squeaky belt

[melfan]

I have an annoying problem on my 1985 Thunderbird.

I just replaced the power steering pump and tension pulley and now the belts squeak very loudly. It is quiet at idle, but gets very loud when driving or revving the engine.

It seems to be emanating form the lower pulley (the one connected to the crank shaft).

As a side not the harmonic balance was replaced recently and it still has a slight vibration at about 1,000-1,500 RPM's. Not sure if this is related or not.

I used belt dressing and even soap (an old mechanics remedy) it seems to be fine for a while but after letting sit for a while and re-staring it the squeak is back.

I tightened the belt and it still squeaks.

Any suggestions?

Thanks all,
Mark

[97Bird]

Replace the belt. Belt dressing is a waste of money.

[marksatterfield]

Check the air pump. It is rignt next to the crankshaft, on an 87 V6 it is below the alternator on the passenger side. I removed my air pump, put a shorter fan belt on to accomodate the short belt requirement. Cleaned up the sound quite well!

Here's how you can check it -- remove the fan belt from the system and start the engine. Is the engine quiet? If it is, then the noise is definitely from an accessory not from the crank. Be sure to not drive the car since you will NOT have a water pump!

Take the belt off and clean it with a stiff bathroom brush & soapy water (you already soaped it up!) Soap, et al, is not going to help the noise on a serpentine.



--Mark

http://www.marksatterfield.com