Squeeling Belt

West · 20 Dec 2006 at 13:56

Hey Guys..

Just that my car squeels like a pig in a morning and when its cold, untill it gets warm or I rev it past 2.5..

Now when I had the MOT done, he said I should get the belt tightened, or if something called the tensioner had gone, I would have to get it replaced, how much would it cost me if it were the tensioner that went?

Once I get paid at the end of Jan im gonna take it to a garage to get it checked, I just wanted a rough idea of prices...

Badgerpoo · 20 Dec 2006 at 14:02

Ive got the same problem! But mine doesnt really squeel too loudly. I was under the impression that it meant worn belts but havnt had the time to check mine out yet. I imagine tensioners would be around an hours labour for a garage, so not too expensive.

FishThrower · 20 Dec 2006 at 14:56

I dont know a lot about cars,

but isnt that the fanbelt? it takes seconds to tighten up, no spare parts are usually needed, 9/10 that is the case

moss · 20 Dec 2006 at 15:01

It'll be the fan (alternator) belt, might just need tentioned up or replaced if its gone, they cost less than £10 for new one and fitting is usually easy enough.

MNuTz · 20 Dec 2006 at 15:03

heres an old trick my dad taught me, cover the fan belt in fairy liquid. It stops the screaming but obviously doesnt fix the problem so you will still need to get it sorted.

Chances are it needs just a new fan belt.

moss · 20 Dec 2006 at 15:03

West said:
...how much would it cost me if it were the tensioner that went?

Tensioners can be fairly pricey, especially from dealerships, some are quite simple but others are more complex and costly. Motorfactors should be able to get a tensioner cheaper than dealerships though.

R5GTT · 20 Dec 2006 at 15:14

Depending on the car, say for example an old car where the fanbelt does only drive the waterpump and alternator I would be tempted to take it off and inspect it, some belts are solid rubber but if its a toothed belt you might have little splits in between the teeth. By just tightening it up you might risk causing it to be thrown off or even snap. Also If you can take it off to have a look I'd recommend wiping the pulleys with some form of degreaser for example lighter fluid on a rag, also do this if you are fitting a new belt.

West · 20 Dec 2006 at 15:26

Its a newish car, it had a refurbed Engine about 2k ago as my mum managed to screw the the Cambelt..

thepharcyde · 20 Dec 2006 at 15:38

had mine replaced on the mini £60 for the belt fitted at a dealership

cruisinbeatz · 20 Dec 2006 at 15:52

Fan belt, really easy and 2 tooks are needed, 1 tool (spanner/socket)loses the nut on the altinator, the other is a small crow bar or seomthing like a pole to prize the altinator back until the belt is tight, then tighten the nut again, squeeling solved.