Belt squeal (assuming its the alternator belt) help!

[friendco]

Hello,

I have an 03 protege dx. It has squealed occasionally on startup since I bought it two summers ago. This happens more often when it is humid/raining. Usually I rev the engine in neutral to make the squeal stop (which makes it louder at first and then it catches). Recently I was driving in this crazy snow storm we got in jerzey and the belt kept squealing while driving, so I had to keep turning the heater fan off to make it stop. I also noticed my stereo might be affecting it. I had this belt replaced since I got the car, same squeal occurs. Do I need to have the tension adjusted? Is it something I could do myself? Thanks, sorry if there is already a post about this I couldn't find one...

Col

[DuRWooD]

Generally a belt will stretch, and have to be re-tensioned after a little while. However, if you've been squealing your belt that long, likely you've glazed a pulley. I'd take the belt off and see if any of the pulleys are shiny. If it is, take a scoring pad to the surface to take the glaze off. The belt will likely be glazed too, so get a new one and tension it twice.

[friendco]

ooh ok that makes sense, Thanks a lot! What could be used as a scoring pad, or where should I look for one?

[DuRWooD]

A scouring pad, like the little green things attached to sponges, that you can't clean teflon pans with. They make beefier ones specifically for sanding, but a quality dish one might work too. You could also use some ~220 grit emery cloth.

[Turpro]

Replace the belt.

[99es]

Take a look at the alternator pulley when the belt is squealing to see if it is rotating. I had a problem with the alternator jamming from rust particles caught between the armature and the stator in my daughter's Protege that caused the squealing, and it would happen more often in wet weather. Tried taking it apart to clean it up, but ultimately had to replace it.