Aftermarket belts suck!

[cbrcrx]

I have bought two different brands of A/C belts and they still squeak. If I tighten it anymore, it will have to do some damage. I guess I'll go to the dealer and pay three times the price!

 

[el_Don]

Not trying to insult, but are you sure that you're tightening them correctly?

If yes, it could be one of your components locking up and not the belts.

 

[Metallic36]

I got mine changed a couple weeks ago, just took it to a shop and they put a belt on. One thing to make sure is that you have the right size belt. I had a shop put on the wrong width and it squeaked like that.

 

[cbrcrx]

My original belt had 161,000 miles and didn't squeak. Now I change the belts because they look rough and they squeak. Yes, I know how to adjust the belt. It is extremely tight.

 

[TheMAN]

most aftermarket belts suck, but the goodyear gatorback is pretty good and so is bando (OE supplier for mazda and other japanese makes like toyota)... if you can't find them, then just buy the belts from the dealer

 

[TWISFM]

i have gates belts.. no problems

 

[cbrcrx]

I have done dozens of belts and NEVER had any this tight. I'm scared to go any tighter. Do you guys have your A/C belt abnormally tight?

 

[Metallic36]

Why don't you just take it to the dealer or a local shop and have them check the tightness of it?

 

[cbrcrx]

Why don't you just take it to the dealer or a local shop and have them check the tightness of it?

I am a mechanic. I was just wondering if people where having the same problem with this particular belt.

 

[goodfornothing]

I've read that you should have your pulleys roughed up by a wire brush or something of that sort, but you said your belts never squeaked before so that might be out of the question.

BTW: Where can I find the tensioner? Is it the bolt right below the first pulley (Power steering pulley I believe)?

 

[cbrcrx]

I've read that you should have your pulleys roughed up by a wire brush or something of that sort, but you said your belts never squeaked before so that might be out of the question.

BTW: Where can I find the tensioner? Is it the bolt right below the first pulley (Power steering pulley I believe)?

It is the easy one right in the front.

 

[pro5turbo]

I had went to DOBBS and had my engine belts replaced, it only cost 150.00 + tax. Well worth it in my opinion. Just make sure if you go this route....that the belts don't squeal when you leave. Mine did squeal for a week straight with the new belts...and it was a god awful loud noise, I went back up and they fixed it almost immediately.

 

[Psylence]

Have you thought about getting your compressor checked? I had a 95 Rodeo with a seized compressor that would squeal.

 

[cbrcrx]

Have you thought about getting your compressor checked? I had a 95 Rodeo with a seized compressor that would squeal.

I use my A/C everyday. It works, but it seems like it puts more of a drag on the motor than usual. It only squeals when it kicks on at idle. If the revs are above 1k, it doesn't.

 

[Diehonda]

most aftermarket belts suck, but the goodyear gatorback is pretty good and so is bando (OE supplier for mazda and other japanese makes like toyota)... if you can't find them, then just buy the belts from the dealer

X2

i have gates belts.. no problems

I had gates all around. The alternator belt snapped one day. Replaced all fo them with Gatorbacks once a friend that owns a shop confirmed that it was a faulty belt, not tension, that caused the snappage.

I have done dozens of belts and NEVER had any this tight. I'm scared to go any tighter. Do you guys have your A/C belt abnormally tight?

Loosen it. My AC belt has almost a quarter inch of flex. See if that helps

 

[smokin234]

I just went through this on my girl's P5 about a year ago, changed the alternator and the belts at the same time since I was in there and they were good, for about a week.

About 4 months later and 2 more sets of new belts later I was at the dealership getting new ones that haven't squeaked for a year. It's a 2002 117,000 miles.

 

[cbrcrx]

Well, I talked to the guy that does A/C on cars. He thinks the compressor is going out and is just hard to get turning. Anyone ever heard of that? It makes sense, though.

 

[el_Don]

Yea I think mine might be as well. It's happened on a couple of my cars. Down here we can't live without a/c. Eventually they'll start to lockup and you'll get some squealing. See if you can replace it yourself. I'd imaging it's pretty labor intensive so they might charge you a good amount for the work.

 

[cbrcrx]

Yea I think mine might be as well. It's happened on a couple of my cars. Down here we can't live without a/c. Eventually they'll start to lockup and you'll get some squealing. See if you can replace it yourself. I'd imaging it's pretty labor intensive so they might charge you a good amount for the work.

This guy did my Civic for $100 including the used compressor. Can't beat that.

 

[el_Don]

oh wow, much better than I thought. I was thinking 250 would be the price. That's a nice deal.