240 General: Fan belts

[Clifford Pope]

I'm tired of fan belts that seem fine for a while and then start making a squeaky noise at idling speed. I understand this often arises because the belts commonly supplied are only 10mm wide instead of the correct 11.9mm.

Can anyone confirm that the matched pair of genuine belts from Brookhouse, part number 973537, really are the correct width?

[Clifford Pope]

Or from Classicswede?

I ask because Europarts list this item but give the dimension as 10 mm.

[Stephen Edwin]

Is there any problem buying from, a Volvo dealer? Are their dimensions sometimes wrong? Dealer provided belts are serving me well. The delivered price from say FRF might even be cheaper than third party supplies.

[classicswede]

The belts are genuine Volvo belts and matched pairs for perfect fit https://www.classicswede.co.uk/Fan_B..._11181193.aspx

[Clifford Pope]

But are they 11.9mm? The power steering belt width is stated as 10.0mm, and I thought that was meant to be the same width as the alternator/fan?

[Clifford Pope]

Originally Posted by classicswede

The belts are genuine Volvo belts and matched pairs for perfect fit https://www.classicswede.co.uk/Fan_B..._11181193.aspx

Sorry, but they are the wrong size like all the other suppliers'. They are only 10 mm wide, so consequently sit too deep in the pulleys. They apparently are supposed to be 11.9 mm.

Hence my original question - does anyone know who sells these?

[Clifford Pope]

Photos attached. These are the new belts. They still make a creaking noise when the engine turns slowly at idling speed.
As I think is clear in the photos, the belts sit too deep in the pulley grooves, particularly the crank pulley.

I know the belts are original Volvo spec, but they are notoriously prone to noise, and debate on Brickboard etc identified the problem as being because they needed to be wider.
The figure of 11.9 mm seems perhaps a bit too wide, but it happens to be a standard width size. On Brickboard Gates belts seem to be recommended.
The figure was quoted here some years ago by Clan.

Perhaps 11mm would be best?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

I'm tired of fan belts that seem fine for a while and then start making a squeaky noise at idling speed. I understand this often arises because the belts commonly supplied are only 10mm wide instead of the correct 11.9mm.

Can anyone confirm that the matched pair of genuine belts from Brookhouse, part number 973537, really are the correct width?

The squeaking is caused by the pulleys rather than the belts , they get highly polished and the V shape wears after the decades and 100's of 1000's of miles which have passed !
I remember when the cars were current and noise complaints were received new pulleys cured it .

[Clifford Pope]

If that's true then all the pulleys on mine were worn out after 110,000 miles.

Do you really fit a new crankshaft pulley at 100,000 miles - is that a regular service item?
It seems hard to believe - are Volvo pulleys made to inferior standards to other cars?

[Clan]

Originally Posted by Clifford Pope

If that's true then all the pulleys on mine were worn out after 110,000 miles.

Do you really fit a new crankshaft pulley at 100,000 miles - is that a regular service item?
It seems hard to believe - are Volvo pulleys made to inferior standards to other cars?

no . not many had new pulleys , they just replaced the belts which got rid of the noise for a while . but 100,000 miles + is when the squeaking becomes apparent , you only have to look at the water pump pulley to see how polished and worn it looks , perhaps the belts were too hard , too good a quality , they did tend to last forever .
Another point , the alternator and in some cases the power steering pump were rubber mounted , and oil gets on the mounts and causes the bushes to weaken putting the pulleys out of line which increase the wear .