Tightening the belt on my '88 took care of the squeal. But, it didn't on my wife's '91 . . . . this is a different story . . . that da*&^(*&ed belt has squealed since shortly after I first installed it. I'm pretty sure it's a Gates. When it first started squealing, I thought for sure it was the alternator . . . the shop thought so too, at first. Then they sprayed belt dressing on it and it stopped . . . I bought a can and used it as the squeal would return every day or two . . . . a mechanic told me that stuff is the worst thing I can use on a belt and he spread a dab of vasoline on the back of the belt and it went away for a week . . . . so, I keep dressing it with vasoline every time is starts squealing again (at least once a week). It is properly tightened and the belt is otherwise in perfect condition.
Now, I'm really tired of my wife telling me it's doing it again and I want to cure it!
Two questions: 1) 'any theories or experience with anything that would remove the glaze that must be built-up on the back of the belt and causing this? (a light sanding, acetone, ?, ?, ?) and, 2) are certain belt brands known for this problem?
Thanks! Don
Don