Started squealing so I changed the belt. A few days later it started squealing again. So I changed the auto tensioner and both idler pulleys and a new belt again. Couple days later the same thing is happening. A quick spray of water on the non-ribbed side of the belt did nothing. A quick shot on the ribs the sound went away for a few seconds. I have a feeling it’s my power steering pump/pulley.

My question is could any of the pulleys be misaligned causing the belt to be good then noisy a couple days later? Should I candle wax the pulley? This sound is KILLING me!

 

Did you use an OEM belt on the change?

 

Hi, sorry you are having that problem. I recently went through the same ordeal, because I was too cheap to buy the OEM Nissan belt the first time. Don't tear anything else apart before you buy an OEM belt. I bought the Gates belt, Dayco belt, maybe even Bando. Replaced the auto-tensioner and upper idler pulley. More or less spent $200 to avoid buying a $40 OEM. I figured a belt is a belt and a Gates is a high quality belt. Well, there is special Nissan magic in the OEM belts. Don't put anything else on the belt you already have or pulleys because you will just be cleaning it off later. Finally, make sure to clean the rib grooves on the pulleys at least a little bit when you put that mystical Nissan belt on. Let us know how it goes.

 

I used a Dayco 2x. That may be my issue possibly. Anyway a pulley could be misaligned? I had my stethoscope on all of them and they didn't sound out of the ordinary. I did notice that the 1st Dayco I replaced ended up getting chewed up on one side causing the belt to shear a rib

 

I went thru a lot of those (Getting them chewed up) until I replaced a recalcitrant Power Steering pump (the first one really shreded the belts) the second has been great since. I also replaced the pulleys and the tensioner and even my Dayco belt is working fine. OEM tends to not squeak as much in the cold though and I do have much better luck with OEM belts.

 

If it’s the pump how much of a ***** was it to do? I know I can do it, but just preparing myself!

 

This is the vid of what it sounds/looks like

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1pB...7-6MgddKD5oOdi

 

It can be...."challenging".... to say the least. Those 4 bolts in the back are a bear sometimes. But with patience comes success.

it wouldn't be so bad if you could pull the pulley itself but nooooo.

Also note, the first replacement I got was "defective" and ate belts as well. The replacement for the replacement was fine albeit a bit noisy. Guess that is what I get for getting re-manufactured parts instead of new.

 

That is pretty much what mine sounded like. I had that problem with the Dayco belt that I tried.

 

The Dayco belt was the culprit. Bought OEM and the squeal never came back!

 

What could be so magical about an OEM belt??

 

Nothing really but it is a bit shorter than the ones "indicated" in most part manuals. I actually had really good luck with the Daycos but the contis and goodyears seem to be a bit longer. So with the auto tension in our 7th gens, the shorter belt gives longer life (between squeals) But as long as your pulleys, tensioner and power steering pump is ok, all work (I put 75,000 on Dayco before the power steering unit decided to "wobble" and eat belts every other day.