serpentine belt

[fordF250]

Just wondering how long serpentine belts last. Mine started to squeak again. Tomorrow I'm going to take the belt off and check the pulleys. Another question would to much belt dressing cause a squeak? Thanks for any input

[fordF250]

Also forgot to add it don't do it all the time. Tonight is the first night for like a month. It only does it when its chilly or rainy

[96F350KID]

Is the top of the belt glazed? Thats normally what causes that when its cold. If thats the case then the tensioner causes that.

[fordF250]

well the smooth pulley faces are a brownish color.i cleaned them up and noticed no loose pullys except the powersteering pulley had a little play. so i put the the belt and stuff back on and before i applied the belt cleaner the belt had no squeak. so I spray the underneath of the belt (vpart) and now the squeak is back. maybe its time for a new belt

[lhsnbsaoa]

the tensioners go bad sometimes, even if it doesnt seem loose.

[fordF250]

well while i watched while i had the engine running. and i could see the part the screw goes thru shaking back and forth but the bolt and stuff was tight.

[lhsnbsaoa]

so that means the pulley might be going bad? if the bolt is tight but the pulley is wobbling. i am a lawn mower mechanic and that means the pulley is bad in my business.

[bucwheat]

Originally Posted by 96F350KID

Is the top of the belt glazed? Thats normally what causes that when its cold. If thats the case then the tensioner causes that.

I agree!

[fordF250]

No the pulley Is not wobbling. Its the base of tensior. I'm just saying its the belt because it acts like the other belt I had when I got antifreeze on it. Sqeaks til you spray it then don't make a noise til it wears off.but the bottle also says don't over use and I'm always good for over doing it

[chevy joe]

belt dressing its the devil. dont ever use it on a serpentine belt. its intended for v-belts and it dont even do a good job at that. that stuff builds up with dirt and such in the bottom of the grooves and causes the belt to not seat properly in them and slip. ive spent hours with a wire brush and brake cleaner trying to get that stuff off. you have to clean every groved pulley and i usually scuff the smooth pulleys with sandpaper. when everything is sparkling clean put a new good belt on and you should be good for a long time. (assuming the tensioner and pulleys are good but it sounds like a belt squeak to me)