Embarassing belt noise under 35F.

[Popinski]

When it's very cold outside(under 35F), my Elantra's belt makes a horrible noise for 10 seconds and the alternator struggles to make power. For another 5 minutes, it is hard to steer and it makes noise when I make a sharp turn. When the car is warmed up, everything runs smoothly. The alternator and power steering share the same belt. The belt has only 10,000 miles on it and there's no sign of wear or cracks. I tried tightening it and tightening it a little more but it has the same symptoms.

I'm totally confused about the problem. Is there a chemical I can use to get rid of this noise?

 

[GMBoy]

Do not use any chemicals. Belt dressings and such are just temporary tricks to quiet the belt..used car trick, too and they ruin the belt. If you have a tensioner - check that as a weak one will cause your symptoms. Or maybe its a bad/cheap belt - try another.

 

[Drew99GT]

If a belt squeels and slips on the pulleys enough times, it'll glaze over and will no longer grip as good. That could be the issue. How tight are you tightening it? It needs to be good and snug, but not cranked on like a banjo string. Could also be the bearings in either the power steering pump or alternator pulleys going bad and causing friction.

Try taking the belt off, examining it and the pulleys. Might want to try a new belt and clean the pulleys with non-chlorinated brake cleaner.

I dealt with the exact same problem last year with a power steering belt. What fixed the problem was cleaning the pulleys thoroughly and using one of Dayco's new W-profile poly rib belts; they're meant to solve problems on higher mileage vehicles.

 

[Drew99GT]

Originally Posted By: Popinski
For another 5 minutes, it is hard to steer and it makes noise when I make a sharp turn.


That really sounds like a failing power steering pump. Take the belt off and spin the pulley - I bet it's stiff as a rock. Also, check the power steering fluid level and the condition of the fluid. But I bet it's the bearings in the pump pulley.

 

[Kaboomba]

What year and mileage on your Elantra?

How are you "tightening" the drive belt?

When is the last time you flushed or changed the PS fluid?

Do either the PS pump or alternator get hot enough to boil water after a 10 min drive?

 

[The_Eric]

If his Elantra is like ours, there are no automatic tensioners, although ours, the water pump drives the P/S pump- so the water pump belt runs two things and the alternator has it's own belt.

FWIW, my p/s pump squawks the belt on occasion too. This is with less than 10k on Goodyear Gatorbacks. I may try to tighten them a touch more, but I'm reluctant because I personally don't like a tight belt- thinking in terms of bearing life.

 

[mechtech2]

No alt and PS, and noise?
That belt is slipping.

Check the tensioner. Maybe the wrong belt is on there, as well [too long].

 

[Popinski]

Hey guys, I got new belts and the noise is gone.

P.S. The can of CRC Belt dresser did not work.

Thanks for the help guys.