1987 3.0 liter belt squeel at start up

[Starcraft5834]

Hi all,,,had new serpentine belt installed this year,, first few times out fine, noticing now at start up a belt squeal noise, lasts only 3-5 seconds then quiets down to normal... should I look at adjusting the belt tension? likely stretched out a bit? what do you think? thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: 1987 3.0 liter belt squeel at start up

Being an 87, I doubt it had a serpentine belt, just a V belt.
Was there a lot of black dust around the belt area of your engine?
The belt does need to be tight.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 1987 3.0 liter belt squeel at start up

Thanks Don,,, yep,, went out and looked, checked the belt tension and was moving bout an inch,, there was a little black dust, few pinches worth on the floor, I loosend the tensioner bolt on alternator, stuck channel lock pliers against the engine wall up against the alternator, careful not to smash any wires, applied pressure and click, click, back to tight I went. It's now tight again, did notice that the alternator flywheel is rusty, the alternator works, probably original equipment. the slipping on the rusty alternator flywheel at start up was "sanding" the new belt a bit. then it started to spin as it should, the belts fine,, it is new, been out with boat 4 times since installation of that belt, just noticed sound at last boat use, 2 days ago.. thanks again

 

[Don S]

Re: 1987 3.0 liter belt squeel at start up

Rusty pulleys are eating up your belt like a grinding wheel. The belts are getting narrower, not just loose.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 1987 3.0 liter belt squeel at start up

good call,, can you shoot me a link if possible for replacement of the alternator for the 3.0 liter 1987?? looked like plug and play,, 2 bolts and wire connectors.. thanks Don

 

[Don S]

Re: 1987 3.0 liter belt squeel at start up

You don't need a new alternator, you need to clean up the pulleys, paint them, put on a new belt and keep the water off of them.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: 1987 3.0 liter belt squeel at start up

looked closer this morning in good light..where belt rides on pully, there is no rust, rust is speckled on the outside of the wheel.. it was loose.. started it this morn, no squeel...