Belt Auction

Is this a total automotive fluke?

We own two vehicles, a 1999 malibu and a 1998 dakota. The belt on the car was replaced about two years ago and has squealed ever since, no matter what we do. We've bought belt dressing, we've used soap, we've replaced the tensioner and we replaced the idler tensioner. Nothing has gotten rid of the squeal. Just recently, my husband's belt started squealing on the truck. The tensioner was wore out, so he replaced that and the squeal is just as bad. All the parts we've bought, we got from a national auto parts chain that is completely not at fault and will not be named. But the parts are Dayco brand. Has anyone else had a bad experience with this brand? Any suggestions for the squealing belts? I mean besides just turning the radio up like I've been doing for 2 years? btw, my husband is a mechanic, a "real mechanic" not a shade tree backyard mechanic. I really want to know if anyone else has had trouble with this brand...

Public Comments

1. ???????????? NOT SURE
2. Did you try tightning just alittle bit more, plus the belt dressing. New belts will stretch, and need a couple of adjustments over the first year
3. You could have the wrong size belt. If the belt is too narrow, or not wide enough, it will cause the squealing noise your describing.
4. 1st of all you never use belt dressing on todays belts-it makes em squeal-there are a lot of reasions for squeal-mine turned out to bad alternator bearings-it could be worn out water pump-pwerstearing belts-worn pulleys-they do wear you know...dont blame the only american company left fir a squeal...try taking it toi a qualified mech,,,often back yard shade tree fix it your self types creat more problems than they solve....im a mech--i spend my day cleaning up others mistakes on trying to save a buck-most of em would have saved more if they have brought it to me the 1st time
5. well most of time reason belt squeals its old and dry or loose an djust cause you just brought it don tmean it hasnt not been at store a year or two belt might be 5yrs old before you got it same thing goes with wiper blades as well belts and many hoses multi fit many cars many times old or dry before you buy them was most likey case ive run a cross this a few times if it squeals an dyou know theres nothing wrong with any pulleys most likey go get another brand of belt might fix problem
6. Sounds like the belts are too long. Better double check the part number. Should never use belt dressing on serpentine belt.
7. Check your crankshaft pulley , if it has rust which is common it can cause belt squealing,when tightening/belt dressing doesn't work.Or try another brand part from a different store.
8. i would recommend using a different belt, i have not seen a dayco belt that dosent squeal. i doubt that your problem has anything to do with the amount of tension on the belt, judging that both of those vehicles have belt tensioners on them that automaticall keep tension on the belt try a goodyear belt
9. On the Dodge check the fan clutch, that's where my squeel was comming from.