What is a cure/treatment for squeaky fan belt?

[Pat Martone]

My fan belt squeaks a bit when the car is idling, and the belt is not too tight, and it has a couple of thousand miles on it.

I wonder what treatment I can use to minimize the squeak?

Might rubbing some parafin on the sides of the belt help?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[C26Pinelake]

The old fashioned way was to touch it with a bar of soap. I use Gates fan belt spray and my friend uses silicone.
Wayne

[tbirdtbird]

Not a common problem

be sure it is the belt and not the gen or WP

you can get a spray can of belt dressing in autozone etc.

or just use a household plant sprayer with water in it

In any case, watch your hands!!!

[spinelll]

My belt started squeaking the moment I replaced my old welded fan with aluminun. I don't think that the belt rests as deeply in the fan's pulley.
In any case, I swipe the belt with a bar of soap and I'm usually good for the day.

[montanafordman]

My fan belt was squeaking due to a stiff/seizing water pump that was due for a rebuild. You should have very little resistance turning the generator or water pump without the belt. After I rebuilt and regreased my water pump my belt squeaks were gone.

[Mitch//pa]

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are you running a generator or alternator?

[Pat Martone]

Thanks for the comments.

I am using an alternator, an aluminum fan, and a James Rupert Extreme Duty Leakless water pump, and I believe the squeak, which is audible only during engine idle, and with a relatively loose newer belt, is coming from the belt and not the water pump or alternator. I do here a slight alternator whirl or whine, but I am convinced the squeak is from the belt. With your suggestions of soap and/or belt dressing, I will be able to confirm my suspicians. Thanks again!

[Mitch//pa]

there are many discussions of belt noises on an an alternator set up using the search feature. here is just one
http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread...ogged+fan+belt

using the proper belt is important on an alternator setup

[Elcastor]

Mine squeaked when I installed a new aluminum 2 blade fan. It turned out that the 2 blade fan, when mounted on the water pump, was 1/8" further away from the engine than the old 4 blade fan. This 1/8" difference made a very slight fan belt misalignment. I put on the old 4 blade fan and the alignment problem and the squeak went away.

[Purdy Swoft]

I had a similiar squeak at idle.. I use the sealed rear bushing in my water pumps and they do cause a squeak similiar to a loose fan belt. I sprayed belt dressing on the belt and all that it did was to make a mess under the hood. I poured a five dollar bottle of waterpump lubricant in the radiator and the squeak at idle went away. This may not be your problem but it won't cost much or hurt to try, I got mine at Advance Auto Parts . Several companies make a similiar product. I think that Gunk is the brand name of the product that I used, it also prevents rust.

[mshmodela]

You may wish to VERY CAREFUL try to find the sound using one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/mechani...ope-69913.html



Clearly, be careful of the fan!

[FL&WVMIKE]

I don't know if they are still around, but there was a stick of hard grease, available, which would lubricate your door jams and could also be used to hold against your fan belt, for an instant.
They are, probably, still available.
I have a couple in my tool box.
MIKE (mikeburch)

[Y-Blockhead]

Gasgasinch Gasket Sealer and Belt Dressing Been around for years...

[BlueSunoco]

Hold the 'lead' part of a sharpened pencil against the belt w/ motor running.Watch your fingers.

[Pete / MA]

I've used this stuff for years. Even the drawers on the tool box. Great on door strikes, hood/trunk latches, etc. one stick will last a long time. Won't stain.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/i...ductId=1295696

[Pat Martone]

Thanks again for the replies.
I rubbed some parafin on the belt and the squeak is gone!

[tbirdtbird]

excellent idea!

[4118truck]

Belt dressing. We have used this on a number of cars, new and old. Customers come in thinking they have a bad bearing. Most time a couple of squirts save a lot of $$$$.

[SeaSlugs]

i have seen the model A alternator pulley installed backwards causing a belt misalignment would deffinately cause a squeak.

make sure the belt isnt glazed over.

[Jordan]

A simple squirt of wd-40 will do the job. I've used it before. Just spray it on the belt with the engine running.