What causes squeeking belts?

[1sty]

About a week ago the belts in my car began to squeek some and nore its getting worse by the day. Now they make a whining noise when driving. Are they too loose or too tight, I'd assume loose and how hard is it to tighten them up?

Thanks Guys

 

[20ESGUY]

I'd check to see how tight they are first. Just press down firmly with you fingers or the blunt end of a wood ruler to check the deflection., it shouldn't be more than a few millimeters. If that checks good look at the belt surface, if its really shinny looking then it's glazed, take a wire brush, and while the cars running at idle place the brush in one spot on the belt and move it perpendicular to the belt slightly, do that on the inside and outside, just don't move it on the inside otherwise it'll mess the grooves up. If it's not glazed or loose check for leaky fluids, like freon, antifreeze, or oil.

 

[promp3]

They also have belt dressing to help stop this too. be careful dont get any fingers cought.

 

[Sir Nuke]

They also have belt dressing to help stop this too. be careful dont get any fingers cought.

OR that damn wire brush!!! geeeez.

the belts typically squeel/squeek when they are slipping. and yes you can get belt dressing at any autoparts store or even walmart....just squirt a little on while its running....this is a temporary fix though.....

you will find an idler pully that has a tensioner adjustment on it...its how you tighten the belt up...and/or losten it up to remove it for replacement. I am not at home now....but I would bet you may find the specifics of that in your manual...not 100% sure though.

 

[Kooldino]

How many miles do you have on it?

 

[1sty]

I have 15000 on the car but I no long think its the belts. I believe the alternator is dying. The idle voltage of the car is 12.26 an dthe resting is 12.5. It would seem the alternator is just barely keeping the battery charged and may be the source of the noise. Its kind of a whering sound nt just a squeek.

 

[blynzoo]

I have 15000 on the car but I no long think its the belts. I believe the alternator is dying. The idle voltage of the car is 12.26 an dthe resting is 12.5. It would seem the alternator is just barely keeping the battery charged and may be the source of the noise. Its kind of a whering sound nt just a squeek.

If you do replace the alternator, go with a more powerful one. That has always been my complaint with mazda, they bolt on alts that just barely cover the cars needs. Turn on your headlights, and try to roll up the windows when they're already up, just for a sec. the electric motors that pull up one window are enough to barely overload our electrical system and cause a brown-out (the headlights will dim).

When you go to NAPA, or Pep Boys, or wherever, find out what the max and average operating specs of the stock alternator are, then move up a notch. You could also take a more powerful alternator from another mazda.

 

[1sty]

If you do replace the alternator, go with a more powerful one. That has always been my complaint with mazda, they bolt on alts that just barely cover the cars needs. Turn on your headlights, and try to roll up the windows when they're already up, just for a sec. the electric motors that pull up one window are enough to barely overload our electrical system and cause a brown-out (the headlights will dim).

When you go to NAPA, or Pep Boys, or wherever, find out what the max and average operating specs of the stock alternator are, then move up a notch. You could also take a more powerful alternator from another mazda.

(rofl)

You don't fallow the audio forum huh?

The alternator I have is a 180 amp AC delco.