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Just bought some new fan belts ( for alternator and power steering) and have installed them about 2 weeks ago. The problem is that I get a loud screeching sound when I first start the car for about 30 seconds. Then it goes away. I've tensioned them and checked the tension many times so I know that they aren't slipping.

Will the belts eventually wear in and stop making the screeching?

XplodEd EA

Are you sure they are tensioned properly, they will only screech if they are loose, they shouldnt screech at all. If they are properly tensioned you could get a stick of dry-lube and rub that onto the belts while the motor is running, or if you're really game, get some old garden hose and rub that onto the belts, thats what we do at work to stop noisy belts and it works. Just be carefull if you use garden hose cos that grabs very easily and can get ripped out of ur hand, or if ur really unlucky it'll suck ur hand in aswell and maybe cut off a finger or two, Just be really carefull if you use garden hose

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Ed
Phat Drift Damaged Cobalt Blue 1994 EF XR8 5 spd
Fully optioned - Sunroof, cruise, body kit
Stock as a Rock for the moment

Aussiblue

More likely seized bearings in the idler pulley.

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Regards Blue

Rollin

how are you checking belt tension? i have noticed that the belts need to be very tight to stop squeeling, especially the alternator one, i would wind that one up a little bit more and see

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Kenaz

Another thing is that, the metal thing which turns the belt may be smooth and that is why it's slipping. When I had my new alternator put in the mechanic noticed that it was very shiney and asked if the belt slipped on cold nights.

Obviously it was, so he took it away and machined it so it was rougher and therefore had more grip. I haven't had a problem since.

image

Yeah,your right. I went back and tightened up the fan belts even more this time and they don't screech anymore. They do have to be fairly tight. I never tightened up the belts this much on the XF.