annoying belt problem

[osl]

So my belts are starting to squeal on cold start ups. I replaced my belt and it still does it, only on cold start ups. It's not as bad as it used to be (maybe only for a second or so now) but it's still there. Now here's something I never ran across; when you turn on the AC during this period, it starts to squeal even more, for a minute or so. At high RPM's (like 70mph on the highway), with the AC on, the air temp inside the cabin feels warmer than it does at lower RPM's. What did I do wrong? Is my belt too tight or too loose?

[visualpoet]

Can't tell you without touching the belt. EIther one could make it squeal. There should be between 1/4" and 1/2" inch of give on the longest section of belt between pulleys when you push on it. I like mine to be a little on the tighter side than the looser side.

[osl]

Can't tell you without touching the belt. EIther one could make it squeal. There should be between 1/4" and 1/2" inch of give on the longest section of belt between pulleys when you push on it. I like mine to be a little on the tighter side than the looser side.

I've been told that over-tightening would cause your pulleys to go bad quick.

[visualpoet]

I've been told that over-tightening would cause your pulleys to go bad quick.

I wasn't advising you to overtighten, I was trying to explain that I like mine closer to 1/4" then 1/2" of play. Overtightening is definitely hard on your pulleys.

[speedfr3ak]

i have tried over and over to tighten them get new belts still squeal even when its warm jus a quick squeal i found that belt conditioner helped

[osl]

i have tried over and over to tighten them get new belts still squeal even when its warm jus a quick squeal i found that belt conditioner helped

Belt conditioner didn't do anything for me. I'm going to have to see if tightening it a bit more helps.

[stevediraddo]

remember that there are a few nuts you have to loosen in order to actually tighten the belt, then re-tighten them (and tighten them good!) after, otherwise all of your tightening will pretty much do nothing.

[osl]

remember that there are a few nuts you have to loosen in order to actually tighten the belt, then re-tighten them (and tighten them good!) after, otherwise all of your tightening will pretty much do nothing.

Yeah, there's one on top of alt, one holding the adjusting screw, and the adjusting screw itself.

[Losiracer2]

I would tighten it more. I had this issue back when I first put a new alternator in and it would do the same exact thing, tightened it up and it went away. Make sure you loosen the upper and lower mounting bolts on the alt. though before you tighten, otherwise you'll just tighten the adjuster and nothing will happen.

[osl]

I would tighten it more. I had this issue back when I first put a new alternator in and it would do the same exact thing, tightened it up and it went away. Make sure you loosen the upper and lower mounting bolts on the alt. though before you tighten, otherwise you'll just tighten the adjuster and nothing will happen.

Will give that a try. Thanks

[osl]

UPDATE:

My belt was just a little loose. I tightened it and it doesn't squeal on cold start or when turning on the AC anymore. I didn't realize the belt had to be that tight. Sad thing is I'm going to have to go over it again when installing my high output alternator.