How to Fix a Squealing Belt on a Car

A squealing belt on a car can be much more than just an annoyance, it can be a warning of a belt that is destined to break soon and leaving a cat inoperable. To fix a squealing belt on a car can range from a simple repair that most car owners can perform themselves to a serpentine belt that needs to be replaced by a professional mechanic in most instances. In either case the first step to fix a squealing belt on a car is to determine the location of the belt that is squealing and then assess the root cause. A very basic and common solution for a squealing belt on a car is to rub a bar of soap on the inside of the belt when the car engine is off, serving as a lubricant when the soap melts onto the belt when the engine is turned on and the belt heats.

Most often a squealing belt on a car is due to a belt that is too loose, misaligned or excessively worn. You can determine this by listening to the engine compartment closely while the car is parked with the ignition running. After the squeaking belt has been found, turn off the car's engine and with one finger press on the squeaking belt to determine it's tightness. Normally, a belt on a car should have a maximum of an inch of "give" to it when it is depressed - any more than this and chances are that the squealing is caused by the belt slipping as the flywheels turn. In these cases a squealing belt on a car can be repaired by simply replacing the old belt with a new one. This is also the way to fix a squealing belt on a car that is due to a belt that is worn or frayed.

On occasion a squealing belt on a car is due to a misalignment between the belt itself and the flywheels through which it is threaded. This can occur for any number of reasons but is mostly due to a belt being installed improperly when it was new. In these cases of a squealing belt in a car if the belt is still in good condition it can be removed and reinstalled correctly. The cause of the misalignment may also be the result of a flywheel that has worked it's way out of position. This can be easily remedied by a professional mechanic with a few minor adjustments to fix a squealing belt.

In every instance it is important to fix a squealing belt on a car as soon as it is discovered to keep your car running and your passengers safe. Something as simple as a squealing power steering belt that fails or breaks at the wrong time can have devastating consequences, so it is best to consider a squealing belt as a sign of a larger issue looming in the near future.