Serpentine Belts & Tranny Fluid Don't Mix!- HELP!

[Alphabravo]

Hi all. Here's one that has me stumped:
What I have: 1997 (late96 model) Plymouth Grand Voyager 3.3L

The problem:
One day a tranny line broke and transmission fluid squirted all over the serpentine belt. I fixed the line and now I have a belt squeal that I never had before but can't get rid of.

What I've tried:
I've changed the belt... 3, maybe 4 times, I've lost count.
I've changed the tensioner.

Each time the squeal was gone for a few days and then it creeped back.

Othe things I've tried:
Used engine cleaner and a wire brush to remove old tranny fluid residue/gunk from the grooves & flat surfaces of the pulleys.

I took a garden hose and it appears that the squeal is coming from the crankshaft pulley on the side near the water pump pulley.

Things that helped:
WD40, but short-lived.

This must have happend to someone else out there, right? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

[Airjer_]

Apply a small amount of di-electric grease with a small wire brush on the belt. I do this with the engine running and through the wheel well which gives the best access to the belt. You can do it with the engine stopped just apply to several areas.

How long did it last? (we may not hear back from you! )

[RIP]

Originally Posted by Airjer_

Apply a small amount of di-electric grease with a small wire brush on the belt. I do this with the engine running and through the wheel well which gives the best access to the belt. You can do it with the engine stopped just apply to several areas.

How long did it last? (we may not hear back from you! )

Grease on a drivebelt?? Isn't a belt squeal caused by loss of friction between the rolling surface and the belt trying to turn it? Grease decreases friction right? Apparently it works for you, but

[Alphabravo]

Thanks, Airjer.

Early this morning before I read your thread I had an idea and decided to try it. I thought the only difference between pre-tranny fluid and post is that there was paint on the pulleys. Also, to make matters more interesting, after wire-brushing the redisue off, and thus as a result, the rest of the paint, the squeal has gotten worse. So, my thought is that a good coat of paint acts as a buffer, if you will, padding the belt from the metal. Maybe it's a long shot. So, I painted the pulleys with engine paint and now I'm waiting fot it to dry before I replace the belt.

If that doesn't work I'll try the dielectic grease (it's silicone-based, right?) as a last resort, before I buy a new crankshaft pulley.

I'll keep you posted.

[Alphabravo]

Originally Posted by RIP

Grease on a drivebelt?? Isn't a belt squeal caused by loss of friction between the rolling surface and the belt trying to turn it? Grease decreases friction right? Apparently it works for you, but

RIP, I know it seems counter-productive, but spraying WD-40 on the belt stops the squeal, even under load.

It seems like it squeals worse when it's dry.

Also, new belts has a greasy residue to them.

I can't explain it either.

[wafrederick]

WD40 is the worst penetrating oil for this and spray the belt down with Brake Clean,gets rid of the transmission fluid residue and dries quickly

[Alphabravo]

Originally Posted by wafrederick

WD40 is the worst penetrating oil for this and spray the belt down with Brake Clean,gets rid of the transmission fluid residue and dries quickly

I tried Brake Clean too. The auto parts store recommended it. Unfortunately it didn't work either.
Thanks.

[Alphabravo]

OK here's the results so far:
Painting the pulleys did NOT help much, only a very slight improvement.

I tried the dielectric grease, Luckily I'm a satellite installer so I had some readily available.

So far the dielectric grease is working like a charm!!

If you hear back from me it means the charm was short-lived. Otherwise I hope I won't have to post on this matter anytime soon.
Thanks everyone!

[Airjer_]

Originally Posted by RIP

Grease on a drivebelt?? Isn't a belt squeal caused by loss of friction between the rolling surface and the belt trying to turn it? Grease decreases friction right? Apparently it works for you, but

Check some older early 90's chrysler TSB's! This was a diagnostic aid to isolate accessory noise. We're not talking about using an entire 8 ounce tube on the blet all at once. A dab the size of a pencil eraser will do the trick. Been doing it for years, It works great!

[RIP]

Grease on a drivebelt. I guess this is one of those times when "ours is not to reason why...just do it". I'll put it in my tool chest.