hopefully just a little belt help on Thanksgiving

[threadlessclimber]

Happy thanksgiving. My 1999 4runner (v6 4x4 5spd w/ 194,000) has a squawk upon start up when it is raining. It isn't the normal squeal that I've heard from a loose belt and the sound only lasts for maybe a second and the sound only happens on cold start. Warm start no sound. But then last night after work I started it in the rain and it made the noise and somewhat stuttered upon initial ignition but roared to life. I then go to back out and my steering locked up and when I turned the wheel to verify the problem and the truck steered fine. I gave it a quick look--didn't see any glaring problems and drove it home. At home I looked at the belts and notice a chirping coming from the belts or pulleys or maybe even the fan or something in that center stack. This was at midnight. So this morning (24 degrees with no rain) I start it up with no squawk or hesitation but the chirping is now here to stay.

All belts replaced last October (2012). The power steering belt was replaced again this February because when I did my power steering pump I got fluid on the belt. The belts seem tight and do not squeal. Fan clutch seems fine. The pulleys don't look beat up but I'm not much of a mechanic.

Thanks everyone for this great resource.

 

[threadlessclimber]

Guess I'll try and tighten the power steering belt but if the belt started constantly chirping I'm guessing the belt is bad. Did having the belt loose ruin it? It never made any noise unless it was really wet out side. Any input would be greatly appreciated because my knowledge of auto repair only includes the things I've experienced and this is new to me.

James

 

[kball]

I'd start with tightening the alt belt first. That should be the only belt under load right at start up. Unless you are turning your wheel and have the a/c on when you are starting up. After doing my timing belt I had the short squeal like you. I only adjusted the alt belt and it went away.

 

[LittleCaesar]

+1 with Kball's recommendation; you want about 3/8" deflection on the PS pump belt.

If that does not solve the issue, it may be the fan bracket pulley bearing if the noise is originating from the center as you stated.

 

[threadlessclimber]

Thanks for the responses. I did adjust the alt belt last week and the noise still happened. When I did the adjustment I found that the tensioner wasn't set because when I loosened the pivot bolt and the locking bolt the alternator swung loose--I used the tensioner and set the tension on the belt. At first the belt squeaked and I tightened until it stopped. Today I tightened the power steering belt because it didn't seem as tight as the alt. belt and the chirping seems to have lessened but until it rains real hard I won't know if it makes the squawk noise at start up. Could the power steering belt need replacing? Did I ruin it somehow? Or have I not tighten it enough?

The write-ups I've read talk about belt deflection--how much pressure is needed to determine the proper deflection?

 

[opie74]

Belts could be getting glazed as well as the pulleys getting to smooth from the slipping belts. New belts and some emery cloth on the pulleys is the ultimate fix. You can get "belt dressing" from the auto parts store for a temporary fix.

 

[threadlessclimber]

I'd rather go with the fix by replacing the belt. My dad said use belt dressing but I'd just be masking a problem, so next warm day I've found me another project.

 

[TheDurk]

I'd rather go with the fix by replacing the belt. My dad said use belt dressing but I'd just be masking a problem, so next warm day I've found me another project.

It took 120k for one of my three original belts to wear to the point that it would squeal no matter how tight I cranked it down. I then changed all three (and did my timing belt and water pump as well.) No more squeals.

 

[threadlessclimber]

It took all this time to figure it out but it turned out that the pulley for the power steering belt (that is behind the fan clutch)--must have been dropped when I had the dealer do the timing belt because it had a nice irregularity that wasn't allowing the belt to sit correctly. Nice that I found the cure--maybe this helps someone else.