sqeaky serp belt on start up.

[Ron41]

Hi all, over the last couple of months I have changed all the serp pulleys and put a new serp belt on as well, it has taken a lot of the sweaking noises out [ the serp belt was rat shit] but only on start up I get a slight sweaky sound for a few minutes but then it goes away, the belt is on properly.
I have taken the belt off and spun each pulley one by one, including the alternator, there is no noise at all comming from them, just got me stumped as to why there is still that slight sweak on start up.
any thoughts anyone ?
thanks

[S2_VR_]

WD-40 is your friend.. i had a noise... then sprayed it... hasnt come back for 2months so far
:thumbs up:

[Ron41]

Thanks for your reply, did you spray the belt itself ? wouldn't that stuff the belt up eventually ?

[JJ's VR]

Try using good old soap, dry. While engine is stoped, run dry soap bar along inside running edge of serp belt as much as you can, you cant overdo it! Then start her up, hey presto! Squeek should disappear. WD may cause belt to slip and create friction? Not sure... Might also be worth while inspecting condition of crankshaft pulley/damper, it has vulcanised rubber holding the two parts together, these deteriorate, crack and can cause vibration and squeeks on start up. Hope this helps!

[Ron41]

Thanks mate, I did put some dry soap on and it helped some but there is still a sweaky sound comming from it, the crankshaft pulley looks ok but the damper thing is above my limited mech' knowledge, have to get a mechanic to check that part out.
Is there any way you can find out exactly were the sweak is comming from ?
appreciate all thoughts
thanks guys.

[hako]

G'Day Ron, only way you're going to locate that squeak is to be right at the front of the engine when it starts....and even then it can be very difficult as getting too close to that belt ain't good for your health!
Check out JJ'svr's suggestion about the harmonic balancer by observing whether it wobbles slightly when idling - it only needs to move 1/8 of an inch to be suspect. If the wobble is bad then it could be the inner surface of the HB rubbing against the timing cover or the CAS which will cause a squeak as will splitting of the rubber. Another possibility is worn brushes in the alternator although if you spun the alternator pulley and heard/felt nothing then they may be OK. Some waterpumps always squeak on startup probably due to the seal design on the pulley shaft.
Regards

[Ron41]

Hi hako & thanks for your suggestions, I just checked it and there is no wobble at all, probably the water pump as you say, i replaced that pump about 12 months ago.
I did notice a fair bit of oil just under that cranksaft pulley, would that be a front oil seal gone and is that a hard job to fix myself ?
thanks for your help.

[hako]

My opinion only but most timing covers seals will weep a bit - all the hassle involved to replace it is only warranted if it's starting to drip on the road. Maybe degrease it and see if it's bad....but my guess is that it's nothing out of the ordinary. VS Commos are just like us - getting older, starting to leak a bit, slow to start and crankier!
Good Luck.

[Ron41]

Thanks hako, your absolutely right about the age thing to
many thanks for the help
regards
Rony

[Changa]

I used silicon spray you get it from supercheap. Its a lubricant but unlike WD40 its non greasy and wont cause slippage, sprayed it on the belt and pulleys all good so far.