annoying squealing belt!

[twinly01]

Heres my problem recently the belt was slipping and squealing, annoying yes.. So i bought a new belt I tightened the belt, the squealing stopped yay, after 2 weeks its starts squealing again, i tighten it more,(which happens to be all the way i can tighten it) and it wont stop squealing and it must not be catching or something, at all because it was affecting my alternator so I almost didnt make it home... I decided I cant keep going through belts (3rd one)so I bought a special one that is grooved. I still want to know if there is something I am doing wrong or some special way to tighten these or if somehthing sounds wrong... thanks

[dwendt1978]

A metro belt needs to be insanely tight to start with. If this isn't working, then with the belt off, try spinning the alternator pulley and water pump pulley by hand.

Do they spin freely? Sometimes alternator's you can feel the tension. Bad bearings. Water pump does the pulley wobble back and forth? I'd suggest a gatorback belt (best there is) and if it's not working, I'd guess your alternator is going bad.

You can have Autozone test it and maybe it'll squeel for them too.

[twinly01]

thanks

[DieInterim]

It is possible that your alternator pulley needs replacement from being worn due to loose belts. Also, you should test the charge state of your battery; alternators wont fully charge a battery. Low batteries put a heavy load on an alternator, especially right after a cold start.

[Woodie83]

First off, are you aware that there are three bolts holding the alternator on? All three must be loose to adjust it, all three must be tight to hold it. Not implying that you're a dummy, lots of folks miss one or two. Secondly, what do you mean by "all the way I can tighten it"? Is it at the end of the slot? If so, you've got the wrong belt. It takes a crowbar or large screwdriver acting as a lever to get it tight enough, pushing it with your hand while tightening the bolt won't do it. Third, get a Gates or a Goodyear Gatorback belt.

[twinly01]

thanks for the inputs, yes I did loosen all three bolts and I meant I tightened the belt to the max, with a crowbar... after two weeks it starts squealing and then I cant tighten it anymore because its already as tight as it can go, so thats why i have to keep buying belts, I do think its the alternator Because when the belt squeals the alternator overheats, And I also tryed the gatorback belt same results... Im just gonna get a new alternator I think, its been in there long enough anyways and Everycar I own the alternator eventually goes in it... so i figure worth the investment, ha thanks for all of your help

[mowfixer]

My Metro 3 CYL has been doing this for the past two years. It trashes a belt evry 6 months and by tightening it enough to get the squeel to stop I have lost bearings on three water pumps.

I have replaced alternator, the pully on the water pump and crank. I have checked belt alignment and tried every know belt from dealer parts to after market and nothing changes. Right now it is not squeeling but water pump sounds like a meat grinder so here I go again.

If it were not for the fact that the motor runs so well I would have put it in the salvage yard over this PITA problem!

[GM Line Rat]

Originally Posted by mowfixer

My Metro 3 CYL has been doing this for the past two years. It trashes a belt every 6 months and by tightening it enough to get the squeel to stop I have lost bearings on three water pumps.

The question that begs to be asked here is: What name brand of belt are you guys using? I USED To have this problem too on my Metro until:

1. I Took the cheap belt off the car that was the ONLY one Autozone stocked (A Kelly Springfield belt that squeeled ALL the time)....And the 1st New one broke after only 4 months on the car and left me stranded at 11:00 at night on the freeway!....
2. Bought a higher grade "Dayco Poly Cog" belt from Advanced Auto parts / Parts America......Part # 5030323
3. Cleaned all the pulley grooves of Dirt, Grease and Oil with brake parts cleaner, Then cleaned out the pulley grooves good with Steel Wool to knock out any built up rubber debris......Re-sprayed them again with Brake parts cleaner. Cleaned and Steel wooled the adjustment bracket slot area where the Alt ear makes contact with the bracket on top during tightening.
4. Took the bolt/nut out of the Alternator that goes thru the adjustment slot bracket (Top of Alternator...See Pic).
5. Went down to reliable hardware store that stocked grade 5 or better Metric bolts, And bought a new grade 8 Bolt, but a 1/2" longer and sleeve type as the original factory bolt (Smooth collar of the bolt goes thru the alternator and adjustment bracket).
6. Also bought a "Nylon Filled" grade 8 locking nut, 2 "Thick" flat washers and 2 of the round Star locking washers.
7. Installed the bolt with the Flat washers going on 1st, then the locking washers so they were up against the adjustment bracket on both sides. In the order on the bolt: Flat washer, Locking washer-----> Put the bolt thru Alt and Bracket------> Locking washer, Flat Washer, Nut.
8. Installed the Dayco Belt, then tightened down the belt good, but do NOT Overtighten it!

It's been over year and a half since I tried this method.......No squeeling belt anymore and the belt has finally wore enough to validate me to retighten it up a little-------> But it still doesn't squeel!


Dayco Poly Cog Belt



Location of round washers, and washers with teeth on them are used

[metro_roy]

Don't buy a cheap "rebuilt" water pump. Buy a "New" one.

[Blue Mtn Metro]

Had the same problem. First I had a NAPA belt so I replaced it with a cogged belt form Advance. After a few days it started squealing. Tightening it would make it go away for a few days but I felt it was puttting too much force on the bearings. Tried to buy a new alternator pulley but was told I had to buy the whole alternator. I noticed the roots of the vees in the belt were glazed but nothing else on the belt was touched. Took the alternator pulley off, set it up on my lathe and took .020" off the middle vees followed by gently radiusing the top of the vees with a file. Squealing has been gone for a few weeks with a lot less tension on the belt.