What Causes Belt Squealing?
2 Answers
The belt slips on the generator, causing intense friction and vibration between the belt and the pulley, which produces a noise at a certain frequency. Causes: The main reasons for belt slipping are belt looseness or aging. Factors that can lead to belt looseness include improper adjustment of the belt tensioner or insufficient tensioner spring force. Belt Aging: Adjust the tension of the belt tensioner. If this doesn't work, replace the tensioner. Belt aging mainly refers to the belt gradually hardening and losing elasticity over prolonged use, reducing friction with the pulley. In this case, the only solution is to replace the belt. Adjustment: If the belt is too loose, it will slip and squeal. If it's too tight, it increases the resistance of the belt drive and causes premature wear on the bearings of the generator, water pump, and air conditioner. Adjusting the proper tension of the generator belt is crucial.
Having worked in an auto repair shop for many years, I've observed that the primary cause of belt noise is often improper belt tension—either too loose, causing slippage and squealing, or too tight, accelerating wear on the belt and bearings. Belt aging is another common issue; after several years of use, the surface cracks and hardens, increasing friction and resulting in noise during operation. Improper installation or rusted/damaged pulleys can also trigger noise. In some cases, humid weather causes moisture to make the belt slippery and noisy. Having handled numerous such cases, I must warn that delaying repairs may lead to belt breakage, which can dangerously stall the engine. I recommend checking the belt condition every 50,000 kilometers and replacing it promptly to prevent potential hazards.