I drove my car again this morning, and every now and then i would hear a sqweel from the front of the car. The only thing that would do that is the belts right? All of my belts have around 1/4 inch of play movement(maybe 3/8 on the compressor belt) and the two belts that go to the fan/alternator are BRAND NEW. I'm lost here. I was driving in about 30mph winds with heavy rain, but that still shouldn't cause something to sqweel should it?
thanks
Ryan

If the belts are brand new, who replaced them and how long ago? If belts are too loose, they will occasionally squeal. If belts are too tight, they can damage pulleys and bearings. All three belts are relatively easily adjusted.

If a belt slips a lot and overheats, the surface of the belt can glaze over which will require replacement of the belt. Slipping for a couple of seconds wouldn't cause this, though.

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

thanks, i'll go to my local mechanic and ask him about them. Thats how you spell "squeal" i knew sqweel wasn't right but i was too lazy to hit spell check. Thanks again
Ryan

It always helps to know what model you are talking about. Are you speaking of a set of V belts or a serpentine belt?

Have a great day,

New V-belts should be run for 15-30 min. and then re-checked to see if they are properly tensioned. Usually, the new V-belts will need to be tightened a bit after the initial stretch - unless the V-belts were overtightened initially. Belts that are overtightened can cause bearing failure(s) in the alternator, power steering pump, or AC clutch. A tool measuring V-belt tension and/or deflection (distance the belt moves) can be purchased at most auto parts houses. Most serpentine belts have an idler gear that is spring loaded to give the correct tension.

Good Luck!

Tom

sorry, the car is a 1983 300SD. the car has a ton of v-belts, no serpintine unfortunately(they are so much easier to work on)
Ryan

Over time all V-belts will stretch a bit and need to be adjusted to tighten them back to spec and prevent slippage on the pulleys. When re-tightening the belts it is recommended to visually inspect them for defects indicating the belt(s) need replacing (for example: separation, cracking, glazing on the contact surfaces, etc. etc.)

Also, sometimes a mechanic will overtighten new V-belts to account for the initial stretch and not go back and re-tighten the belts after an initial wear-in period (often so they can move on to another job and make $ since many mechanics work an a commission-only basis and/or a commission is a substantial part of their pay). Fearing that they may overtighten the new V-belts causing damage to the bearings they do not overtighten the new belts enough to prevent slippage on the pulleys that will/may begin not long after the owner receives their car from the repair shop.

I meant to mention this info in my first post.

Tom

__________________
America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.