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V Drive Belts Information

Diagnosing a V Belt Problem
A loose or worn accessory drive belt can cause intermittent chirping that increases in frequency as the engine rpm increases can be the result of belt vibration caused by misaligned drive pulleys. As a misaligned V belt enters the grooves of a pulley, initial contact is made with only one side of the groove. The greater the misalignment angle, the greater the radial sliding length experienced by the belt ribs as the belt seats in the pulley causing frictional vibrations, or chirping.

Low belt tension, oil contamination and belt vibration are other common sources of Alternator, Power steering or a water pump beltnoise. A screeching or squealing noise that occurs when pulling away from a stop normally indicates a lack of tension, check belt tension and automatic tensioners.A tapping or grinding noise caused by a pebble embedded in the accessory belt is a common occurrence. Grinding sound also can result from damaged tensioner bearings, which must be replaced, aligned and lubricated to eliminate the noise and further damage.Vibration and noise can develop over time as drive components such as pulleys and spring tensioners wear out of tolerance, as bearings and brackets loosen, or as drive belts wear and stretch.

Causes of a Noisy Belt
- Chirp noise caused by drive misalignment occurs upon entry of the span into the pulley as belt ribs seat into the pulley grooves, not as the belt exits.

- Belts are less likely to generate misalignment noise when they are in new condition. As belts wear in, they develop a smooth, glossy surface which increases the likelihood for noise. This wear-in process is accelerated when misalignment conditions exist in the drive.

- The angle between belt span and pulley is the critical factor responsible for causing the chirp associated with misalignment noise. Misalignment angle can result from many different combinations of pulley positions.