Is there any chance that too much belt dressing on the pulleys could cause a new belt to squeak?


yes

 

Isn't belt dressing inteded for those old-style v-belts only?

 

Don't use belt dressing on a ribbed belt. Not even really appropriate for V-belts either. It can cause a squeak.

 

Then it might not be the belt but a bad idler pulley

 

Spritz it with water when it's squealing. If it stops or changes then it's the belt. Water on the belt won't affect a bad bearing.

 

Thanks for the tips! Water on the belt definitely stops the squealing. I've cleaned the belt and the pulleys for degreaser and that has mostly fixed the problem. Still squeaks a little at start, but goes away after that. Appreciate the help!