Squealing Alternator Belt?

[jcwacky]

Recently obtained a 2001 2.0 S40.

Sometimes when starting from standstill there is an odd squealing noise. When I took it in for the MOT the other week, the garage told me it was just the alternator belt squealing, and that I should just put some WD40 on it. He said the condition of the belt was fine, and it doesn't need replacing.

Just wanted to check if this advise is correct, as I've read online never to put WD40 on a noisy belt.

Any advice appreciated.

[andy_d]

er the belt works on friction grip to the drive wheels
WD40 is to the best of my knowing a lubricant.
cant see putting a lube on something that needs friction/tension to work being a good idea myself.

new belt isnt that much from "rufe", fitting isnt too bad, After checking the wheels on teh alternator/tensioner pully (and aircon if fitted) n generally everything the belt touches and goes around. maybe a sticky wheel or something .

[jcwacky]

Yeh, I didn't think it sounded right!

So you reckon it does need a new belt?

[andy_d]

belt/ tensioner
or a sticking drive wheel on the alternator or other wheel/pump in its run, hard to guess without listening and having a feel of the bits n bobs under there

[jcwacky]

Ok cheers, I'll have a rummage about tomorrow and see if can find anything obvious.

[stevo48]

Hi, are you sure it's coming from the drive belt?
The early V/S40's developed a squealing noise but it more often than not comes from a dry clutch release bearing, take note of when the noise occurs as this will indicate whether it is clutch bearing or belt.
My clutch bearing has been squealing for the last three years and has not been detrimental to the car.

[chb]

Deffo NOT WD40.
Mine had a slight sqeek.
Turned out to be the alternator.
Changed it for £40 so not a big job.

[jcwacky]

I'm not sure, but that's what the garage said it was.

It would make more sense to me that it is something to do with the clutch, as it only happens when I'm starting off and letting the clutch up. It never happens when I change gear while moving though.

Rather than a really high pitched squeal like a fan belt would make, it's more or a vibrating squeal, closer to running a wet finger down a window! Would a recording help?

[960kg]

......my 960 alternator belt use to squeak when running so i replaced it with a new one ....after two weeks it started squeaking again so i squirted WD40 on it and it stopped... WD is so thin that is absorbed almost straight away, the belt wont come off as it is running all in line, it may slip for an instant but it stops the squeak immediately.....i blamed the modern materials as the first one on the car was fine and it was only changed first of all for the service was due on it......now the GDI belt squeaks and it is only 2 months old ......i have been using WD40 to stop the squeaking belts for about 6 years now and cannot see at all what harm it does , so it`s everyone to there own!!!.....

......if you squirt the belt and the noise stops then it`s the belt ...if it doesn`t then you will have to look further....

[upv5]

Your car has a freewheel pulley on the alternator which may be on the way out, new one is £62 from Rufe but you need a special tool. Volvo dealer quoted £178 to replace.
Simple check is to remove auxilliary belt (sketch which way it goes first) and then spin the pulleys and check for play/roughness.
Alternator pulley should drive alternator one way, but freewheel the other, also it must not slide sideways or it will eventually hit the alternator body and make an awfull racket.
Unless you know the history of the belt I recommend you change it if you do change the pulley
Changing pulley is not covered by Haynes but is on Vadis.

John