alienxj

So i finished a bunch of chores on the xj today and thought why not put on some belt conditioner.

It was way too much apparently because it was fine now it squeaks like crazy.

I ran a lot of water over the belt with the engine running and it got better but still squeaks. What do I need to do maybe pressure wash with soap then rinse? Take it off and clean with dish soap? new belt?

thanks

tjwalker

As you have found out, belt conditioner is not designed for serpentine belts. It was designed for V-belts, and even with those, it only took a tiny spray of it to be effective. And probably better without.

You could try cleaning the belt with some sort of solvent and water solution like Dawn liquid detergent maybe and see if that helps. If not, you may end up replacing the belt. But I'd try cleaning it first, and with a brush.

97AT4x4XJ

brake cleaner

F1Addict

Brake cleaner, while expedient, will dry the rubber and could cause premature degradation and failure, I'm with TJ on this one... Dawn dish detergent and a brush. They use that to clean off oiled birds and seals, should work on your belt.

alienxj

Thanks for the input tomorrow I'll take it off and scrub with dish soap as well as cleaning the pulleys.

Bustedback

Did your belt have split ends? Why did you feel the need to spray anything on the belt?

alienxj

No the belt is fine, I guess I was checking things off the list and thought why not do this too. lesson learned definitely.

F1Addict

We all learn through doing. It would probably be fine after a few days of running, washing it off will make it fine faster. Worst case you get a new belt.

alienxj

Yeah I don't know what I'm doing just picking this stuff up as I go.

Radi

That's what we all do. Some just have the benefit of having done it longer.
I once soaked an old V-belt in motor oil, thinking it would soften up the brittle rubber and add a bit more life. That didn't end well, lol. Live and learn.

alienxj

Well I took it off and cleaned it, cleaned all pulleys with brake cleaner and reinstalled. It squealed worse than before.

I noticed the upper idler pulley didn't feel very smooth so I replaced that and installed a new belt, runs great.

tjwalker

Nice resolve. Thanks for posting what you did; many don't.

Those idler pulleys can get noisy with miles as well. And belts are not that expensive so always replace them when in question; which certainly fits your situation.

F1Addict

Thanks for the follow up. Glad you got it resolved. That squeal is embarrassing.