Belt squeal and possible leaking waterpump?

[alexatwork21]

I had some belt squeal so I replaced the serpentine belt with a Dayco. After a few weeks, the squeal came back and I replaced it again. Again, a few weeks later, the squeal returned.

Upon closer inspection, there are what look like tiny bits of crystallized red stuff in the grooves of the belt.

Has this happened to anyone before, and if so, is this coolant from a seeping water pump? If not, what else might it be?

Thanks!

 

[sonerick]

I'm assuming you have a V6.

My water pump started leaking around 110k-ish miles, causing the belt to squeal under wet conditions. Although I did not remove the belt itself to check, there was dried up coolant visible on the front of the engine block below the pump. Crusty pinkish stuff. It was leaking from the weep hole. Sounds like this could be your problem. Has the coolant level in your overflow tank dropped at all?

 

[alexatwork21]

Yeah it's a v6. Thanks for the info

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Check the grooves on the pulleys to make sure they are clean also. You may need to brush out the crystalized material. In the past I have had problems with non oem belts squealling but that was years ago. I only use oem now.