Topic: Real bad squeal

[tttppp54]

I went wheelin today and when i got home i gave the jeep a bath. When it came time to clean the engine bay, a squeal started to appear. i let everything dry and the squeal is still there. It is not as loud as before. Does anyone have any sugestions on why the squeal is there? The squeal sounds lik it is coming from the belts if that helps? Thanks for the help.

[SMC4WD]

It may require digging deeper, but I've always found an engine squeal to be the alternator.  Belts may squeal if the bearings in the alternator are going bad.  They like to seize up.

The whine will come and go.

Now this is based on my experiences...   Get out a stethoscope...  listen closer.

[chrisfranklin]

I was having the same type of deal.  Said alternator, water pump, then started looking at a headlight relay.  

Changed the belt and insured tightness, but that didn't seem to take care of the problem.  Especially notice the squeel on cold nights, but again, it is irregular and I have basically just learned to live with it...I mean, nothing has frigging stopped working yet...coolant temp still good, all power items work...headlights back in order... :evil: I just tell people its from my Supercharger  

[Jeffy]

Depending on what kind of Jeep you have, you might jsut need to tighten the belt.  Very easy to do on some models.

[Jesse-James]

You may want to try a small amount of dish soap on the belt, if it quiets down it's the belt. Alot cheaper than belt dressing, I use it all the time on the machines where I work. Don't use too much though.

[tttppp54]

thanks for the suggestions. The first thing I checked was the belts. They were still tight. I have a question concering the soap. Do i just rub a little bit on in a small area and let it work its way around or what? Thanks agian for the help.

[Yellowcritter]

If you want to try the soap solution there are two methods I've used before. I put one squirt of liquid soap in a small spray bottle like from a dollar store and then fill with water and just spray the inside of the belt. Also the bar type hand soap that you get from a hotel works good too, just rub it onto the belt then start the engine to spread it where you can't reach.

I know you stated that the belts were tight, but are they too tight? Check for play also. Also check and make sure that the belt didn't jump a rib on a pulley and is running true. Have seen this happen after washing the engine area, a small pebble can get in a pulley causing it to jump over.

Another thought, did you use a chemical to clean with. Some chemicals leave residue and can take some time to wear off.

[Jesse-James]

I usually just squeeze a couple drops from the bottle while it's running.

[lanulos89]

just start up the jeep and take a can of wd-40 , and spray the belt.  I think its easier than the whole soap method.