt, I had to get a wider belt (the size it had was the size specified in the manual, the pullies were not the ones specified in the manual though) that was a FORD
Gary RV_Wizard
Site Team
I must be dated just like you, Quapaw. 
I agree 100% with your your observations!
I agree 100% with your your observations!
Karl
Moderator Emeritus
Fred,
I was just addressing what the mechanic told him:
Also, old belts will glaze up and squeak. If in doubt, replace.
I was just addressing what the mechanic told him:
. Didn't mean to suggest that WAS his problem
Also, old belts will glaze up and squeak. If in doubt, replace.
Karl
Moderator Emeritus
A little late... an automatic belt tensioner is just that - automatic. You can't normally adjust them manually except when they have siezed up from corrosion; then with a small hammer and drift you can nudge it a little. Temporary solution only, and make sure you loosen the bolt slightly first. Plan on replacing it.
