What happens if you over tighten alternator belt?

An over-tightened belt can burn out any bearing that the belt rotates on, including alternator, power steering pump, A/C compressor, idler pulleys, etc. An over-tightened timing belt can ruin any pulley bearing it is connected with.

What damage can be caused by over tightening a belt?

There are two scenarios for improper belt tensioning: too tight and too loose. When a v-belt is too tight: If a belt is too tight in a system, it can add stress to your bearings. The added stress to bearings can result into over amperage of your motor and potential motor failure.

Can you over tighten a tensioner pulley?

A belt shouldn't be over-tightened. Any bearing that the belt rotates on can be burned out by an over-tightened belt. A pulley bearing can be ruined by an over-tightened timing belt.

How do you tighten a loose alternator belt?

As you pry out until the belt is tight, tighten the bolt through the adjusting arm slot. Then tighten the bolt that secures the alternator to the engine's mounting bracket. Having a helper tighten the bolt while you hold tension on the belt makes this part easier.

Why does my new alternator belt squeal?

Belt or Pulley Misalignment

What is this? Belt or pulley misalignment is a common issue that causes changed serpentine belts to still squealing. Misalignment means that the grooves on your belt are not aligned with the ones on your pulley. It also tells that you shift the belt a bit in or out in one of the pulleys.

Tightening Alternator Belt

Why does my alternator belt squeal?

Your engine belts make a screech or squeal noise usually because the rubber belt is slipping on the metal pulley and just like your tires spinning on the road, this causes noise. The belt may be slipping due to improper tension or because it simply has gotten old and the surface has become glazed, cracked or brittle.

What does a loose alternator belt sound like?

Squealing Noise when cold

This is mainly due to a loose alternator belt, which will become more slippery and wet when it is cold and create a high pitch noise when it slips on the alternator. If you have a high pitch noise when you start the car for a few seconds, it is definitely time to check the alternator belt.

How do you fix a noisy alternator?

Can you spray WD40 on an alternator?

No, you cannot spray an alternator with WD40. As I said earlier, WD40 is a fluid cleaning agent. Plus, a nice intentional way to destroy or reduce the lifespan of an alternator is, by spraying a liquid agent in it. When you spray a WD40 on an alternator, it would also find its way into other areas it doesn't fit.

Why does my car make a high-pitched noise when I start it?

Today's cars have strong, durable serpentine belts, and they typically last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles with little required maintenance. Over time, wear and tear can take a toll on the belt and the pulleys, which often results in that high-pitched chirping sounds when you start the car and accelerate.

Why is my car making a high-pitched squealing noise?

High-Pitched Squeal

You may hear this sound while accelerating or right after starting when the engine is cold. A loose or worn fan belt, also known as the serpentine belt, is usually the cause. Replacing this belt or belt pulley should eliminate the sound. Consider having the timing belt checked as well.

How do I know if my serpentine belt is tight enough?

Pinch that point between your index finger and thumb and move it back and forth. The belt should have about a half an inch of play when at the appropriate tightness. If there is less than a half an inch, the belt will need to be loosened, if there is more, it will need to be tightened.

What is proper belt tension?

At center of the span length apply a force F (using a belt tension gauge) perpendicular to the belt span, large enough to deflect the belt 1/64” for each 1“ of belt span, q. So, for a 32” span, the deflection amount would be 32/64” or 1/2”. 3.

Why does my car thump when I accelerating?

Starter motor or transmission mount

If you hear a thump towards the front of your car whenever you accelerate, it's probably a problem with either your starter motor mount or transmission mount. Though small, transmission mounts have a huge impact on performance and the overall quality of your drive.

What does a whining noise when accelerating mean?

If your vehicle makes a whining noise when you are accelerating, a transmission problem is most likely at fault. Whining when accelerating due to transmission problems can be caused by worn-out gears or low transmission fluid due to a leak.

Why is my car whistling while idling?

The most common reason your car is whistling when it idles is a cracked or leaking vacuum hose somewhere. That wouldn't necessarily go away when you start moving though—but it might be harder to hear with the RPMs rising. If there are no other noticeable symptoms, it could be a bad water pump.

What happens if oil gets in your alternator?

A bad alternator seal will cause oil to leak into the alternator and in turn cause all electrical operations to start failing. This is because the oil leaking into the alternator impedes the generation of power for operations such as automated windows, radio, security locks and window wipers.

Can I lubricate my alternator?

It is recommended to have a dedicated grease gun for alternator bearing re-lubrication only. Never mix lubricant types. As per the Installation, Service & Maintenance manuals, it is vital that the grease, grease gun, grease nozzle and relubrication nipple are free from abrasive materials and other contaminants.

Can cleaning an alternator make it work again?

Cleaning the alternators is pretty good to help maximize its performance. Nevertheless, it would be best if you do not pressure wash the alternators. Doing so can cause some serious damage to the seal, which would be bad for the car. You can rinse the alternator with some water but endeavor you let it dry too.

How can I make my whining alternator quieter?

Replace or tighten as necessary, making sure the belt is properly aligned on the pulley. Do check the pulley flanges, as bent pulley flanges are a common cause of belts running out of alignment. Improperly aligned alternator belts will often produce a whining sound.

Can alternator make knocking noise?

The alternator can cause parts of the engine to fail and knock - a broken belt can flap around, and loose bearings can create knocking noises. A wide variety of problems can cause weird noises in your car, but a failing alternator is a likely culprit.