Drive belt squeal

Simon Linton · Feb 7th, 2003, 11:30

On my 850R the drive belt has started to squeal at the start for about 5 minutes until the engine warms.

The dealer says not to worry and it can wait till the next service which is due in about 2,000 miles from now.

Should I worry?

Feb 7th, 2003, 21:54

You could try squirting some WD40 onto the belt while the engine’s running. I had similar symptoms that were cured by this method on my old 240, but only had to renew the belts after 200,000 miles!
Maybe the belt just gets a bit stiff in these cold, damp winter mornings. (I know how it feels!)
Hope this helps.
Steve (V70R)

Chris_Rogers · Feb 8th, 2003, 08:30

The thing that would worry me are the words dealer and service in the same sentence ££££!

Go on get your tool box out and change the belt, it's a 20 min job.
But make a note of the belt route first, the Haynes manual is wrong for later cars.

jaytee · Feb 8th, 2003, 09:22

I would be inclined NOT to put any WD40 or any other lubricant on the poly. belt it may slip more, and wear quicker. Are you sure the noise is not from a bearing ? is the tension correct? I assume you are referring to the plain belt , not the cambelt? The 240 is a different story, didn't it have double V belts, which could get old and hard and squeal.

Jim

Simon Linton · Feb 8th, 2003, 19:37

Yes, putting WD40 on it would seem to be the wrong move - the belt is automatically tensioned by the sprung wheel but I assume it's probably stretched over time which would allow some degree of slip.

Now the weather has got warmer and drier the squeal has gone, so I hope the problem is not a serious one.

Davef · Feb 9th, 2003, 12:12

I'd agree with Chris. If the belt is squealing it obviously is slipping. For the sake of a few quid change it. If it fails you lose charging, power steering and air-con. Also bite the bullet and get a Volvo one. I've tried patent ones before now and they are never as good.
Dave

Feb 7th, 2003, 11:30	#1
Simon Linton 850/70 Register Keeper Last Online: Apr 24th, 2008 19:02 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Leicester	Drive belt squeal On my 850R the drive belt has started to squeal at the start for about 5 minutes until the engine warms. The dealer says not to worry and it can wait till the next service which is due in about 2,000 miles from now. Should I worry?

Feb 7th, 2003, 21:54	#2
swells Guest Location:	RE: Drive belt squeal You could try squirting some WD40 onto the belt while the engine’s running. I had similar symptoms that were cured by this method on my old 240, but only had to renew the belts after 200,000 miles! Maybe the belt just gets a bit stiff in these cold, damp winter mornings. (I know how it feels!) Hope this helps. Steve (V70R)

Feb 8th, 2003, 08:30	#3
Chris_Rogers VOC Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2017 16:55 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: South Kent Coast	RE: Drive belt squeal The thing that would worry me are the words dealer and service in the same sentence ££££! Go on get your tool box out and change the belt, it's a 20 min job. But make a note of the belt route first, the Haynes manual is wrong for later cars.

Feb 8th, 2003, 09:22	#4
jaytee Jim Last Online: Nov 30th, 2023 12:28 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Edinburgh	RE: Drive belt squeal I would be inclined NOT to put any WD40 or any other lubricant on the poly. belt it may slip more, and wear quicker. Are you sure the noise is not from a bearing ? is the tension correct? I assume you are referring to the plain belt , not the cambelt? The 240 is a different story, didn't it have double V belts, which could get old and hard and squeal. Jim

Feb 8th, 2003, 19:37	#5
Simon Linton 850/70 Register Keeper Last Online: Apr 24th, 2008 19:02 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Leicester	RE: Drive belt squeal Yes, putting WD40 on it would seem to be the wrong move - the belt is automatically tensioned by the sprung wheel but I assume it's probably stretched over time which would allow some degree of slip. Now the weather has got warmer and drier the squeal has gone, so I hope the problem is not a serious one.

Feb 9th, 2003, 12:12	#6
Davef VOC Member Last Online: Aug 4th, 2017 17:00 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: Uffculme, Devon View Photos By: Davef	RE: Drive belt squeal I'd agree with Chris. If the belt is squealing it obviously is slipping. For the sake of a few quid change it. If it fails you lose charging, power steering and air-con. Also bite the bullet and get a Volvo one. I've tried patent ones before now and they are never as good. Dave

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