Squealing Belt on 454

stopngo · June 28, 2015, 02:22 PM

I am surprised that doing a search on this topic does not turn up anything. It is a known and common problem on the 454 . No amount of googling has found a solution or explanation.

The lack of search results here must mean that either you have a solution on this forum or have never heard of it.

It always happens after a fully warmed engine is shut off and then re started 10 minutes later. Tightening the belt is only a temporary fix.

Help Help Help.

Coastal11 · June 28, 2015, 03:03 PM

Once a belt has been squealing a few times it hardens the rubber then no matter how much you try to tighten it will still squeal only way to stop it is to replace with new ones, as they will burn out and break on you and cost more for damage that could be done.

Cliff

stopngo · June 28, 2015, 03:45 PM

Thank you so much. Makes sense. Will replace ASAP.

Great Site this is

PS: What is it that causes the initial squealing?? Could it be heat build up under the Dog House after shut down causing softening and stretching of the belt ??

Have never had a vehicle that would do this. Hmmmm

Rickf1985 · June 28, 2015, 04:56 PM

You could have one of two problems or both. Either the belts are not being tightened to spec to start and then checked a day or so later or, and this is most likely, the pulley on the alternator is worn and that is causing the belt not to grip and glazing the belt right away. When you first start the engine the alternator is putting out it's maximum charge since the starter draws a lot out of the battery.

stopngo · June 28, 2015, 06:08 PM

Thanks. Will certainly re check the tension after installing new one. Alternator has less than 5 K on it but who knows anything can happen.

Rickf1985 · June 28, 2015, 08:10 PM

If it was a rebuilt alternator it probably had some wear on the pulley already, or the pulley could have been badly worn. They do not check the pulleys, just the alternator. That is why I will not use a rebuilt alternator anymore unless I am the one that rebuilt it. Even if it was a new pulley it does not take too long with a chronically slipping belt to wear it out.

stopngo · June 28, 2015, 11:56 PM

Just took the belt off. Its a miracle I made it home from our recent trip. Compared to the new one it had lost 30% of its width and depth. No wonder it was squealing.
Will check Alternator Pulley.

stopngo · November 06, 2015, 05:10 PM

Quote from: Rickf1985 on June 28, 2015, 08:10 PM
If it was a rebuilt alternator it probably had some wear on the pulley already, or the pulley could have been badly worn. They do not check the pulleys, just the alternator. That is why I will not use a rebuilt alternator anymore unless I am the one that rebuilt it. Even if it was a new pulley it does not take too long with a chronically slipping belt to wear it out.

Must be the Alternator pulley. Brand new belt installed sitting on the driveway since August 2015......No Road usage whatsoever. Only a few startups on the driveway. First 10 minutes on the Road squeal is back with a vengeance.

legomybago · November 06, 2015, 06:16 PM

You have more that one belt on that rig don't ya? If your alt belt was as bad as you say, CHANGE THE REST OF THEM!! hahahaa

M & J · November 06, 2015, 06:37 PM

No one has suggested pulley alignment yet. Misaligned pulleys in the belt path can cause premature wear.

stopngo · November 06, 2015, 06:54 PM

Quote from: legomybago on November 06, 2015, 06:16 PM
You have more that one belt on that rig don't ya? If your alt belt was as bad as you say, CHANGE THE REST OF THEM!! hahahaa

I disagree.......The alternator belt lasts about a week.That is not normal. I hardly think Im gonna replace the others on a weekly basis

stopngo · November 06, 2015, 06:55 PM

Quote from: M & J on November 06, 2015, 06:37 PM
No one has suggested pully alignment yet. Misaligned pullies in the belt path can cause premature wear.

You may well be getting warm.

tiinytina · November 07, 2015, 10:05 AM

initial squealing is usually due to a loose belt or wet belt. That you are wearing it out so fast does suggest one of your pulley's is bad and not turning freely.

stopngo · November 07, 2015, 11:05 AM

Yup..........It must be. So I assume that I am in the minority with this problem and for the most part nobody on here seems to have this problem?

kenwautoone · November 07, 2015, 11:56 AM

Have had this problem on my 1987 suburban 454.it turned out to be air ( smog ) pump bearing was bad.let sub warm up and removed all belts, could hardly spin air pump.I let everything cool off,pump pulley sun easily.

stopngo · November 07, 2015, 02:51 PM

Quote from: kenwautoone on November 07, 2015, 11:56 AM
Have had this problem on my 1987 suburban 454.it turned out to be air ( smog ) pump bearing was bad.let sub warm up and removed all belts, could hardly spin air pump.I let everything cool off,pump pulley sun easily.

My air pump is long gone but maybe its the Alternator pulley. Ohh wait.....just remembered......Does it from cold start up as well lately

DaveVA78Chieftain · November 07, 2015, 05:41 PM

I would start by checking belt alignment and pulley condition. Great description of how to do this on pdf page 216 in the '79-'94 Chevy/GMC P-30 Chassis Service and Maintenance Manual downloadable from the members area.

stopngo · November 07, 2015, 06:01 PM

Will do Thanks

circleD · November 07, 2015, 07:54 PM

Mine squeals when its cold. As it warms up they stop. That's how I know the motor is warmed up.

stopngo · November 07, 2015, 07:59 PM

A Comedian

cncsparky · November 07, 2015, 09:28 PM

Quote from: stopngo on November 07, 2015, 11:05 AM
Yup..........It must be. So I assume that I am in the minority with this problem and for the most part nobody on here seems to have this problem?

Not sure when GM changed, but my 87 chassis has the wide, ribbed serpentine style belt. Seems this type gets better grip on the pulley and doesn't squeal nearly as much.

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php/topic,9139.msg48344.html#msg48344

stopngo · November 07, 2015, 10:40 PM

Quote from: cncsparky on November 07, 2015, 09:28 PM
Not sure when GM changed, but my 87 chassis has the wide, ribbed serpentine style belt. Seems this type gets better grip on the pulley and doesn't squeal nearly as much.

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php/topic,9139.msg48344.html#msg48344

Thank you. Will check that out. The link to the post you supplied I think refers to the crank water pump ps belt. I am having trouble with the Alternator Belt.

Do you have a number for your wide ribbed Alternator belt??

cncsparky · November 08, 2015, 01:21 PM

If you scroll down to post #42 is where I posted my part numbers. Other belts are in that same thread elsewhere.

legomybago · November 09, 2015, 11:28 AM

Quote from: stopngo on November 07, 2015, 11:05 AM

Yup..........It must be. So I assume that I am in the minority with this problem and for the most part nobody on here seems to have this problem?

This can be caused by 10 different issues? I'm sure with the advise posted on this thread that you started, you found your problem this weekend...

legomybago · November 09, 2015, 11:33 AM

Quote from: cncsparky on November 07, 2015, 09:28 PM
Not sure when GM changed, but my 87 chassis has the wide, ribbed serpentine style belt. Seems this type gets better grip on the pulley and doesn't squeal nearly as much.

http://www.classicwinnebagos.com/forum/index.php/topic,9139.msg48344.html#msg48344

My 1985 chassis also has a serpentine alt/fan/air pump belt. Regular v-belt for the power steering and AC. Total of 3 belts