| Table 1: | Chirping |
| Table 2: | Drive Belt Squeal |
| Table 3: | Drive Belt Whine |
| Table 4: | Drive Belt Rumbling |
| Table 5: | Drive Belt Falls Off |
| Table 6: | Excessive Wear in Either Outside Groove of Drive Belt |
Accesory Drive Belt Noise
Accessory drive belt noise may be described as a thumping noise heard at, or just above idle speed, as a result of belt pilling. In a single-belt accessory drive, belt pilling occurs when small particles of belt material separate from the belt grooves, and form small balls or pills in the belt grooves. While some belt pilling is normal, excessive pilling can cause a thump or knocking as the pills pass over various pulleys. This causes the belt to repeatedly jump off of and slap onto the pulley. The thump or knocking noise easily misdiagnoses as an engine noise. In order to diagnose belt pilling, adhere to the following procedure:
- Remove the drive belt.
- Run the engine for no longer than 30 to 40 seconds, in order to confirm that the engine noise disappears.
- Inspect the power steering pulley for proper alignment.
- Inspect all other pulleys for excess paint, debris or pills on the grooves.
- Clean the pulleys with a wire brush, as necessary.
Definitions
The following are symptomatic noises of the accessory drive belt system:
- Chirping:
- Squeal:
- Whine: A high pitched continuous noise that may be caused by a failed component bearing.
- Faint Cycle Rumbling: A low frequency noise heard once per revolution of the belt.
- Pilling:
| • | A high pitched noise that is usually heard once per revolution of a pulley or a belt. |
| • | It is most common on cold, damp mornings. |
| • | Verify this condition by squirting water onto the belt. The noise will momentarily stop. |
| • | A loud screeching noise that is caused by a slipping belt (this is unusual for a multiple ribbed belt). |
| • | The noise occurs when a heavy load is applied to the belt, such as an air conditioning compressor engagement, snapping the throttle, or slipping on a seized pulley. |
| • | The random accumulation of rubber dust in the bottom of the multi-ribbed belt grooves. |
| • | A small amount of pilling is normal. |
| • | Operation of the drive belt system will not be effected unless the buildup exceeds one third (1/3) of the belt groove depth. |
Multiple ribbed, accessory drive belts wear evenly with their pulleys. Unusual wear indicates a correction is needed. The following diagnostic tables will aid in diagnosing drive belt system problems.
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
DEFINITION: A high pitched noise usually heard once per revolution of a pulley or belt. It is usually heard at idle and is most common on cold damp mornings. Squirting water on a chirping belt will usually cause the noise to momentarily go away. | ||||
1 | Check for misalignment of the pulleys. Are any of the pulleys misaligned? | -- | ||
2 | Replace any misaligned pulleys. Is the chirp still present? | -- | System OK | |
3 | Check for bent or cracked brackets. Are there any bent or cracked brackets? | -- | ||
4 | Replace any bent or cracked brackets. Is the chirp still present? | -- | System OK | |
5 | Check for any loose or missing fasteners. Are there any loose or missing fasteners? | -- | ||
6 | Tighten any loose fasteners and properly install any missing fasteners. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications Fastener Tightening Specifications . Is the chirp still present? | -- | System OK | |
7 | Check for a bent pulley flange. Is the pulley flange bent? | -- | ||
8 | Replace the pulley flange. Is the chirp still present? | -- | System OK | |
9 | Check for severe pilling, exceeding 1/3 of the belt groove depth. Is there severe pilling? | -- | -- | |
10 | Replace the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement Accessory Drive Belt Replacement . Is the chirp still present? | -- | -- | System OK |
Step | Action | Value | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Check for a misaligned pulley. Is there a pulley misaligned? | -- | ||
2 | Check for incorrect belt length, refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement . Is the belt length correct? | -- | ||
3 | Repair or install new parts as necessary. Is the repair complete? | -- | System OK | -- |
4 | Check for a malfunctioning drive belt tensioner, refer to Drive Belt Tensioner Replacement . Is the tensioner malfunctioning? | -- | ||
5 | Check for correct pulley size. Are the pulleys the correct size? | -- | ||
6 | Check for siezed bearings. Is there a siezed bearing? | -- | System OK |
Step | Action | Value | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Check for a worn accessory component bearing. Is a bearing making the noise? | -- | System OK | |
2 | Install new parts as necessary Is the repair complete? | -- | System OK | -- |
Step | Action | Value | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Check for severe pilling. Is there severe pilling of more than 1/3 of the rib depth? | -- | System OK | |
2 | Install a new accessory drive belt. Is the repair complete? | -- | System OK | -- |
Step | Action | Value | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Check for a misaligned or a bent pulley. Are the pulleys misaligned? | -- | ||
2 | Replace any misaligned or bent pulleys. Does the drive belt continue to fall off? | -- | System OK | |
3 | Check for a bent or a cracked bracket. Are any of the brackets bent or cracked? | -- | ||
4 | Replace the damaged brackets. Does the drive belt continue to fall off? | -- | System OK | |
5 | Check for loose or missing fasteners. Are there any loose or missing fasteners? | -- | ||
6 | Replace any missing fasteners and tighten to specifications. Refer to Fastener Tightening Specifications . Does the drive belt continue to fall off? | -- | System OK | |
7 | Check for a misaligned power steering pump pulley. Is the power steering pump pulley misaligned? | -- | ||
8 | Realign or replace the power steering pump pulley. Refer to Power Steering Pump Replacement in Power Steering. Does the drive belt continue to fall off? | -- | System OK | |
9 | Check for a damaged drive belt. Is the drive belt damaged? | -- | ||
10 | Replace the drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement . Does the drive belt continue to fall off? | -- | System OK | |
11 | Check for a malfunctioning drive belt tensioner. Is the drive belt tensioner malfunctioning? | -- | ||
12 | Replace the drive belt tensioner. Does the drive belt continue to fall off? | -- | System OK | |
13 | Check for worn idler or tensioner pulley bearings. Are the idler or tensioner pulley bearings worn? | -- | -- | |
14 | Replace the worn bearings. Does the drive belt continue to fall off? | -- | -- | System OK |
Step | Action | Value(s) | Yes | No |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Check to see if the ribs in the drive belt do not match the grooves in the pulley. Do the ribs in the drive belt match the grooves in the pulley? | -- | -- | |
2 | Replace the accessory drive belt. Refer to Drive Belt Replacement . Is there still excessive wear in either outside groove of the drive belt? | -- | -- | System OK |
