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YACT: (again) drivebelt?

K

Kipper

Diamond Member
I was parking my car and noticed a certain chirping/scratching/whistling sound coming from the engine area when it was idiling. Sound runs no matter what gear the car is in or if it's in neutral, so I popped open the hood to see what was up...the sound seems to be coming from the drivebelt area running on the left hand side of the car. According to the Haynes manual I have, that is.

I'm pretty sure it's the main drivebelt, but is there anyway I can casually check to see if it is in fact the belt? Also, how easy is it for a novice with cars to replace/remove this belt and if not, how much should a repair run me? Driving a 1997 Saturn SL2, 119,250 miles. Any help from AT car gods would be much appreciated.
 
first, see how "loose" the belt is by pushing on it when the engine is stopped. The manual should tell you how far it can move and be "in spec". If its loose, try increasing the tension on it and/or replacing it. If its, not, the belt it probably slipping. Rub a candle on it (wax) and that should stop the slipping and hopefully the squealing. Course, the belt is probably less then $15 so you could always just replace it.
 
MCD, I have never been under the hood of a Saturn. No mechanic knows everything.
Engines can use multiple V-belts or a single serpentine belt, some call it a polygroove belt.
Its 1" wide and drives everything{ all accessories}. They may just need adjustment. Most likely the are hard and glazed. Twist the belts and look at the driving surface. If it shows wear from running loose or cracking on the surface replace them. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine if the belt or some component is the noise maker. A trick I do is to squirt the belt in question with a little water. I use an adjustable spray bottle, like a squirt gun. If the noise goes not away when the belts wet it can be a component.{ IE water pump, power steering pump,ac bearing,or alternator}. It most likely just needs belts.
The candle idea works too, bee's wax works even better but putting it on a running belt is an invitation to disaster. Short fingers anyone. Hayne's has pics of bad belts......
V-belts you adjust, polygroove normally use a spring loaded idler to tension them..🙂
 
Here is a link to a service procedure for inspecting and replacing your belt.

Serpentine Drive Belt

Be sure to check all the pulleys and tensioners when the belt is off for any looseness or binding before putting the new belt on.
 
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