Cleaning the pulleys
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
Cleaning the pulleys
I've seen a lot of posts about serpentine belt noise (I'm one of them) and the usual advice is to clean the belt and pulleys then check the tension.
Checking the tension is easy, push on the belt and there you go, but cleaning the belt and pulleys? What to use, alcohol, mineral spirits, gasoline, soap and water, hydrochloric acid, plutonium?
What works best here? My first assumption would be to use rubbing alcohol, maybe mineral spirits, but is something harsher required. I'm not too keen on using raw gas in the engine compartment - a little stray spark and kiss engine goodbye. I also don't want to degrade the belts with something harsh either - would rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits harm the belt?
Checking the tension is easy, push on the belt and there you go, but cleaning the belt and pulleys? What to use, alcohol, mineral spirits, gasoline, soap and water, hydrochloric acid, plutonium?
What works best here? My first assumption would be to use rubbing alcohol, maybe mineral spirits, but is something harsher required. I'm not too keen on using raw gas in the engine compartment - a little stray spark and kiss engine goodbye. I also don't want to degrade the belts with something harsh either - would rubbing alcohol or mineral spirits harm the belt?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: central ohio
how much age does the belt have on it? my wife's taurus had a belt howl with only 40,000 miles on it, but the car (and belt) are 10 years old. pullys looked clean. put on a new belt and now all is quiet. just a thought.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Clean the pulleys with brake cleaner. Then rough up the surface of the pulleys a little with some 80-120 grit sandpaper etc. After they have been roughed up a little spray on some more brake cleaner. Avoid spraying the pulley shaft seals. Put on a NEW belt and the noise will go away, -unless it was caused by misalignment which is another problem.
This will take some time to do but it is worth the effort. Shops never take the time to do this when confronted by a noisy belt so they just slap on a new belt which "fixes" the problem for a few weeks... Nobody would pay the shop charges to clean the pulleys, everyone always wants the job done for the lowest buck, -and they get what they pay for.
This will take some time to do but it is worth the effort. Shops never take the time to do this when confronted by a noisy belt so they just slap on a new belt which "fixes" the problem for a few weeks... Nobody would pay the shop charges to clean the pulleys, everyone always wants the job done for the lowest buck, -and they get what they pay for.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
brake cleaner and belts
Won't the brake cleaner degrade the belt life? Brake cleaner pretty much destroys anything that ain't metal, so I'd be worried that residual cleaner from the pulleys on the belt rubber might ruin it.
Trending Topics
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 10,562
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey
Brake cleaner is just solvent so it will evaporate very quickly, you wouldn't want residue on you drums or rotors.
The brake cleaner will remove any oil or grease and the sanding will remove any glazing and give it a little bite.
The brake cleaner will remove any oil or grease and the sanding will remove any glazing and give it a little bite.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 827
Likes: 0
From: Seattle
The aftermath
Now that I've got the tensioner changed out (simple to do really) is there a break in period at which point I'll know that I got all the parts on properly and the belt on straight?
I turned it over, checked the belt alignment while idling, then drove it around the neighborhood, splashing though mud puddles and gunning the engine and idling it and generally working it. Everything seemed just fine and that darned noise finally went away.
But I did notice that the idler pulley was wobbling back and forth slightly while the engine was idling and my alternator pulley was a little squeeky. Is the idler pulley simple to take out and replace - just undo the bolt going through the pulley and swap it out or do I have to fiddle with the mounting on the power steering bracket?
I turned it over, checked the belt alignment while idling, then drove it around the neighborhood, splashing though mud puddles and gunning the engine and idling it and generally working it. Everything seemed just fine and that darned noise finally went away.
But I did notice that the idler pulley was wobbling back and forth slightly while the engine was idling and my alternator pulley was a little squeeky. Is the idler pulley simple to take out and replace - just undo the bolt going through the pulley and swap it out or do I have to fiddle with the mounting on the power steering bracket?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: crete, illinois
i changed the idler, its very easy. the reason its wobbling is because the bolt is bent from stress from the belt pulling on it and it will probably happen again. my alternator pulley seems to be squeeking also.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
gtanns
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
18
Jun 1, 2018 03:56 PM
LCR
Fuel Injection, Carburetion & Fuel System
4
May 25, 2016 12:59 PM
abe
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Apr 3, 2016 12:04 PM
Greywolf
Garage & Workshop
15
Jan 23, 2006 05:29 PM