Belt Squeal

danxtc · 04-04-2007, 03:03 AM

My 96 Dodge has belt squeal. I've tried 3 different brand names of belt and they all squeal more or less than the others. I've refaced the pulley surfaces (mechanic advice) and it made no difference.
I checked all idlers and the A/C, water pump, PS motor & Alt. - no noise there.
One brand only squeals when it is cool & damp - when hot : no noise.
One brand squeals all the time; but gets lower in volume when it warms up.
This only started about 6 mos. ago. I've had the truck for 11 years.
Any ideas?

bradrhale · 04-04-2007, 05:58 AM

are all these belts showing any signs of premature wear?? does it squel all the time or just when you turn the steering wheel or turn on the ac?? did you look at each pulley and make sure that there is no trash on any of them as in grease or oil??

mrjohnwayne · 04-04-2007, 07:39 AM

Have you checked the tensioner while the motor is running. A worn out tensioner even with a new belt might not be putting enough tension on the belt. Check it and see if it has alot of movement while running.

03chevy · 04-04-2007, 01:28 PM

i agree with mrjohnwayne the tensioner or the idler pullies will be your problem

0425004x4 · 04-04-2007, 04:16 PM

I would replace tensioner and put old one in toolbox for spare if you break down on road.

danxtc · 04-05-2007, 03:31 AM

The first belt only has about 3,000 miles on it (This was the 3rd belt on the truck after 160,000 miles). The other two I had tried are brand new.
(This is getting costly!)
The idler had been replaced aro. 115,000 mi. (it was sticking)
The tensioner was adjusted per the manual spec.
All belts are clean and the squeal exists as long as the engine is running (no turns required) and changes pitch with rpm till it finally goes away after warming-up.

bradrhale · 04-05-2007, 05:41 AM

can you pinpoint the squel a little bit to kinda give us a hint as to what the problem might be??

04-04-2007, 03:03 AM	#1
danxtc Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2	Belt Squeal My 96 Dodge has belt squeal. I've tried 3 different brand names of belt and they all squeal more or less than the others. I've refaced the pulley surfaces (mechanic advice) and it made no difference. I checked all idlers and the A/C, water pump, PS motor & Alt. - no noise there. One brand only squeals when it is cool & damp - when hot : no noise. One brand squeals all the time; but gets lower in volume when it warms up. This only started about 6 mos. ago. I've had the truck for 11 years. Any ideas? __________________ Dan West Jersey 96 Dodge 4WD

04-04-2007, 07:39 AM	#3
mrjohnwayne Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 3,114	Have you checked the tensioner while the motor is running. A worn out tensioner even with a new belt might not be putting enough tension on the belt. Check it and see if it has alot of movement while running. __________________ John Wayne 2000 F-350 7.3L Powerstroke 4x4

04-04-2007, 01:28 PM	#4
03chevy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: jax,fl Posts: 991	i agree with mrjohnwayne the tensioner or the idler pullies will be your problem __________________ A dirty mind is a terrible thing to waste!

04-05-2007, 03:31 AM	#6
danxtc Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2	Belt Squeal The first belt only has about 3,000 miles on it (This was the 3rd belt on the truck after 160,000 miles). The other two I had tried are brand new. (This is getting costly!) The idler had been replaced aro. 115,000 mi. (it was sticking) The tensioner was adjusted per the manual spec. All belts are clean and the squeal exists as long as the engine is running (no turns required) and changes pitch with rpm till it finally goes away after warming-up. __________________ Dan West Jersey 96 Dodge 4WD

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04-04-2007, 05:58 AM	#2
bradrhale Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,968	are all these belts showing any signs of premature wear?? does it squel all the time or just when you turn the steering wheel or turn on the ac?? did you look at each pulley and make sure that there is no trash on any of them as in grease or oil??

04-04-2007, 04:16 PM	#5
0425004x4 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 79	I would replace tensioner and put old one in toolbox for spare if you break down on road.

04-05-2007, 05:41 AM	#7
bradrhale Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 2,968	can you pinpoint the squel a little bit to kinda give us a hint as to what the problem might be??

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