Alternator Belt

[MistralMac]

I'm getting the squealing sound from my alternator belt.

It comes and goes. Usually there when I start up and the engine is cold.
I think this puts extra pressure on the alternator as I'm powering the heating and usually going out at night with the headlights on.

Last night I turned the heater off and powered down the headlights (while parked) and the noise quietened down.

I've looked at the online manual but I'm still not too sure how to tackle the belt adjustments. Can anyone offer any pointers please.

I poured water on the belts while the engine was idling and this made the noise much louder. I think this proves its the belts does it not?

Thanks.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

if it were mine i would change the belts, they are not exspensive and the water pumps are problematic on these vehilces , and overtensioning a belt can spell disaster for the pump, it snot much more trouble than tensioning.

if you do go down the tensioning route be carefulll not to over tighten!

 

[KillerPete]

Don't know about pouring water over the belts, but I have given then a squirt of WD40 before now, that seens to stop them squealing.

 

[Terranosaurus]

Don't know about pouring water over the belts, but I have given then a squirt of WD40 before now, that seens to stop them squealing.

Not a good idea, WD40 is a lubricant and is more likely to be making the belt slip easily (just not audibly) than to actually stop the slipping, also oil based products cause rubber to degrade so you're shortening the life of your belt too. As a short term fix you can get belt dressing spray which will stop the slipping/squealing but ultimately the belt needs to be correctly adjusted and if in the slightest bit suspect replaced, you can always keep the old one as a spare, keep it in the boot in case one ever goes on a trip. I do this with all sorts of easily replaceable parts, dizzy cap, rotor arm, spark plugs etc. TBH haven't needed em for years but there'll always be there if I do.

 

[CaptLimey]

Hi Mistral Mac

Belts squeal because they're slipping under load as you have found when the headlights etc. are on. Belt slipping is caused by either lack of tension due to loose adjustment or by a 'polished' belt surface causing the same effect. The surface become polished through wear and becomes increasingly polished when squealing.

Spraying with a lubricant may not be the ideal solution. It may temporarily stop the annoying sound but will not cure the basic problem and could have an adverse effect by preventing the belt from driving the components it is designed to power.

As already advised by PLANK, replacement is not difficult or expensive and is probably the best course. It involves slackening the alternator as far as it will go, removing the drive belt and replacing it with the correct new unit.

I have yet to do it on my T2 but I'm sure others will give you the benefit of their personal T2 experiences. However on other engines, I have found that sufficient pressure to correctly tension the belt can be easily applied by inserting a crow bar or stout screwdriver as a lever between the alternator and some solid part of the block whilst tightening the adjusting nut.

Correct adjustment is to set the tension so that you can depress, by hand, the longest span of the belt somewhere between half and three quarters of an inch (10-17mm).

Regards CL

 

[supalot]

belts

if the belts gone smooth try talcum powder 8O it stops the noise short term but you will need a new one soon

 

[MistralMac]

Thanks for all your replies...

New alternator belt is on the to do list...

 

[thor]

My suggestion is use your hammer shaft as the lever....much safer
that's what it was put on that lump of metal for anyhow...wasn't it :?: :wink: