squealing belt

Ok, I finally learned how to find the bolt to tighten the AC belt on our 92 SVX, but the belt still squeals like heck when the car is first started. Is it too tight? Does belt dressing work that is sprayed onto the belt? My wife is getting tired of this thing every time she starts the car and has threatend to cut me off if i don't fix it, and we don't want that!

Please help Mr. Happy from going on bread and water!

thanks

Tdog

[Chiketkd]

I would like to know how to tighten up the AC belt. I looked in the How-To Documents and couldn't find anything.

This thread should be in the Technical section btw...

-Chike

Belt dressing works wonderfully! I used to have to give my RX a shot of it every month or so. Excellent product.

[immortal_suby]

Start the car and have her rev it while you stare at the crank pulley - or just rev it with the throttle from under the hood. Watch for the crank pulley to move forward and backward.
The squeal you describe sounds alot like what happens when the harmonic dampener material in the crank pulley begins to separate.

[svx_commuter]

Every time I put a new ps or ac belt in it squeals, even on the 2.2L engine. Then I have to tighten it the next day and maybe a third time. I think it just stretches. I am afraid to make it too tight the first time cause I think it puts too much load on the crank pulley and you know how that comes apart.

I ask everyone in my family to turn everything off before the car is shut off. This takes all the belt loads off the engine when it's started the next time. No one ever remembers to do this So that dosen't help much.

I used to think the Subaru belts were better but I have had them squeal too.

[immortal_suby]

I tighten all flat belts until I can only twist them 1/4 turn with my thumb and finger. Been using that for years, so far no squealing.

[oab_au]

If it only squeals when it is first started, then it is most likley the alt/p.steering belt. The alt charges hard at first to put back into the battery the current it took to start the engine.

Or as Matt says, the harmonic balancer rubber, from the same cause.

Harvey.