I recently did some coolant system work on my blazer and my wife's Taurus and unfortunately I got some coolant and some other oils and such on the serpentine belt. So, of course, when I turned the vehicles over I had a squealing that wouldn't go away in the damp cold air we are currently in.

I fixed the squealing and got to thinking of putting my fix for this little hiccup on the forums.

The one think I must stress is: DONT USE ANY DRESSING OR WD-40!

That being said, try not to use any hair spray as well, I speak from experience trying to fix the squealing in the past with my old beat up jimmy.

The best fix I have found that will certainly help if you're sure that the belt is new and you have sufficient tension (and you goofed and oiled the belts by accident with fluids that shouldn't be on there in the first place) is to pour baby powder on it.

I find that the best way to do this is with the engine off and focusing on the ridged pulleys and then turning the engine over for a quick 10 seconds or half a minute. Turn the engine off and repeat until the noise is gone.

The powder will actually give the belt and pulleys more bite and will lessen the squeal and chirping caused by inadvertent fluid spills on the belt. This is safer than WD-40 as that stuff will be very temporary (like 30 minutes temporary) and only serve to dry out the belt over time. Belt dressing is crap no matter how you look at it as that is even less temporary.

So next time you have just a small chirp or a large squeal and you know why, use some baby powder and it should bring a smile to your face. Powdered Ajax or Goldbond works as well.

Also remember that this fix will only serve to cover up the problem if you actually have one. Especially if the noise comes back soon after you apply the powder. A worn belt is a worn belt. Same for pulley's.

 

powdered graphite does the same thing and is intended as a lube.

also, if you haven't put oil on yet and are a complete ***, a candle rubbed on the belt while it's RUNNING is a good way to make your used car SOUND smoother for about 2 weeks (1 if it's hot out) prior to the sale.

 

Isn't that along the same lines as using soap? Seems that idea is based from the same school of thought.

Totally forgot about the soap idea by the way.

 

yeah! LOL! good old dove! cleans your @$$ and covers it while selling a junker!

 

remind me to never buy a vehicle from either of you jokers!

 

when you are paying me $43 for my 88 imark, begger can't be choosers.

 

Well said!

 

talk about extreme mark up! and i can guess how far (short?) away i'd get before it gave me a big ol' FU!!

 

not too far... the fan pully bolt had sheered off, so i stuck it together with JB weld and a hose clamp for good measure....
my guess is right around the time the engine needed to be cooled he got an interesting surprise -->