Squeaking belt

[Kev0607]

Hi guys,

I noticed that my car had a chirping noise coming from the auxiliary belt. I replaced it myself nearly 5 years ago with a new tensioner (genuine Volvo parts).

Recently the car went in for an MOT, but whilst it was in, I asked them to put a new belt on just to be safe, as I know what can happen if they snap! Anyway, the garage (Volvo Specialist) put a new belt on for me and the mechanic did say the old one did have some little cracks on it, as it was 5 years old. However, I'm still hearing a chirping sound with the new belt?

It seems to do it literally all the time from cold, but only stops when the car has been for a long drive like on the motorway. I did think it could simply be moisture accumulation on the belt that builds up overnight on these colder/damp nights. I'd expect the chirping to only last a few seconds on startup whilst the moisture was dried up naturally with the movement of the belt over the pulleys, but it doesn't do that. I could do a 20 mile drive around town and still hear the chirping?

Any ideas?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Hi guys,

I noticed that my car had a chirping noise coming from the auxiliary belt. I replaced it myself nearly 5 years ago with a new tensioner (genuine Volvo parts).

Recently the car went in for an MOT, but whilst it was in, I asked them to put a new belt on just to be safe, as I know what can happen if they snap! Anyway, the garage (Volvo Specialist) put a new belt on for me and the mechanic did say the old one did have some little cracks on it, as it was 5 years old. However, I'm still hearing a chirping sound with the new belt?

It seems to do it literally all the time from cold, but only stops when the car has been for a long drive like on the motorway. I did think it could simply be moisture accumulation on the belt that builds up overnight on these colder/damp nights. I'd expect the chirping to only last a few seconds on startup whilst the moisture was dried up naturally with the movement of the belt over the pulleys, but it doesn't do that. I could do a 20 mile drive around town and still hear the chirping?

Any ideas?

could the engine pulley damper be separating?

[GrahamBrown1]

Have you checked the alternator clutch pulley? I had bother with mine intermittent chirping. The give away was belt dust around pulley and alternator. I’d be probably putting one on as a matter of course if hasn’t been done recently. Mine failed at just 30,000 miles. Mine would chirp from cold until the pulley freed itself off and then it would be fine for the rest of the day. Wasn’t difficult to replace and I used an INA branded replacement as that is what the original was.

[Kev0607]

I can't see any dust around the alternator or the alternator clutch pulley. I've never replaced the alternator clutch pulley before, in my ownership anyway. Whether it has been done in the past, I don't know. I don't really want to replace parts for the sake of it though.

I'm just thinking if its a new belt, then that, in theory, rules the belt out. It must be one of the pulleys causing the chirping sound, but I don't know which or if there's any tests I can do. Space is quite limited in that area.

I can hear it every time I start the car in the morning and can continue to hear the chirping sound until the car basically reaches full operating temperature. The only time I don't hear it is after a motorway drive. Its more noticeable at slower speeds, as the engine noise makes it hard to hear above 30mph.

Its more of an annoyance more than anything!

[GrahamBrown1]

Well there isn’t really anything else to cause the noise, clan mentioned the damper. Only real way to tell is take the wheel off and pull the arch liner. That should be easily visible to check. I’ve never come across this as a failure but clan obviously has. You have changed the tensioner in the past and I can’t see the power steering pump causing this issue. You could remove tension off the belt and then check the pulley. It should slip one way. There are some good YouTube videos that may help. Removal of the pulley requires a special tool. You could also just remove the pulley cap if it’s fitted. On mine you could see the grease had come out the bearing and rust had got into it. Just a thought.

[Kev0607]

I was out in the car earlier today and the chirp on startup was barely audible, but its warmer today than it has been and it wasn't as damp overnight.

I think I'll leave it for now, as its highly likely that the squeak will be gone by the time I drive to the garage! Maybe I'll take a video to show the mechanic, as its difficult to replicate when the engine is warmer.

[Kev0607]

Is there any solution that I can apply to the belt to aid with reducing the squeaking?

I know that's not a permanent fix, but I'd be happy with something in the interim.

[kdst5]

I always thought a chirp on the aux belt was an indication that the freewheel on alternator had seized. This would then lead to the aux belt snapping and potentially taking out the cam belt which then destroys the engine. The freewheel on alternator can be checked and then replaced if needed.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Kev0607

Is there any solution that I can apply to the belt to aid with reducing the squeaking?

I know that's not a permanent fix, but I'd be happy with something in the interim.

volvo belts do not squeak when everything else is correct... your cause is somewhere else.

[GrahamBrown1]

You really need to check the alternator pulley! Failure can cost you. Your car is warning you something isn’t correct. Like I said earlier mine started to show signs of failure at 30k miles. It’s not a difficult repair and for peace of mind I would be replacing it anyway.