QuestionQUESTION: Roger- I believe the bushings to be good but I am not sure what I can do besides taking the belt off and spinning them myself- there is no resistance when that is done and all seem to move with ease.
I replaced the old belt last Sunday and the new belt didn't start making noise until Thursday, roughly 200+ miles. I made sure to check the belt every time before I started the car during the week and everything appeared good. The belt is undamaged to the eye but is still making the noise. Since Thursday I have not driven the car but I did take the alternator off tonight and plan to have it checked tomorrow even though I doubt there is anything wrong.
The only real thing I have learned in the past week is that when the belt started making the noise it was EXTREMELY hot- for example when the noise was being made I pulled off and I could (although not comfortably) grab the other belts and hold them in my hand for a second or two but the alternator belt I could barely tap with my finger's pad before it would burn me.
The pulleys still look in line, is there some easy way to check that? If my water pump was going out could it cause the fan pulley to spin freely while the car is shut off yet be causing resistance while running or at speed? I am not sure what to do exactly but I refuse to stand still.
I greatly appreciate all or any of your wisdom in this area.
ANSWER: Matt, I meant the rubber bushings that hold up the alternator. Not the brushes inside. I have never seen a water pump freeze up like that. Check the bushing for the adjustment bracket, it may be out of whack and is hitting the pulley. I have seen that before. Roger
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: I replaced the bushings last weekend, thankfully I had a little bit of axle grease. The belt is still under trauma but What I have now discovered is that the belt seems most at risk when the car is first started.
The service light is coming on after ignition and staying lit for about 95 seconds each time no matter how long the car has been running previous or if I give it gas or not. If the belt doesn't make any noise during this period it normally drives fine until being shut off. If it does make noise in the first 95 seconds during the light being illuminated it is sort of a crap shoot at how long it will last or how loud it is.
I didn't notice the service light sooner because it has always been covered (via the dealer who I bought the car from). I am glad I changed the bushings as some of them appeared a little worn and it was also a good experience in my limited auto repair history, plus the car when running seems a bit smoother.
As before I greatly appreciate any and all advice in this situation.
Thanks
AnswerMatt, the service light it no big deal. Its an easy reset. You have 2 versions the one that its on the cluster and you would need a small scredriver to reset it and the other version is feeling behind the cluster for a lever and you push it up. Designed to come on every 5k miles. This one is a very interesting situation and I have given all the suggestions I can without seeing the car. If you just got it from the dealer then I would see if they can help you out with something. Roger
