Terrible squeal under hood!!!!!

hookntail · 09-18-2008, 10:41 PM

Started the other morning on the way to the gas station. I heard a low squeal under the hood that went away after about 10 minutes. Didnt hear it the next day. By wednesday, it was getting louder. It would squeal at idle and you could hear it in neutral, 1st and 2nd while at low rpms. Today, it was squealing still but very faint. When I turned my headlihts on , it got much louder. I sprayed some belt cleaner on it and it got better for a few minutes but then started again. Tonight, I sprayed wd40 on all of the moving parts (shafts) of the fan, alternator, etc. It stopped. I decided to drive down the street to test it and its back bigger and badder than ever. its extremely annoying. The headlight thing makes me think that it has to do with a load on the alternator. Please help...

hh65flyer · 09-18-2008, 11:23 PM

Sounds like you are on the right track. If you really suspect it's the alternator belt you could always remove it an try running your rig for a short while and checking to see if the sound goes away. I don't know what other accesories you have so be careful not to overheat if that is your only belt! But at least you can rule that out and move on to the drivetrain. Good luck.

**Skerr** · 09-18-2008, 11:55 PM

If it's under the hood, as it sounds, then it is a belt, pulley, or bearing. If you listened for it while the hood was up and the engine running, and you can't seem to isolate the sound, you can take a long screwdriver, or similar metal piece, touch it to the suspected part, and put your ear up to it. The sound should transfer through the metal. Of course, you know what could happen should it fall into the fan, or belt, with your face so close. Be very careful should you decide to do that.

One of the other folks has posted a couple replies to similar questions over the last couple of days. He recommends, while the engine is cool, before you start it that day, trying to slip the pulleys against the belt. If you can turn it by hand then the belt is loose. Check back through the forum a little.

Good luck...

**Mike Romain** · 09-19-2008, 08:14 AM

I test my belt by taking a cold off engine and seeing if I can hand slip the alternator pulley. If I can and the belt is still tight, it is time for a new belt. The belts get polished up easily when I play in the mud puts and won't grab anymore. I used to use 3 or more belts a season. Mud = liquid sandpaper.

hookntail · 09-19-2008, 08:16 AM

thanks guys. I did read his thread and I am going to try those things this afternoon... The other thing that I noticed is that it stops when I press the clutch.

hh65flyer · 09-19-2008, 03:00 PM

Now it's sounding like a throwout bearing or pilot bushing/bearing. How does the clutch feel otherwise?

hookntail · 09-20-2008, 04:29 PM

Clutch is fine. I think that i have figured this one out. The alternator sits about 1/2" back from the flywheel on the engine. The belt isnt running straight. I put a little wd40 on the belt and it immediately stopped. I am going to get several spaces to move the alternator out so it is inline wiht the rest of the pulleys.

thanks

hh65flyer · 09-20-2008, 06:48 PM

Your crank pulley may have another 'groove' that lines up better. You have probably already looked at that though.

79BlackPearl · 09-20-2008, 09:41 PM

Here is a couple of pics that may help you out. My alternator runs on the third groove, or the one closest to the engine. The power stirring pump belt runs in the goove closest to the radiator.

hookntail · 10-13-2008, 07:35 PM

after nearly a month of screwing around wiht soap and wd40, I decided to tighten the belt. Would you belive me if I said that the squeal is gone... I feel like an idiot but I dont get the looks of "get that piece of crap off the road" anymore

Thanks guys!!!

Steve