New belt squeals on (very) cold starts

[pasadena_commut]

A new alternator belt was just put on our P5. It is with my daughter in Columbia, MO. She tells me that when she started it this morning it squealed for a few seconds. But it was really cold, like 16F. Is squealing at that low a temperature "normal", or should she take the car back to have the belt adjusted? Under those conditions, is a belt squealing because the metal has contracted or because it is stiff? I believe there is a tensioner on that belt, but perhaps that spring is also a bit stiff when cold.

I have no experience with driving cars in those sorts of temperatures, is there some step she could take to minimize this issue? Parking it in a garage is unfortunately not in the cards- it is parked outside in the open, with no shelter of any type.

Thanks.

 

[tweety2300]

That isn't all that cold. That belt is manually adjusted, have her take it to wherever it was installed and have them adjust ut

 

[pcb]

Proper belt adjustment is quite difficult on our cars.

lt's really easy to over tighten the belt and end up straining the alternator bearing and having it go bad.

I had two alternators go bad because of this and it was adjusted by a mechanic.

The alternators were covered under warranty but it cost me $180 for labor each time. That work ended up wrecking my oil seal at the transmissIon (CV shaft was pulled to replace alternator),... another $225.

That was before joining this site, learning about my car, then doing all my own work.

Make sure the mechanic does it properly.

It can help a lot by turning off all electrical loads before starting your car ( blower, defog, wipers, lights, ect...) let it warm up for a minute or two before turning stuff on.

 

[Nocturin]

Mine squels like a SOB before heating up, but after seeing all the issues witht he bearings and what-not... ima just leave it be.

Didn't think about turning off electronics before it warms up, but that makes a bunch of sense. I think mine's the power-steering belt that's squealling. What all is ran off that belt?

 

[pcb]

... after seeing all the issues with the bearings and what-not... ima just leave it be.

that's what I do,... I only adjust it if it starts squealing when its warm.

Didn't think about turning off electronics before it warms up, but that makes a bunch of sense. I think mine's the power-steering belt that's squealling. What all is ran off that belt?

Its almost for sure the alternator belt. That belt only drives the alternator and water pump.

If my belt is squealing at startup, it almost always stops the instant I turn off the headlights and blower.

I also try to turn off everything electrical a couple of minutes before I shut off the car.

That helps to make sure the battery is completely charged so that the alternator doesn't have to strain at startup to top it up.

I even installed a solar panel on top of the sunshade to help keep the battery topped up.

 

[thuzil]

If you paid $$ to have it installed take it back and have them do it properly. The belt should never squeal.

 

[pcb]

If you paid $$ to have it installed take it back and have them do it properly. The belt should never squeal.

I agree,... perhaps the OP could make sure the mechanic is aware of the specs.

Her belt is now used (stretched and seated) so it should be easier to get an accurate setting.

Over tightening is a bad thing... that was my $500 lesson.

 

[tweety2300]

It's not necessarily the mechanics fault, once a belt goes through a couple heat cycles the will loosen up a bit. It is very common to have to re adjust within a week.

But you can still take it back and make them re adjust it

 

[thuzil]

I have never had a new belt squeal after install if it is done to the specs posted above. You need a deflection gauge and clean pulleys.

 

[tweety2300]

Mine were adjusted properly, and they stretched and squealed after 3 days. Readjusted and was fine for 2 years