[SupaEscape23]

Hello, first post here!
The problem I am having is that when I hit even the smallest puddle, the water coats the belt causing it to slip and squeal. I was wondering if there is something I can put under the vehicle to remedy this problem. The Car already has the original "splash shield" installed. Thank You!

P.S I am sorry if I am in the wrong forum for this question I am just getting used to this site.

 

[dwightbresemann]

Water should not cause the belt to slip. You need a new belt or tensioner, possibly both.

 

[SupaEscape23]

Water should not cause the belt to slip. You need a new belt or tensioner, possibly both.

Both have been replaced with OEM products

 

[dwightbresemann]

Did you have this problem before these parts were replaced, or after? Next would be checking pulley alignment.

 

[SupaEscape23]

I had the noise before the replacement, it only seems to happen when it is raining or the alternator is under a large load.

 

[dwightbresemann]

This is not normal and something is wrong. Who changed the belt and tensioner? A repair shop, or yourself? If the belt keeps slipping, it will fail is short order from heat. A belt should not slip with water hitting it. The belt gets a lot of water when it's raining. Have you checked the belt tension? Does it look like it is running true? Do you hear any bearing noise coming from the alternator or pulley?

 

[Trilogy]

Spray some litium grease in the center bearing of the idler pulley. Ive seen this on new replacements that squeak after exposed to moisture. The grease always seems to stop the squeak.

If this is not the cause and its the belt itself causing the noise you can rub some bar soap on the belt and it will help with the noise and not cause any slip. The soap will not damage the belt in any way.
Good Luck

 

[SupaEscape23]

This is not normal and something is wrong. Who changed the belt and tensioner? A repair shop, or yourself? If the belt keeps slipping, it will fail is short order from heat. A belt should not slip with water hitting it. The belt gets a lot of water when it's raining. Have you checked the belt tension? Does it look like it is running true? Do you hear any bearing noise coming from the alternator or pulley?

Belt and tensioner replaced by shop, the tension seems sufficient and there is no way to increase the tension, appears to be running true, i think i am going to investigate possible ways to expand the splash guard. Thank You!

 

[SupaEscape23]

Spray some litium grease in the center bearing of the idler pulley. Ive seen this on new replacements that squeak after exposed to moisture. The grease always seems to stop the squeak.

If this is not the cause and its the belt itself causing the noise you can rub some bar soap on the belt and it will help with the noise and not cause any slip. The soap will not damage the belt in any way.
Good Luck

The squeak was from belt slippage and not the pulleys bearings. Thank You for the help!

 

[Mountain Escape]

The squeak was from belt slippage and not the pulleys bearings. Thank You for the help!

Old school, try belt dressing
welcome to the city supa, whats your year make and model?
Did you solve the problem?

 

[Trilogy]

The squeak was from belt slippage and not the pulleys bearings. Thank You for the help!

If the bearing on the pulley is tight the pully will try to fight the belt from rolling and can cause it to slip. Ive fixed very same issue by just one shot of grease on the bearing. May not fix your situation but not much to lose. Good luck

 

[LX302]

I had the same issue years ago on a 3.0L in a Taurus, it was the belt tensioner like Dwight suggested.

 

[Mountain Escape]

Belt and tensioner replaced by shop, the tension seems sufficient and there is no way to increase the tension, appears to be running true, i think i am going to investigate possible ways to expand the splash guard. Thank You!

Honestly, if your tensioner is all the way out, and you're still getting belt slippage… You got the wrong serpentine belt, my friend.

 

[dwightbresemann]

Honestly, if your tensioner is all the way out, and you're still getting belt slippage… You got the wrong serpentine belt, my friend.

Good point, wrong belt, slightly longer, would slip.

 

[Mountain Escape]

Good point, wrong belt, slightly longer, would slip.

I'm surprised the shop let it go with the tensioner all the way maxed out…
I guess it wasn't slipping when they started it… lol

 

[dwightbresemann]

Most serpentine belt tensioner have a pointer and min/max markings on the housing. The pointer would be on the pulley arm. As the belt stretched, the pointer would swing towards the max line. If the belt was too tight, the min line.

Also, if the pulley arm jumps back and forth a lot as engine speed changes, the belt is too loose.

 

[dwightbresemann]

Third paragraph.

 

[Mountain Escape]

Belt and tensioner replaced by shop, the tension seems sufficient and there is no way to increase the tension, appears to be running true, i think i am going to investigate possible ways to expand the splash guard. Thank You!

I guess first thing that will be in order, look at the numbers on your serpentine belt, and do a Google search for your year make and model serpentine belt… Make sure the numbers match.

next thing, on the radiator support, there will be a decal showing the correct routing of the serpentine belt… Double check that.

last bit, the numbers on the serpentine belt are correlating to the length of the serpentine belt…
If the idler/tensioner pulley is maxed all the way out, you may have to drop an inch off of the OE length... a good auto parts shop will be able to help with this... it would be odd for the OE not to fit… But it's not the first time

 

[SupaEscape23]

Old school, try belt dressing
welcome to the city supa, whats your year make and model?
Did you solve the problem?

Sorry for the late response, i have a 2004 xlt 3.0, the problem still occurs. it also seems to happen more when it is cold outside (USA Northeastern winters)

 

[SupaEscape23]

I guess first thing that will be in order, look at the numbers on your serpentine belt, and do a Google search for your year make and model serpentine belt… Make sure the numbers match.

next thing, on the radiator support, there will be a decal showing the correct routing of the serpentine belt… Double check that.

last bit, the numbers on the serpentine belt are correlating to the length of the serpentine belt…
If the idler/tensioner pulley is maxed all the way out, you may have to drop an inch off of the OE length... a good auto parts shop will be able to help with this... it would be odd for the OE not to fit… But it's not the first time

Thank you for the pointers, i did not think about grabbing a shorter belt, I will first check to ensure that both parts already installed have the proper part numbers. Thank you!