How to QUIET a squeaky belt

Belt squeal, squeaky belt, or belt noise? Learn how to quiet a squeaky belt in your car.
I show you how to temporarily quiet the belt using WD40 so that you can drive to the parts store without the annoying squeal. The serpentine belt in your car powers the accessories such as air conditioning, power steering, the alternator, fan, and waterpump. There are three types of serpentine belt wear, pilling, glazing, and abrasion. Pulley wear will cause your pulley to squeak. A worn out pulley bearing or a worn spring in the tension pulley can also cause squeaking.

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Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. ChrisFix assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. ChrisFix recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of ChrisFix, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not ChrisFix.

[michaelkirwan]

There is a product called DOOR EASE and comes in the form of a wax-like crayon and is housed in a metal tube. It was designed to quiet hinge squeaks and all you have to do is apply a very small amount to the contact side of the belt (Vee, or ribbed) and the best part is that it doesn't evaporate and actually improves the belt life and lasts a long time. You can get this product at most real hardware stores and it is inexpensive, too.

[ericmoir]

Great vid Chris and I think you made it pretty clear that this is not a fix but a brief relief of the noise until it's replaced, which you also emphasised in the tone of your voice you must do asap. It's also a good way to diagnose where the sound is coming from through the process of elimination. Some people need to not just watch but listen. Cheers.

[SiBorgA]

First you have to check where the squealing is coming from. 

If it's continuous, or rises and falls with slow changes in engine speed - it might not be the belt itself.

If it's intermittant and only occurs when you blip the throttle - especially when starting from cold and a lot of power is going into the alternator - it's more likely to be the belt friction surface and a light spray of WD40 will change the friction coefficient just enough to eliminate the noise. 

It does this by tending to break down any glazing and as it evaporates away very quickly it leaves a "stickyer" surface.
Because you are only using a light spray, it only affects the suface to a depth of probably only a few molecules with no measurable effect on the strenghth of the belt itself.

[A.I.F]

I have tried wd40, silicone spray and candle. Wd40 works for 1 day only. Noise comes back after 1 day. Silicone spray same as well. However, by rubbing candle onto the belt and let the wax melt into the belt while idling, works like a charm!! It has been many days already and the belt is quiet and never reapplied the candle except that one time. Cheaper and works. Will replace belt soon but this buys me more time to shop online and wait for delivery. Try it. Only cost pennies.

[Grif]

Between you and my pops I can fix any car issue. Keep up the great work.

[stefonpalinic]

I sprayed my belt with WD forty and it stopped squeaking for six months. It was well worth it thanks u

[xeeqee]

A belt transfers power through friction. If friction is reduced, power transmission is also reduced. This can cause overheating (slow water pump or fan), insufficient AC, insufficient charging or electrical power, loss of power steering.

A belt makes noise when misaligned or slipping.

Lubrication just causes the slipping to increase and usually drives any noise up in frequency so we don't hear it. Lubrication is counterproductive in any belt type friction drive. Belt dressings are usually either an adhesive formula to increase friction temporarily or a lubricant. Neither one fixes the problem and usually end up making a mess to be cleaned up.

[chrisfix]

Learn how to fix the belt squeak permanently! 

[rahndo]

Try pressing candle wax to the rotating belt. Adds grip.

[havocb]

I just wanna say I am very impressed with you videos. You are one of the few on YouTube I can actually believe. I use YouTube sometimes when I'm stuck on a problem with my truck or projects.
I have to do a heater core flush and I actually never have done one before. I understand the process but I watched your video in hopes to answer some of my questions on what to use. Sure enough I found detailed answers. Thank you Chris fix.
Sending props from Delaware!

[fuckgoogle]

Ive been chasing down what I and my professional mechanic friends naturally assumed was a slipping alternator/fan belt. Upon starting there was this horrible screeching sound and the volt meter would sag until the screeching stopped which might be 2 or up to 20 seconds.
After pursuing every possible solution including changing the alternator (and adding tiny teeth to its pulley with channellock pliers) the problem persisted...tho every remedy seemed to make the screech go away for awhile.
You know what it was? On this engine (3.2 litre Isuzu v6 used on rodeos and troopers mid 90s) the pulleys are press fit onto the harmonic balancer and can work loose. The screech was metal on metal. Pulley slipping on the balancer. Tightening the belt (by itself or when you replaced the alternator) increased side loading of the pulley which diminished the slippage for a short time and led you to believe you were on the right track fixing it.
My mechanic buddies had never seen this but apparantly the gurus at planetisuzu forums say its common.

[allancooling]

mate great quick fix got me to my mechanic without the embarrassing squeal

[stephendenn]

I found Black Magic tire shine works real well. Just a little shot of it will quiet down a squeaky belt for a long time.

[xapemanx]

I sprayed too much WD-40 on my squeaky belt once and my pants fell down :)

[nsfr]

If they are squeaky replace belt or check pulley. Dont spray anything on your belts. Surprised chris actually suggested this. Blows my mind.

[BenShapirosLowerLip]

My father, a retired mechanic for the city of Omaha, would always tell me to use aerosol cooking spray or a bar of soap until I had the time and a few extra bucks to switch out the belt. It seemed to always work, no harsh chemicals.

[victormontano]

WD works fine but Armor all worked just fine for me, the stuff you spray on your tires works fantastically on squeacky belts as well.

[johnwalker]

10 years ago! Oh, man throwing it back in time

[brianbrehmeyer]

Belt squeaked horribly Idlers and pulleys looked good. After changing the belt, twice. Tried talcum powder, bee's wax, and belt dressing. Still squeaked. Then tried anti-seize, worked great. Same belt has been on for 6 years, had to refresh the anti-seize about two years ago. No slipping problems. Rig charges normally, ac has no problems, etc.

[timmygunz]

I been spraying with belt conditioner. It lasts until morning dew or rain gets on it. Gotta get me one of them gator back belts you recommended