Drive Belt Noise/Flutter

Drive Belt Noise/Flutter
Drive belt chirp occurs due to pulley misalignment or excessive pulley runout. It can be the result of a damaged pulley or an incorrectly aligned pulley.

To correct, determine the area where the noise comes from. Check each of the pulleys in that area with a straightedge to the crankshaft pulley, look for accessory pulleys out of position in the fore/aft direction or at an angle to the straightedge.

Drive belt squeal is an intermittent noise that occurs when the drive belt slips on a pulley during certain conditions, such as: engine start up, rapid engine acceleration, or A/C clutch engagement.

Drive belt squeal can occur under certain conditions:
^ If the A/C discharge pressure goes above specifications:
- the A/C system is overcharged.
- the A/C condenser core airflow is blocked.
^ If the A/C OFF equalized pressure (the common discharged and suction pressure that occurs after several minutes) exceeds specifications.
^ If any of the accessories are damaged, have a worn or damaged bearing, internal torsional resistance above normal. All accessories should be rotatable by hand in the unloaded condition. If not, inspect the accessory.
^ If fluid gets on the drive belt. This includes power steering fluid, engine coolant, engine oil or air conditioning system lubricant. If fluid does get on the drive belt during service, clean the drive belt with soap and water. A new drive belt does not have to be installed if no apparent damage has occurred.
^ The drive belt tensioner arm should rotate freely without binding.
^ If the drive belt is too long. A drive belt that is too long will allow the drive belt tensioner arm to go all the way to the arm travel stop under certain load conditions, which will release tension to the drive belt. If the drive belt tensioner indicator is outside the installation wear range window, install a new drive belt.
^ If the drive belt tensioner is worn or damaged.