Date:         Sat, 9 Mar 2002 09:42:35 -0600
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Was: very loud Screeching noise on very cold days -
              turnsheads - now: te...
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Brian McClure wrote:
>
> Toothpaste works good on glazed belts- the abrasive cuts the glaze, and it
> leaves my engine compartment minty fresh!
> Brian
> 83 Urabus

Now cutting the glaze actually makes sense.

A squealing belt is slipping, for some combination of reasons:

  -too little tension
  -slippery/glazed belt surface
  -too much load (oil in PS pump thick because of very low temp, driver
trying to turn the wheels too far, very low battery making alternator
hard to turn, wrench left in the wrong place, etc.)

Applying a lubricant like grease or wax may stop the noise, but will
very likely increase the slipping.  You can use belt dressing to make
the belt grip better, but the proper belt with the correct tension
should not squeal except for temporary overloads.
  If a belt on my car slips, I would rather hear it than to have it slip
quietly.

Larry A.