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THE SQUEAL?

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Old 03-16-2010, 08:46 AM
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Default THE SQUEAL?

Ok I have searched and searched. Now I am asking. I have a squeal coming from the front of the motor. When i press the gas its loud! Off the gas no not so much anymore. So here is what i have done....

Idler- Done, Power Steering- DONE, Ac DONE, Water Pump-Done, Alt-Done, Balancer looks great, fan clutch-Done, Oh Belt --- 4 of them

So now I am lost. I have cleaned the pully's with a wire brush, everything is lined up, everything is new.

I did read that old belt dressing may still be on the pully's (transfer?). So tonight I am going to clean them off. I am going to use brake cleaner. Does that sound right? Any insight would be great.

I do apoligize if this is a repost or redundant question but I am lost.

Thanks

Griff
Old 03-16-2010, 09:02 AM
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Be careful with the brake cleaner, don't spray it into the accessory bearings behind the pulleys.
Old 03-16-2010, 09:17 AM
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I had this problem for awhile. I sprayed Armour All Shine on my belt while it was turning. The squeal went away for a couple of months then came back. So everytime it comes back i spray it again or hold a bar of soap down there and let it rub against the belt while the engine is running. Just dont get your hand caught.
Old 03-16-2010, 09:29 AM
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Just a thought might check bearings on the idler pulleys being you have change several belts, theirs a problem some where when pressure is on belt.
Old 03-16-2010, 09:29 AM
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maybe your belt is to tight? how much deflection do you have? to tight will make the bearings squeal on the idler (i like that someone figured out how to spell squeal right, my spell check would go crazy when i tried to spell it but i just left it red because i didn't want to open another window to search)
Old 03-16-2010, 10:22 AM
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another thought....hows the condition of the harmonic balancer? it me be going bad, and causing the belt to run crooked putting load on the bearings. oops I need to read more carefully

Last edited by fishtaconc; 03-16-2010 at 10:23 AM. Reason: didnt read close enough
Old 03-16-2010, 10:44 AM
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Here is a great simple test,

have a friend (in neutral with e brake on!) give it a little gas to get it to squeal. then with the hood open just pour a meduim glass of water on your serpentine belt.

if it stops squealing or becomes extreme squealing, its your belt

if nothing changes its not the belt

I have a question, What do your AMPs do when its squealing? it sounds like it could be a short in your alternator,

I got a new 170 AMP powermaster alternator for mine when Mine shorted

It did that for years and I finally got sick of it. if I turned on my ac it would begin to squeal like a mo fo and if I slammed on the gas to like 3500 rpms I could get it to stop eventually but it was way loud.

new alternator=$90

if thats it? my 2 cents
Old 03-16-2010, 11:52 AM
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if you checked all the pulleys and they are good, then i'd have to say it is your belt. you should be able to pick up a belt tensioning tool at the local auto parts store. plus, if you have the belt over tightened, you are going to start running through those faster as well.
Old 03-16-2010, 01:59 PM
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I know how frustrating this can be, and i'm sure that you've tried just about everything already, but...

What kind of belt are you using?

I'm only asking because i've had the best luck with the Goodyear Gatorback, while others have had success with the Gates belt.


My take on belt tension... "Too Tight"?, i doubt it... If anything it's not tight enough. I've read threads on Belt Tensioners and there's been alot of mixed opinions on them. It's worth a try, i guess??

However, after i replace my belts, i snug up all of the bolts, and i tighten the adjustment bolt down until i think that the belt is tight, and then i tighten it down some more! I then start up the engine and listen for the squeal. If it squeals, i shut it down and tighten it up some more. When it stops squealing, i shut it off and torque all of the remaining bolts.

This has always worked out well for me!

Sorry i can't help anymore than this...

Last edited by guest02; 03-16-2010 at 02:03 PM.
Old 03-16-2010, 05:05 PM
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Thanks for the in put. Its a NEW GATOR BACK BELT! I guess thats why I am so frustrated. Everyhting is new. I am going to clean it tonight (simple green, not brake cleaner) and try tighter and loosen it up something has got to give. But thank you very much.
Old 03-16-2010, 05:16 PM
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did you do the cup of water test?
Old 03-17-2010, 12:25 AM
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Originally Posted by GriffsXJ
Thanks for the in put. Its a NEW GATOR BACK BELT! I guess thats why I am so frustrated. Everyhting is new. I am going to clean it tonight (simple green, not brake cleaner) and try tighter and loosen it up something has got to give. But thank you very much.
Simple Green cleans grease, but it will also leave a greasy film... i think a small amount of Brake Cleaner, followed by Dish Soap and water, would work better.

I'm thinking the surfaces of your Pulleys just have crap on them that is causing "Glazing" on the smooth side of your Belts...
Old 03-17-2010, 06:54 AM
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OK I took the belt back off cleaned the whole front end. It looks pretty damn good to be an 89. LOL but any ways I am letting sit when i get off i am going to put the belt back on and see what happens.

Then the water test.
Old 03-17-2010, 08:11 AM
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just a thought, are you running a cold air intake?? you maybe hearing an air whistle in the throttlebody
Old 03-17-2010, 08:21 AM
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Another thought; grasp your water pump pulley wheel with the belt off and check for play. I've never personally heard the whine of a water pump bearing going out but rumor has it they can sound awful.


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