>> Is it possible for ALTERNATOR to squeal only under belt tension?...

[fixizin]

... but freewheel fast and quiet with the belt off? Chasing down a squeal, can't find my stethoscope, started with the belt OFF to rule out the dreaded CMP shaft--all QUIET there...

... swapped out both idler and tensioner pulleys with a spare I had (from a previous squeak-chase, lol...), but still squealing, sounds louder near the alternator...

... FORGOT to just hit the whole belt with some silicone spray...

What say ye RKIs?


PS: BEFORE posting this I McSearched the entire 'Engines & Transmissions' forum for the string "alternator squeal" and got 0.0 Results...

 

[pjtoledo]

... but freewheel fast and quiet with the belt off? Chasing down a squeal, can't find my stethoscope, started with the belt OFF to rule out the dreaded CMP shaft--all QUIET there...

... swapped out both idler and tensioner pulleys with a spare I had (from a previous squeak-chase, lol...), but still squealing, sounds louder near the alternator...

... FORGOT to just hit the whole belt with some silicone spray...

What say ye RKIs?


PS: BEFORE posting this I McSearched the entire 'Engines & Transmissions' forum for the string "alternator squeal" and got 0.0 Results...

should have looked for 3.0 results

it's a slow night

 

[Curious Hound]

If an alternator bearing is going bad, it can squeal.

FWIW, I would discourage spraying anything in the belt. Even if some "miracle juice" does something, it's temporary. Belts work through friction. Anything that reduces that friction reduces the efficiency of the belt. Anything meant to "clean" a belt may very well soften and degrade it's rubber material. Belts are wear items and we must admit that they need to be replaced periodically.

 

[fixizin]

PS: BEFORE posting this I McSearched the entire 'Engines & Transmissions' forum for the string "alternator squeal" and got 0.0 Results...

JUST now discovered the "new" MEGASEARCH feature (how long has THAT been around?), and that returned quite a few results... will crawl through them later...

PS: it's times like these make ya miss the old-school pre-serpentine engines, with 2 or 3 separate belts!

 

[fixizin]

If an alternator bearing is going bad, it can squeal.

FWIW, I would discourage spraying anything in the belt. Even if some "miracle juice" does something, it's temporary. Belts work through friction. Anything that reduces that friction reduces the efficiency of the belt. Anything meant to "clean" a belt may very well soften and degrade it's rubber material. Belts are wear items and we must admit that they need to be replaced periodically.

What about mildly soapy water, followed by clear water to rinse away the soap?...

 

[fixizin]

OK, remembered a belt-squeal post from EONS ago about belt-tensioner pulley ALIGNMENT, with respect to all the other pulleys, esp. the crankshaft pulley... something about using a metal straight-edge or even a LASER to check the alignment, and SHIMMING actions if it's out of alignment, etc...

... so today I head out with my laser-level in hand, and... NOT friggin' necessary! CRIKEY that tensioner pulley is naked-eye VISIBLY way out-of-plane... like 8-10 degrees!... or at least 7 degrees... CAN'T be good for belt-squeal... or belt-LIFE!

Luckily new generic-brand tensioner on the way from the cranky peeps at Wock Auto... we'll see.

 

[bobbywalter]

JUST now discovered the "new" MEGASEARCH feature (how long has THAT been around?), and that returned quite a few results... will crawl through them later...

PS: it's times like these make ya miss the old-school pre-serpentine engines, with 2 or 3 separate belts!

oh hell no...

 

[SenorNoob]

Agreed. 2-5 v-belts is a PITA.

 

[Curious Hound]

Granted, if the serpentine belt breaks, no accessories work. But for making life easy, its a huge win.

• Automatic tensioning instead of prying on components while tightening a bolt? WIN
• Only one size belt to carry - WIN
• Easy removal and installation instead of removing one or 2 good belts in order to access the 3rd one which is broken? - WIN

When I replace one due to old age, I put the old one in the truck so I always have an emergency spare. Easy

 

[Bill]

You can spray water on the belt to verify if it is the belt that is squeaking. Or, you can buy belt dressing or conditioner which will stop the squeak temporarily. If it is the bearing that are squeaking you can replace them if you have the motivation to take the alternator apart. There are numerous online retailers that sell alternator and starter replacement parts where you can order the bearing from, but they often charge $10-$15 for a $3 bearing. If you can find the dimensions of the bearing you can order a Timken or National bearing for less.

 

[SenorNoob]

If you get it apart. Most parts stores will measure the bearing and find a replacement for you if they aren't busy.

 

[fixizin]

SOOOOOOooo... the Rock Auto box arrives, and wouldn't you know it... the new ChiCom belt-tensioner does NOT use the existing 8mm bolt...

... because that would make too much sense! No, I gotta go find/buy a T-45 Torx! ... which is "great" because then I'll AAAAALways have one...