I just recently had my alternator replaced, and now once in a while i get this squeaking noise from one of my belts/pulleys. I figured that they probably didnt tighten the belt good enough, but I took the car back, and the guy says its probably because the belt is old and needs to be replaced. My question is, does a worn out belt make a squeaking noise before its about to go out, or is it most likely just a loose belt that they dont want to admit to?

thanks for your time.

 

it could be both. belts do wear out and need to be changed, how many miles?

 

80,000 but i bought the car used at 45000, i dont think the belts were changed before i bought it, so its still on the original belt.

 

Change The Belts Every 75k And Your Fine

 

i think nissan recomends 60K mi. i have 74 on mine and i am on original belts. i am replacing them when i put the UDP on. i cant get the old crank pulley off though. i went to a performance shop and they said it would cast $65/hour and take 3 HOURS. i could do it in 1 if i could get that damn bolt off. they are sqeeking really bad when its humid out.

 

one reason could be that they are slipping (even if the belts are tight enough)
try belt dressing. its a spray for the belts. it conditions the rubber to get better grip and make the belts last longer

 

That's only a temporary fix. Noise will come back.

 

my belts are squealing like a pig also mostly just at start up when its damp outside. quite annoying. are they easy to change?

 

no its not. when i got new belts they were making noise so i sprayed them. that was a year ago and havent had a sound.

it conditions the rubber to get better grip

 

my belt noise always came back as well after spraying. Maybe u have some different stuff, mine just said belt dressing on the can.

 

When belt is old and making noise, belt dressing will only get rid of the noise temporarily. Best way to fix is to replace it.

 

i have 69k and my belts squeal all the time when i drive through water and at start up in the cold. i was told $265 to replace drivebelt, and that they dont need to be tightened because our cars have self tighteners. a while back i saw someone on the forum had nissan coupons for $99 belt change but that was a few months ago...maybe they will do it again.

 

In my experience as a mechanic, belt dressing is very sticky and messy and only lasts a short while. I have never used any on my vehicles and try my best not to use any at work unless it's to check for slipping belts that I plan on replacing if they are worn too much or stretched to the limit.