Belt Squeal

Apr 30th, 2003, 01:05 PM

Hello All,
Just took in my 2002 Pathfinder LE to my local dealer for an oil change and to check my belts which squeal terribly on startup after the truck has been sitting awhile. (i assume it is my belts) The dealership charged me $20 to tighten the belts since the warranty on them only lasted to 12000 miles and i was 600 over that. anyway, the belt still squealed the next morning. I washed it on sunday and as i was wiping down the engine compartment i noticed the main belt was very dirty, possibly greasy after the dealer told me they dont put dressing on the belts but instead tighten them and it is common with these belts which have a nylon core to squeal after 13-17000 miles. Took it in again and they kept it overnight, said they couldnt re-create the problem but tightened both belts and i was on my way. Sure enough, this morning the thing squealed like a stuck pig. anybody experiencing a similar problem out there with such low mileage?

Apr 30th, 2003, 01:12 PM

I think you should get an assistant to start the vehicle while you make sure that it's the belt(s) that are indeed making this noise...

CarGuy · Apr 30th, 2003, 03:44 PM

IMHO - to save time and stress, I'd just buy a new set of belts (decent brand) and put them on. Low cost and squeal will be gone. Trying to get a repair shop to duplicate an intermittent problem is a BIG headache

Good Luck

Ag Bullet · Apr 30th, 2003, 03:48 PM

I had incessant belt squeal on my Frontier and they replaced he belts and the idler pulley. I have been squeal free for 3 months now.

Warren · Apr 30th, 2003, 04:53 PM

This may be a bit old school, but when my belts started squealing, i took a bar of bath soap, rubbed the inside surfaces and was squeal free for two years thereafter. The danger of simply tightening up on the belts is premature bearing wear. Far be it from me to accuse any dealership of not worrying about that.

aaronford · Apr 30th, 2003, 08:25 PM

Okay, belt squeal is fairly common among Nissans. Due to design, they tend to be very unforgiving to a semi-worn belt. Dayco Top-Cog and Napa Premium only last for about two years. If you would like to get your money back, park it at the dealership overnight, return the next morning and turn on your A/C, heater blower, and headlights. Then, start it up with the tech standing by, and rev the engine. This should cause enough drain on the alternator to cause your belt to squeal, if it is ever going to. It should produce a howl that will put shivers down a dead mans spine. Get your $20 dollars back and use it to buy a new belt, which you apparently need anyway. If you try Warren's idea, watch your fingers, or typing may become exceedingly difficult. Oh, BTW, if you do not plan to fix this immediately, ensure that there is at least ~1 cm of delection in the longest straight portion of the belt. If there is not, loosen it to prevent bearing damage, cause it kinda sounds like they might blame that on you, too. I love Nissan cars and trucks, but the dealerships are about as crooked as they come. I have dealt with 7 seperate dealerships across 6 states that never failed to blatantly lie, cheat, or misinform me. The 2 honest ones were John Sisson in Washington, PA and MJ's RPM Nissan in Raleigh, NC Aaron Ford

Warren · Apr 30th, 2003, 09:14 PM

Hmmmm, I guess I have been working around rotating machinery for so long I just assumed everybody here knows better than to reach into a running engine. Big mistake on my part. Aaron hit the nail on the head, the real answer is to install brand spanking new $4.00 fan belts. They are well worth the money. Warren

aaronford · May 1st, 2003, 08:36 AM

I work in a power plant and they show the safety videos several times a year of people that you would have thought knew better. I have seen that trick pulled before by my auto/diesel professor with a dab of grease, and yeah, it was running. Never thought of it at the time, but wow, was that stupid. Aaron

currykid3 · May 1st, 2003, 09:19 AM

I know a guy that thought he could reach in to a running concret pumper motor and the belt cut his finger clean off...

May 2nd, 2003, 10:38 AM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I just took it in again yesterday for the third time but to my sales guy first. He said he'd take care of it so i guess they greased the bearings and checked the belts and pulleys and sent me on my way. This morning it squealed again so i guess im back for trip number four. Sales guy said theyd keep it for a couple days until they can find the trouble spot and fix it, in the meantime giving me a loaner. he said he'd "take care of me" for the cost of the first belt tightening. anyways, thanks again.

SLVRPATH · May 2nd, 2003, 05:09 PM

i got the same prob with my 02 path and when i take it to the dealership the say "cannot identify problem" daym they are some assholes man. let me know how it goes with yours and if my prob ever gets solved ill let u kno. daym i hate nissan dealerships!!! but i love their cars

aaronford · May 2nd, 2003, 07:58 PM

The bearings are sealed..... How did they grease them? Just wondering, Aaron

Hey, I forgot, Wharton Nissan in Parkersburg, WV is pretty good, too. This includes both service and sales. Their candidness and honesty kinda surprised me.

SLVRPATH · May 6th, 2003, 11:04 PM

my belt squeal is going less. its there for like 2 or 3 min in the morning but then its done for the day and i havent done n e thing to it. still goin to take it to the dealer tho

himilefrontier · May 7th, 2003, 01:36 AM

My Frontier did that when it had 12k on it too.I tightened the belts myself when I was told it wasn't under warranty anymore.I eventually changed em at 100k,and things got quieter.It's more of an annoyance than anything,if they're not slipping excessively it won't hurt nothing.