Engine Belt Squealing ...

[Mopar_Stev]

Well, it's been an interesting spring/summer since I had replaced mainly the entire cooling system parts. From the time after the change till now, I had to deal with a constant belt chirp.

During the summer though, the chirp went away due to temps above 85. I figured that the belt had to adjust to fit and conform.

Well, in the past two weeks as temps dropped below 50 and on a long trip, the squealing of the belt was like a runt of a pig. It turned everyone's head on the street and in vehicles that had the windows up.

Never buy Dayco Poly Rib belts for a Dodge Ram Van with the Magnum engines. My belt Dayco p/n was 5071005. Got it at the Advanced Auto online with a discount.

What squealed wasn't the seven V-grooves side of the belt. Oh no, that isn't the case. BUT, the other side of the belt that is shiny, slick and even with the proper belt tension allows the back side of the belt to slip causing the squeal over the water-pump pulley.

Now, a person here in the forums recommended a Gatorback belt by Goodyear. Can't find the posting, but a THANK YOU to them. That belt is mega quiet, not even a noise. Best of all, RockAuto had an inventory closeout sale with the belt 65% off this past week. Upon putting the belt on in 40 degree weather, starting the engine, I could have peace again. No loud squealing pig! haha

I tried all of the belt dressings, friction lubes, and even the Irish-Spring soap trick on that Dayco belt. It would work for about a day before the squealing pig came back.

So, if your belt tends to squeal, get a Goodyear Gatorback belt. For my 2001 magnum 5.2L engine with AC, the p/n is 4071005 pack number is 7PK2555.

[red_dog]

Dang, I've always had good luck with the belt dressing (never works permanently, though, but more than a day).

Good tip on the Gatorback. Thanks-

[blkmonday]

that is very interesting...i have the belt squeal too that i cant figure out. im pretty sure i have that dayco belt on there too. ive had a bunch of people tell me its probably the water pump. ive replaced the tensioner and belt (with dayco)already with no luck. was it a constant squeal...kind of chirping at idle?
ive tried belt dressing as well with it only lasting a short time, which is what made me think its not the water pump...and the water pump job on the 6 cyl is a pain in the a@#.....hmm i think i might order me a belt today

[blkmonday]

just order my goodyear gatorback from rock auto (also on clearance 17 bucks)...lets hope this solves the problem on the 6cyl too...ill keep ya posted

[Mopar_Stev]

If the squeal was just a chirp and becomes louder and frequent during cold weather, it's a cheap belt. These Magnum engines work really well with the gatorback belts from Goodyear. I was very hesitant at spending the better dollar to get one, but RockAuto did have them on a good deal. Happy that I had made the right choice.

Keep us posted your results too!

And yes, whether it's the V6 or V8, changing the water-pump it a PITA and hours to boot!

[blkmonday]

new belt solved the problem...thanks for this post!

[bignoisey]

After reading this thread and my own experience with a squealing belt on my '99 3500 5.9L van, I'm taking your advice and I've just ordered a Goodyear Gatorback belt from Rock Auto. I found the tensioner nearly frozen in whatever position you move it to, so I changed that out, thinking that was the reason for the squeal. The new one seems to keep better tension on the belt. However, when I started it, the squeal was still there.
Last year I purchased a Dayco belt from the local auto supply, but it squealed, so I returned it and went (reluctantly) to my friendly Dodge dealer and purchased a Mopar P/N 530105AB belt which did not squeal, but seemed fairly loose since the tensioner indicator was nearly on the loosest indicated position even with a brand new belt. Now the MoPar belt is also squealing. The squeal seems to be coming from the alternator pulley, which seems logical since the squeal stops a little while after starting up. The alternator load is high right after startup since it's trying to recharge the battery just used for starting. Anyway, Mopar_Stev, I hope the Gatorback works. I'll post another reply as soon as the belt arrives and is installed.

[bignoisey]

The Gatorback belt is installed now and no squeal after two weeks. The special pricing mentioned earlier is apparently over, but oh well! The new tensioner still seems pretty far off the center mark towards the loose side even with this new belt. I'll keep an eye on it for a while. Thanks again for the suggestion of the Gatroback.

[Mopar_Stev]

Glad the Gatorback belt is working for people.