Belt Dressing Nightmare

[Gasbuggy]

I'm using my brother's 2001 2500HD Silverado at the moment. Right before I got it he changed the thermostat and got a little coolant on the belt. This caused a chirp.

The chirp wasn't going away so I bought a fresh can of belt dressing for the first time ever. It worked for one drive. But what a huge mistake, this sticky crap has led to a belt that is insanely loud/chirpy. Not to mention anywhere there was overspray is practically uncleanable. Rubbing Alcohol will barely take this stuff off.

The serpentine belt is only a few years old. This nothing wrong with the tensioner or any pulleys. I was thinking of holding a brass bristle brush under it at idle.

 

[SpitFire6]

Spray with WD40.

 

[dishdude]

I wouldn't use WD-40. I'd replace the belt and clean the pullies with brake cleaner.

 

[Wolf359]

This is why I would never use belt dressing. Probably could have taken the belt off and cleaned it.

 

[Inspecktor]

I was told belt dressing is ok on v-belts, but never on a serpentine belt.

 

[Rand]

it will say on the can for v-belts dont use on serpentine.

 

[Chris142]

Can't use a dressing on an epdm belt. Any decent belt made in the last 20+ years is epdm.

Why Belt Dressing Is Not a Solution To Quiet a Noisy Belt

If you do decide to use belt dressing, then be prepared to eventually hear the belt noise again.

www.daycoproducts.com

 

[Eddie]

Get a new belt and treat this as a learning lesson. Ed

 

[Rand]

when the belt is off try hosing down the pulleys with simple green (or similar) to clean them.. maybe take a tire brush to them etc.

 

[skyactiv]

Get some chlorinated brake cleaner and spray it down while it's running. DON'T use non-chlorinated brake cleaner as it is flammable and not as good at cleaning. You want CRC Brakeleen part # 05089 from Autozone.

 

[ATex7239]

That’ll learn yah to leave well enough alone

 

[Wolf359]

Get some chlorinated brake cleaner and spray it down while it's running. DON'T use non-chlorinated brake cleaner as it is flammable and not as good at cleaning. You want CRC Brakeleen part # 05089 from Autozone.

Why Autozone? It's $4.99 there and $3.97 at Walmart.....

Robot or human?

https://www.autozone.com/brake-and-power-steering-fluid-additives/brake-cleaner/crc-brakleen-brake-parts-cleaner-19oz/119712_0_0

 

[GMBoy]

Why Autozone? It's $4.99 there and $3.97 at Walmart.....

Robot or human?

https://www.autozone.com/brake-and-power-steering-fluid-additives/brake-cleaner/crc-brakleen-brake-parts-cleaner-19oz/119712_0_0

Everything is more expensive at Autozone. I buy all my oil and additives etc at Walmart. A 5qt jug of Mobil 1 is $25 at walmart vs $44 at Autozone.

 

[GMBoy]

Mirroring what others said - you just don't use belt dressing to hide an issue. Replace the belt and clean the pullies.

 

[Chris142]

Get some chlorinated brake cleaner and spray it down while it's running. DON'T use non-chlorinated brake cleaner as it is flammable and not as good at cleaning. You want CRC Brakeleen part # 05089 from Autozone.

Did you know that we can only buy non chlorinated in California?

 

[Black Thunder]

Sometimes the chirp on a serpentine belt is caused by rust or debris stick in the grooves and sometimes you get away with cleaning grooves out with a wire brush while the vehicle is running but obviously need to be careful

 

[Wolf359]

Did you know that we can only buy non chlorinated in California?

So what happens if you try to buy it online and have it shipped to you? Walmart offers free shipping with a $35 purchase. Looks like a few other vendors mention that it's banned in CA and NJ but it doesn't say so on Walmart's website. You could probably buy it in eBay too, individual sellers probably don't know about the ban.

 

[Chris142]

So what happens if you try to buy it online and have it shipped to you? Walmart offers free shipping with a $35 purchase. Looks like a few other vendors mention that it's banned in CA and NJ but it doesn't say so on Walmart's website. You could probably buy it in eBay too, individual sellers probably don't know about the ban.

Or just pick it up when in AZ or nv

 

[Gasbuggy]

Can't use a dressing on an epdm belt. Any decent belt made in the last 20+ years is epdm.

Why Belt Dressing Is Not a Solution To Quiet a Noisy Belt

If you do decide to use belt dressing, then be prepared to eventually hear the belt noise again.

www.daycoproducts.com

Can says it's safe for use on all types of belts...

 

[Gasbuggy]

Mirroring what others said - you just don't use belt dressing to hide an issue. Replace the belt and clean the pullies.

There was no issue with the belt that required replacement or was being masked. A little dried antifreeze on a belt isn't a problem. I assumed this dressing would be some type of lubricant that would quiet the chirp. Boy was I wrong. I think it's the same stuff they coat the first 60 ft of the drag strip with.