Help - Squeaky Belt

[shinner]

Have a '99 Camry (V6) with a squeaky belt.....seems to only happen when the A/C is on. If it's squeaking and I hit the A/C button, it immediately stops. Does this indicate the compressor is shot (it does seem to blow decent cold air) or would it more likely be the magnetic clutch? Any way to narrow it down?

Might not matter as I'm not sure I could replace either myself...

[chullen]

the belt is cracked change it or use some FIPG and put some on the belt and it should make it go away but that is a cheap fix

[shinner]

Originally Posted by chullen

the belt is cracked change it or use some FIPG and put some on the belt and it should make it go away but that is a cheap fix

cool, hope that's all it is....belt is a piece of cake to change, really. Is this one of those parts that you should replace with Toyota OEM or does a belt from one of the auto parts store work just as well?

[BLUEMEANIE]

You can use any belt so long as its the right size

[shinner]

worth taking the old one off first in order to compare to the replacement?

[Mike Gerber]

Originally Posted by chullen

the belt is cracked change it or use some FIPG and put some on the belt and it should make it go away but that is a cheap fix

Don't use FIPG on a belt. FIPG is a form-a-gasket type of materail that remains pliable after installlaiotn. There a many spray belt antisqueak products available at most auto parts stores that you could try; if you are inclined to go that route. I would first try tightening the belt. If that doesn't help, replace the belt. IMHO.

Mike

[toyomoho]

Auto parts store, get a name brand. Gates, etc. Belt could also be loose, the A/C compressor when on puts an extra load on it.

[shinner]

tried tightening the belt a while back...didn't really make much change.

[chullen]

Originally Posted by Mike Gerber

Don't use FIPG on a belt. FIPG is a form-a-gasket type of materail that remains pliable after installlaiotn. There a many spray belt antisqueak products available at most auto parts stores that you could try; if you are inclined to go that route. I would first try tightening the belt. If that doesn't help, replace the belt. IMHO.

Mike

dude I am tech and use all the time it is not a permenant fix but it helps alot

[Curry]

I had a similar issue and tightening the belt did work but to do it properly you first need to

1. Loosen the alternator bolts and loosen the adjusting bolt about halfway.

2. pull the alternator up till the belt is somewhat snug and the tighten the bolts (not the adjusting bolt) at the same time

3. at this point the belt should be snug if not then you use the adjusting bolt.

Not sure if this method will work for you but it worked on mine and I have a smaller pulley + aftermaket alt. The belt is a normal OEM belt. No difference in size at all.

Good luck.

[marc780]

worth taking the old one off first in order to compare to the replacement?

Not really, because the old one's stretched for sure, and so it's completely useless for sizing to a new belt. (A belt stretches within 20 minutes or less after you run it and its designed to do that anyway.) Your new replacement will most definitely be shorter than the old one. But you can take it along to check belt thickness and width if you wanted to.

A tip from my experience, don't use that belt dressing in a can-stuff except in a dire emergency! This crap has petroleum solvents and other junk and will eat your belt up for sure, after a week or two the belt softens and breaks and you still have to change it anyway, probably at night in a rainstorm or some other worst-possible time.