Loud squealing noise after changing alternator & drive belt on 1995 Maxima
#1
Loud squealing noise after changing alternator & drive belt on 1995 Maxima
I decided to change the alternator after my car died while I was making a left turn. During the procedure, I noticed my drive belt was cracked so I bought a new one and put it on as well. After I was done, I took it for a test run and I heard a very very loud shrill squealing noise as I accelerated. I decided to tighten the drive belt tensioner some more but the noise still follows after another test run. I followed the instructions on motorvate.ca and for the drive belt, the site said that the belt should defect around 3.8-4.1mm. Wasn't quite sure what that meant so I just tightened the belt tensioner all the way. Could that have anything to do with it?
Currently, I really have no clue what to do. Is it possible the noise could be coming from the manufacturer's label attached to the new drive belt? I'd appreciate ANY help. Thanks!
Currently, I really have no clue what to do. Is it possible the noise could be coming from the manufacturer's label attached to the new drive belt? I'd appreciate ANY help. Thanks!
#2
Re: Loud squealing noise after changing alternator & drive belt on 1995 Maxima
Originally posted by dafatha00
I decided to change the alternator after my car died while I was making a left turn. During the procedure, I noticed my drive belt was cracked so I bought a new one and put it on as well. After I was done, I took it for a test run and I heard a very very loud shrill squealing noise as I accelerated. I decided to tighten the drive belt tensioner some more but the noise still follows after another test run. I followed the instructions on motorvate.ca and for the drive belt, the site said that the belt should defect around 3.8-4.1mm. Wasn't quite sure what that meant so I just tightened the belt tensioner all the way. Could that have anything to do with it?
Currently, I really have no clue what to do. Is it possible the noise could be coming from the manufacturer's label attached to the new drive belt? I'd appreciate ANY help. Thanks!
I decided to change the alternator after my car died while I was making a left turn. During the procedure, I noticed my drive belt was cracked so I bought a new one and put it on as well. After I was done, I took it for a test run and I heard a very very loud shrill squealing noise as I accelerated. I decided to tighten the drive belt tensioner some more but the noise still follows after another test run. I followed the instructions on motorvate.ca and for the drive belt, the site said that the belt should defect around 3.8-4.1mm. Wasn't quite sure what that meant so I just tightened the belt tensioner all the way. Could that have anything to do with it?
Currently, I really have no clue what to do. Is it possible the noise could be coming from the manufacturer's label attached to the new drive belt? I'd appreciate ANY help. Thanks!
#3
Re: Re: Loud squealing noise after changing alternator & drive belt on 1995 Maxima
Originally posted by Stephen Max
It's definitely a loose belt. Keep tightening until it stops. But are you loosening the pulley bolt before adjusting the tension?
It's definitely a loose belt. Keep tightening until it stops. But are you loosening the pulley bolt before adjusting the tension?
#4
Yes, you need to loosen the nut on the pulley, and then adjust the tensioner. Tighten pulley nut when adjusted. Easiest way I found to adjust the belt is to tighten it to just past the point it doesn't squeal. This prevents having it too tight, and is easier than trying to figure how many mm's of deflection you have.
Dave
Dave
#5
Originally posted by Dave Holmes
Yes, you need to loosen the nut on the pulley, and then adjust the tensioner. Tighten pulley nut when adjusted. Easiest way I found to adjust the belt is to tighten it to just past the point it doesn't squeal. This prevents having it too tight, and is easier than trying to figure how many mm's of deflection you have.
Dave
Yes, you need to loosen the nut on the pulley, and then adjust the tensioner. Tighten pulley nut when adjusted. Easiest way I found to adjust the belt is to tighten it to just past the point it doesn't squeal. This prevents having it too tight, and is easier than trying to figure how many mm's of deflection you have.
Dave
One question though. It is possible that I might have tightened the tensioner too much and that could be causing the noise? Even though the pulley nut was already tightened, I was able to tighten the tensioner a good ways even after the squeal.
#7
Exactly what SXN said. Too tight, and you'll hear the engine bog. If the pulley nut is tight, the tensioner can't move the pulley to adjust belt tension. However, someone on here has snapped their tensioner by tightening too much with the pulley nut already tight. The FSM has the torque spec for the tensioner after you adjust the belt, somewhere around 10-14 lb/ft if I remember right (keep in mind this is AFTER you adjust belt tension and tighten pulley nut). Someone else may have their FSM handy with specs (I think on page MA-10 or so from when I changed belts).
Dave
Dave
#12
I love each and everyone one of you. I don't even need to post something new because all you have great advice for the newbies and for all my car's issues! I'll keep tightening until mine doesn't squeal....(it's so embarassing in my congested neighborhood. Some guy poked his head out of his window and said "hey lady check under your hood, you got a screwed up belt" even though my hood was already up and I was inspecting, what an idiot) ....anyways thanks for the advice everyone!!
#13
If I remember right, you don't actually loosen the pulley idler bolt. There is another bolt by the tensioner bolt that you have to loosen in order for the tensioner bolt to have any effect. I could be wrong but I know I definately did not loosen my actual pulley to adjust mine.
#15
If I remember right, you don't actually loosen the pulley idler bolt. There is another bolt by the tensioner bolt that you have to loosen in order for the tensioner bolt to have any effect. I could be wrong but I know I definately did not loosen my actual pulley to adjust mine.
For the ACC belt you will loosen (not remove) the pulley nut first and then use the adjustment bolt to change tension. The pulley nut only keeps the pulley at whatever vertical position it is in when tightened. Tightening or loosening with the nut still tight will strip the adjustment bolt.
*edit* You MAY be thinking of the PS which has several bolts that pivot off one another.
Last edited by Fr33way™; 11-15-2007 at 07:04 AM.
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