Q&A for How to Quiet a Noisy Fan Belt

Return to Full Article

Coming soon

Add New Question

Question

Why does my fan belt squeal when I start my car?

Duston Maynes
Automotive Repair Specialist
Duston Maynes is an Automotive Repair Specialist at RepairSmith. Duston specializes in leading a team that handles a variety of automotive repairs including replacing spark plugs, front and rear brake pads, fuel pumps, car batteries, alternators, timing belts, and starter motors. Duston holds an Associate’s degree in Automotive/Diesel Technology from The Universal Technical Institute of Arizona and is a Certified Diagnostic Technician and Automobile Mechanics Technician through BMW STEP. RepairSmith received The 2020 Big Innovation Award by Business Intelligence Group and The Startup of the Year by the American Business Awards. RepairSmith was also included in Built in LA’s 50 Startups to Watch and The Business Intelligence Group’s 52 Names Leading the Way in Customer Service. RepairSmith offers in-home services to provide car owners convenient and complete auto repair everywhere.

Duston Maynes

Automotive Repair Specialist

Expert Answer

The belt tension might not be good enough, a pulley might be binding, an aged tensioner might be causing a slip in the belt, or oil on the belt might be forming an oil leak. Stop by a local shop to get your vehicle properly diagnosed.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 1 Helpful 2
Question

Can a misaligned belt cause any serious damage, other than the annoying squealing?

Logic Johnson Lafontaine

Top Answerer

No serious damage, but your belt probably won't last as long as a well aligned one, since there`s going to be some unnatural stress on at least one of the grooves.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9
Question

Is there a warranty on a driving belt and pulley of secondhand car?

Community Answer

Most states have 'as is' rules - when you purchase a car, you get it in the condition it's in with no warranty whatsoever, unless otherwise specified in the contract or bill of sale.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 4
Question

Will something else work other than belt dressing?

Community Answer

There is a number of things that would work, like soap, wd-40, or baby powder. These are only temporary fixes, though, so the noise will return.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 8
Question

When should a timing belt be changed?

Community Answer

Check with dealers of your brand. Some are about gone after 50,000 miles; some longer. If you have an "interference" motor and the belt breaks, the pistons can hit the valves and destroy your engine. My friend got really lucky, his had a bent pushrod - all of $2-3 fixed it!

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 7 Helpful 3
Question

How can I tell if my fan belt is expensive?

Community Answer

Call a parts supplier and tell them the year/make/model/engine of your vehicle and they can tell you. You can also look it up online and do your own research.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

Will soap quiet the belt?

Community Answer

Yes, it will as a temporary fix, but it's recommended that you replace the belt or determine why the noise is happening as soon as possible.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0