Squeaky belt

[huff-n-puff]

I have a D1SC on my 97 Cobra and have been through several belts. I have a new tensioner, idler pulley, crank pulley and alternator. My belt will stay quiet for a little while but then starts squeaking again. The belt gets quiet after it has warmed up and I have driven it. I have considered hitting it with a little sand paper while the car is running in case it is getting glazed. All of the belts have been Gates. Any advice on a squeeky belt?

[1992vert]

Maybe this is a no-no, but I used to have a squeak on start-up and since I was looking for extra grip out of my 6-rib, I tried CRC Belt Conditioner(Prolong Belt Life - Eliminates Squeaks - Prevents Slippage - Adds Traction)...on the front of the can. The belt definitely has a tacky feel to it now, it stopped the squeak and my 6-rib can make 20-21psi from a stab.

[huff-n-puff]

I am willing to try almost anything. I am tired of the squeak. Thanks for the suggestion and I will give it a whirl.

[Dugan]

High possibility a pulley is out of alignment. Get a ruler or level or something you know is flat and straight. Take the fan off (if needed) and put the straight edge across pulley to pulley to see if they all are lined up.

[huff-n-puff]

I will try that too. Belt conditioner didn't do the trick

[1992vert]

Originally Posted by huff-n-puff

I will try that too. Belt conditioner didn't do the trick

Bummer! Is it defintely coming from the ribbed side of the belt(hard to tell maybe, but I would assume)? Did you coat both sides and the squeak remains?

A stretch, but could it be your alternator brushes chirping? Mine will do that after sitting for some time and I have to pull the brushes and run a scotchbrite pad over the copper roller to silence it. Sounds just like a chirping belt. With the belt off spin each pulley to rule out that or a bad bearing somewhere.

Also, when you say you've been through "several belts", was this to get rid of the squeak or because they wore out prematurely?

[huff-n-puff]

Only to get rid of the squeek. I have been through 3 alternators as well(lifetime warranty from O'reilly's). I also put a new tensioner and idler pulley on the car. I thought I had it cured and took it to get it tuned. They put a new crank pulley on it and the next day it started squeeking.

Now, I was lazy and just sprayed the belt conditioner on the belt with the car running and the belt on. Are you suggesting that I take the belt off and saturate it?

[midnightrider]

This may sound nutty, however, I have flipped them around(180*)and that stopped the squeak...

[1992vert]

Originally Posted by huff-n-puff

Now, I was lazy and just sprayed the belt conditioner on the belt with the car running and the belt on. Are you suggesting that I take the belt off and saturate it?

yes, I apply a liberal coat to the ribbed side of the belt with it off the car. It will absorb into the belt and make it tacky.

[1992vert]

Originally Posted by midnightrider

This may sound nutty, however, I have flipped them around(180*)and that stopped the squeak...

Good suggestion... Hadn't heard of that before but I can see it as something quick and easy to try.

[ackstang]

So, oddly enough I might be able to lead you to the right spot. I've since sold my blowthrough carb'd 85 coupe (several years ago now) and bought a Procharged C6 Vette to replace it.

Come to find out, that really annoying belt squeek is VERY common in the blown C5/C6 community. People usually get the "cold chirp" then once the belt heats up it goes away. I assume this is what you have as well, as your mod motor is the same basic serp setup as my LS2. The cause is simple...pulley misalignment. One, or more of the pulleys is just a bit out of alignment. Your best bet is to have a shop, or buy the tool yourself, laser align the whole setup.

In the case with my car, Procharger F'd up when they initially did the brackets for the LS2's. After some temp fixes I went with an aftermarket vette shop's bracket setup that cures the belt misalignment. Turns out that after I swapped the brackets over the chirp remained, and horrific belt squeel joined the party! After taking it to my tuner, it turns out the issue was something really stupid, the blower pulley had been installed backwards when they did the last pulley change! I ran a Novi setup before on the mustang so I didn't know that the Procharger stuff was spaced differently on each side of the pulley......anyway, something to check.

- Travis

[slow87GT]

its most likely an allignment issue but if not just put a small dab of brake caliper silicone on the rib side and it will shut up for about 6months. I dont know if that will make the blower slip but it will shut the belt up for sure

[ackstang]

It will make the blower slip....so don't do that. Its an alignment issue, don't bandaid it, fix it right.