What Causes the Squeaking Noise from the Vehicle's Pulley?
3 Answers
The causes of abnormal noise from the pulley can be attributed to the following three points: 1. Aging of the Drive Belt: The drive belt is primarily made of rubber, which tends to harden and become brittle over prolonged use, leading to a decrease in friction coefficient. This affects power transmission, causing slippage and resulting in abnormal noise. 2. Insufficient Belt Tension: When the belt tension is insufficient, the belt is prone to slippage, similar to an aged belt. Belts are automatically adjusted for tightness via a large spring mechanism that presses on the belt. If the belt is too loose, the friction decreases, leading to noise due to slippage. 3. Severe Belt Wear: When the vehicle's belt is severely worn, the contact area between the belt and the pulley significantly reduces. Pressing the belt hard causes it to sink deeply into the pulley's groove, making rotation strenuous and producing abnormal noise.
I've been driving for decades and have seen plenty of cases where the car's pulley squeaks. It's usually caused by a loose belt or wear and aging. The pulley system includes the crankshaft pulley, alternator pulley, etc. When the belt is loose, friction creates high-frequency noise that sounds like a squeak. Environmental factors like humid air can also make the sound more noticeable. I suggest first opening the hood to check the belt's condition. If the surface is cracked or feels loose, it's time for a replacement. Regular maintenance and timely adjustment of belt tension can prevent the problem from worsening. If you're not sure how to handle it yourself, take it to a repair shop immediately. A broken belt can cause the cooling system to fail, which is a much bigger problem. Safety first, after all.
I just bought a new car not long ago, and a few days ago while driving, I heard a squeaking sound from the engine area, which made me a bit nervous. After asking a friend, I learned it might be an issue with the pulley. He said that squeaking from the pulley is often caused by a dirty belt or sand stuck in the pulley, and belt wear can also cause this. I also noticed that the sound is particularly clear when the car is idling, but it doesn’t make noise when accelerating, which might indicate insufficient belt tension. My friend advised me not to rush into long-distance driving and to find a reliable repair shop to check the belt system, including the alignment of the pulley. I tried to take a look myself, but I’m afraid of causing damage, so it’s better to leave it to professionals. Now I realize that regular belt maintenance is important to prevent small issues from turning into major hazards.
