Squealing FTO

[iwannafto]

Really loud squealing noise coming from the engine on the drivers side when I start the car....especially when its been raining or the weather is cold, seems to be getting progressively worse I think it may be something to do with the alternator belt as I've noticed the needle on the battery gauge jump when the squealing noise starts & stops. Does anyone know what may be causing this/how to fix it

[Muad_dib77]

I have a similar issue... It's like the belt is slipping or something..Only happens in the wet. Is this simply down to a worn belt?

[Myfeckin FTO]

When did you last change the Alt belt and tensioner?

I changed mine about a year back but it still squeels when wet.
Try shaking some talcum powder on the belt and see if it stops - if it does - its likely just a damp belt causing the problem - its really just a winter problem.

[Dean]

Add me to the list, I get it too.

[CJ]

Paul Nolan changed my alt and ps belts recently, he said that the ps belt might sqeal and it did, I went back to him and he tighened it up, it took less than 5 mins. Consider getting your mechanic to do the same next time you pay him a visit.

CJ

[Neil]

Tighten the alternator belt.

Had this with my car and another FTO that I sold. Fixed in 2 mins, not really a big deal.

[Myfeckin FTO]

Tighten the alternator belt.

Had this with my car and another FTO that I sold. Fixed in 2 mins, not really a big deal.

I did this twice and it made no difference - didn't want to overtighten either - Moisture on the belts seems to be the reason why mine squeels - it doesn't squeel when dry.

[mark]

I sprayed a little wd- 40 onto the tensioner when engine is running and it does help for a while.

[Myfeckin FTO]

I sprayed a little wd- 40 onto the tensioner when engine is running and it does help for a while.

not a good idea unfortunately - it will return worse than ever - it just strips the tensioner of any lubricants.

[mark]

hasn't yet and it's been 8 months or so.

[Myfeckin FTO]

hasn't yet and it's been 8 months or so.

My experience of using WD40 on the tensioner wasn't so fortunate.
Have also heard of other owners stripping the tensioner bearings of any useful lubricants and having to change them. WD40 is also harmful to rubber hence not a great idea to have near belts (granted you are just spraying on the tensioner wheel).

I guess its down to what problem you are having with the belts - if its moisture then talcum powder will sort it - if its a sqeeky tensioner then WD40 will stop the squeel for a while. But I'd try the talcum powder first - rather than find you still have a problem after spraying WD40 when it may not be needed.

I'd be very interested to hear how other owners solved this problem as it seems very common. I replaced the belts and have tightened them a couple of times - if you can twist them more than 90degress at the loosest point then its too loose but if its much tighter than that then its too tight - both extremes can cause your belt to make noise - however mine just seems to be a moisture on the belt problem.

[Mustang]

Well I've had this problem too. In general I found that tighening the belt seemed to work. In my case it was firstly the alt belt when I first got the car, then when the cold set in it was the a/c belt. Tightening them seemed to solve the problem.
I've seen the wd40 solution suggested before, I think it was on one of the FTO diy sites. Thing is wd40 is not a lubricant it displaces moisture and to an extent acts as a solvent.
There is a fine kine between oever and undertightening the belts, resist the temptation to keep tightening until the noise goes away, a snapped belt is a much bigger problem!