squeeky belt

[Gubni]

I just bought a truck from upper NY. Of course it's fairly rusted, but got a good deal. Anyway one of the problems is there was a loud squeek from under the hood. I thought for sure it was a bad idler pully, but when I lube the ribbed side the noise goes away for a little while. The pullies do look rusty. I was told a new belt would not help it any. Is that true? What should I do? I'm guessing that I should pull all the pullies off and paint them, but how long would that last?

 

[DaveBen]

You might try Belt Dressing before you go pulling off pulleys. It should be found at a good auto parts store - if they still make the stuff.

Dave

 

[JLDickmon]

Use a Paint-Stik tire crayon... when the pulleys get polished, replace the belt. And the tensioner

 

[fordtrucker4life!]

Personal preference on the belt dressing, but it is a waste of money. There are a couple different possibilities the tensioner is most likely not tensioning therefore letting the belt slip, but the alternator bearings could be shot and squeaking. I have seen this multiple times. Check the pulleys and do the test dickmon suggests.

 

[HoustonPSD]

When my belt started squeeking my water pump had start to fail and the shaft was not straight. It wasn't leaking yet, but you could tell on the pulleys and belt...the side closest to the engine was worn down.