Belt squeal after rain or damp weather

[FourRunner05]

Good Morning All,

I have noticed that my 2005 Toyota 4Runner will develop a high pitch squeal after rain or heavily damp conditions. Is there a simple way to fix this, is it worth mentioning to the mechanic/dealership or will i just find myself getting hosed. I wanted to bring it up to you all whom know a hell of a lot more than I on the subject.

Thanks.

 

[jwyshrek]

How many miles on your 4Runner? Maybe it is time to change the belt and/or tensioner...

 

[FourRunner05]

Just over 70,000

 

[bigwebb83]

needs new belt and tensioner or possibly just tightened up. But I would go with a whole new setup at your mileage. I had a jeep that used to do this and a new belt and tensioner fixed it.

 

[jwyshrek]

Well, if the belt has never been replaced...it is well over due for replacement. A worn belt can make noises like you described...and you can no longer tell just by looking at them.

I'm not sure where to find them, but there are 'gauges' out there than can measure the belt rib depth to determine if a belt needs to be replaced or not. Or just replace it since you do have over 50k miles (if never replaced before).

If you plan on doing this yourself...you might check out this thread...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maintenance/11283-changing-v8-serpentine-belt.html

 

[FourRunner05]

Thanks all, now this isn't a timing belt you are talking about correct, but a fan belt or serpentine belt? Also, I have a V6 and not really a mechanically inclined 4Runner owner. Is this a rather simple and inexpensive and non-labor intensive thing for the mechanic to do?

 

[jwyshrek]

Right, it is the belt you can see and 'runs' the fan, alternator, air conditioner, etc.

Sorry, here is the writeup for V6...

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/56469-serpentine-belt-tip-if-you-need-change-one-v6.html

Well, it is fairly simple and quick to do...say less than 30minutes...if you have the right tool. However, mechanics, either independent or dealership will charge you a half to 1 hour flat rate...which is pretty standard thing to do. So, even if the job takes just 10 minutes, they will charge 1/2 hour of labor...some places will charge you an hour. Half hour and 1 hour labor rate different from state to state. But if you know of a mechanic for a long time or have a situation where the mechanic is a friend of a friend or family, you might get charged less.

The belt itself cost (in my area) about $30 to $50, depending on manufacturer and warranty, if you buy it yourself. Some shops I heard will mark this cost up to cover overhead/expenses/etc.

Now, if you have to have the tensioner replaced...well, that might be more involved.

 

[FourRunner05]

Thank you very much!

 

[t4rjasper]

Belt change is easy, tensioner is not!

I put a new drive belt on my '03 V6 about 6 weeks ago. It took 30 minutes of wrestling but it went on. Easiest way (I learned) is from the bottom using a ½" breaker bar on the tensioner to create slack. Thread the belt over all pulleys and feed onto PS pulley last. Use an inspection mirror to confirm that the belt is properly located on all pulleys before starting the engine or you might be sorry. This job could be done by anyone familiar with simple hand tools and general mechanical ability.

Anyway, a month after that exercise the tensioner started whining and chirping constantly, which is absolutely annoying. I bought an aftermarket tensioner from NAPA and spent the next 4 hours swapping it in. The killer is that both the AC compressor and the alternator bolt onto the tensioner bracket so you have to get those things out of the way before installing the new tensioner (AC comp does not have to have lines disconnected). Several bolts are HIGHLY concealed and difficult to remove, with the usual problems of nowhere to run a wrench or ratchet and no way to get any torque on the bolts. It can be done by a moderately skilled mechanic but it ain't fun.

My two cents.

 

[TechWrench]

There is a Toyota TSB out for the V6 engines with a serpentine belt noise. I believe the original TSB is EG012-03, and there may have been a later revised one issued. I had this done on mine early on (it took 5 visits to dealer before they got it right). But once it was done correctly, I haven't hand any further problems with the belt or tensioner pulley noise. The other possible problem is with the other three idler pulleys, they can start to have bearing problems and need to be replaced. Do a search on this, there are several older threads on this issue.

 

[gm350reratliff]

If and when you do replace your belt try to find a Goodyear Gatorback belt.

 

[00328]

What's the recommended mileage/time for changing out the belt.
I have 62K on mine and it still looks real good, no cracks at all in the ribs.
They do dry out though.

 

[t4rjasper]

Careful with the "no cracks" visual inspection. My belt looked fine except for feathered edges, but as I just bought the truck I put a new belt on for peace of mind. When I pulled off the old, seemingly good belt it had LENGTHWISE splits (several) that essentially caused the belt to fall into pieces in my hands. Maybe release the belt tension and have a good look at it when it's not pulled tight as a banjo string.

 

[BRUIN8124]

Sorry for the thread revival but I have this going on...

The squeak at first seem to come when wet or damp outside but would go away as the engine warmed up (or as the belt dried I assume).

Now it is constant. But it has been very humid lately here. Not sure if the humidity is coincidence or playing a part in this.

The belt is old but still looks ok. I will take the advice here and replace it regardless.

Hopefully it isn't the tensioner or one of the pulleys...

My question is... What is a reasonable price to pay to have this done at a shop? Parts/Labor? I know it usually a fairly easy job. Id do it myself but I cant fit my arms in there...

 

[wadle5]

Sorry for the thread revival but I have this going on...

The squeak at first seem to come when wet or damp outside but would go away as the engine warmed up (or as the belt dried I assume).

Now it is constant. But it has been very humid lately here. Not sure if the humidity is coincidence or playing a part in this.

The belt is old but still looks ok. I will take the advice here and replace it regardless.

Hopefully it isn't the tensioner or one of the pulleys...

My question is... What is a reasonable price to pay to have this done at a shop? Parts/Labor? I know it usually a fairly easy job. Id do it myself but I cant fit my arms in there...

Mine does the same thing and I replaced my belt even though the one on the vehicle was fine. The belt continued to do the same thing when damp or wet. I have been driving now for awhile with no issues as I assumed this is just the norm with these.

 

[BRUIN8124]

Sorry for the thread revival but I have this going on...

The squeak at first seem to come when wet or damp outside but would go away as the engine warmed up (or as the belt dried I assume).

Now it is constant. But it has been very humid lately here. Not sure if the humidity is coincidence or playing a part in this.

The belt is old but still looks ok. I will take the advice here and replace it regardless.

Hopefully it isn't the tensioner or one of the pulleys...

My question is... What is a reasonable price to pay to have this done at a shop? Parts/Labor? I know it usually a fairly easy job. Id do it myself but I cant fit my arms in there...

Thankfully it was just a bad belt. All quiet now...