Annoying squeel after washing engine bay

**ss~zoso~ss** · 05-10-2009, 04:23 PM

So as the title says, I washed my engine bay as i normally do, and let it sit for a bit while i washed the car, upon startup the (what sounds to be the belt) started to squeal...

after 75 or so miles of driving the squealing persists, I had even sprayed belt dressing on the belt when it was running, and still nothing, when i sprayed the belt it made the squealing worse when i was spraying then after it was back to the regular squeal

im perplexed, and pissed off, its a noticeable squeal while driving and at idle

any ideas?

**JoshieDoom** · 05-10-2009, 04:28 PM

Take off the belts and spin each pulley/idler by hand. Mine does the same thing and it wont go away till I WD40 everything then i have to wipe off the mess

**ss~zoso~ss** · 05-10-2009, 04:34 PM

yea idk if its a pulley / idler cuz of the reaction when i sprayed the dressing on the belt and the change in noise,

but i guess i'll WD all the pulleys and see wat happens,
idk how the belt could be squealing so much, it only has like 10k on it

**JoshieDoom** · 05-10-2009, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

yea idk if its a pulley / idler cuz of the reaction when i sprayed the dressing on the belt and the change in noise,

but i guess i'll WD all the pulleys and see wat happens,
idk how the belt could be squealing so much, it only has like 10k on it

I would see which one it is first.. I didnt WD the pulleys but behind them on the input shafts where the bearings are.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 05-10-2009, 04:40 PM

right right right, thats what i meant

i'll try it tmro

still open to other thoughts tho, there can only be so many possibilities

**JoshieDoom** · 05-10-2009, 04:46 PM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

right right right, thats what i meant

i'll try it tmro

still open to other thoughts tho, there can only be so many possibilities

Only way your gonna find out is to take the belts off and spin each pulley by hand and listen. Something just got wet

**0rion** · 05-10-2009, 05:53 PM

does your power steering or anything up front leak? May have just washed something onto the belt or pulley that's taking some time to burn off.

**5abivt** · 05-10-2009, 05:59 PM

What did you use to clean the engine compartment? I just did this with simple green and cleaned my engine bay but if ANY gets on the belt it will remove the moisture from the belt which = dry and soon to crack belts. WHen it loses its lubricitity it will squeal.

My belt was perfect and after I washed it it squeals like hell now. I'll be changing it this week.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 05-10-2009, 06:16 PM

i used simple green, but i dont see that ruining a belt cuz it didnt directly get sprayed on it, and by the time any of it may have reached the belt it had to have been VERY diluted

i even put belt dressing on the belts, idk if the belt is the problem or if its the pulley(s)

i'll try to mess with it tomorrow...

**5abivt** · 05-10-2009, 08:15 PM

I have a post on the 2nd page with pics of my simple green engine cleaning. My belt now squeals I did this just a few days ago. It squealed the moment I fired it after the cleaning. Like you, I put belt dressing on it and it shut up for a few seconds and just came back even louder. Coincidence?

**rbob93** · 05-11-2009, 02:37 AM

Originally Posted by 5abivt

I have a post on the 2nd page with pics of my simple green engine cleaning. My belt now squeals I did this just a few days ago. It squealed the moment I fired it after the cleaning. Like you, I put belt dressing on it and it shut up for a few seconds and just came back even louder. Coincidence?

Time for new belts???

Once a year 10 minute job

**va2001ss** · 05-11-2009, 07:46 AM

I change the belts after I clean the engine with simple green. I plan the the two together.

**5abivt** · 05-11-2009, 02:56 PM

Mine stopped squealing. But my alternator died now

**ss~zoso~ss** · 05-11-2009, 05:02 PM

still squealing here

i squirted WD on the top left idler pulley, i dont see it being possible to squirt any of the others ..

**JoshieDoom** · 05-11-2009, 08:06 PM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

still squealing here

i squirted WD on the top left idler pulley, i dont see it being possible to squirt any of the others ..

Have you taken the belt off to see which one is squeeling?

**ss~zoso~ss** · 05-12-2009, 12:58 PM

negative, gotta find time to do it, its pretty easy? or wat?

**5abivt** · 05-12-2009, 05:17 PM

EXTREMELY EASY. You wont believe how easy it is. I just removed the intake duct from the throttle body and the filter housing. You will see the belt in plain sight. use a 15 to turn the tensioner and pull the belt off the alternator. Pull it out. the diagram is honestly so very simple. reroute the belt leaving the alt last and then just turn the tensioner and push it on the alt pulley. Honestly I had to get it off to change the alternator I'm not even worried that I should have changed the belt while I was at it. it's a 2 minute job.

**JoshieDoom** · 05-12-2009, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by 5abivt

EXTREMELY EASY. You wont believe how easy it is. I just removed the intake duct from the throttle body and the filter housing. You will see the belt in plain sight. use a 15 to turn the tensioner and pull the belt off the alternator. Pull it out. the diagram is honestly so very simple. reroute the belt leaving the alt last and then just turn the tensioner and push it on the alt pulley. Honestly I had to get it off to change the alternator I'm not even worried that I should have changed the belt while I was at it. it's a 2 minute job.

if you have an aftermarket lid all you need is a 15mm.

BTW dont leave the alternator last, its the power steering pump.....

**ss~zoso~ss** · 05-13-2009, 11:31 AM

good to know guys, so you just turn the 15mm bolt and that moves the tensioner, it doesnt loosen it, it's spring loaded right?

i'll give this a shot at some point!

i'll post up afterwards