Bryce C
DFW
Does this sound like a pulley about to go bad?
Pulleys Squealing?
- Thread starter Bryce C
- Start date
Bryce C
DFW
I bought a mechanics stethoscope for identifying these things a while ago. Never used it. I suppose now would be a good time to try...
Squealing belts are almost eighter loose belts, badly worn belts . But more often than not its caused by misaligned belts. Especially if there is little or no vibration. Check idler pulleys but my moneys on alignment or loose belts
Bryce C
DFW
Got it I'll do that, this is very helpful. Thanks Dwain!
One other thought is contaminated belts. If you have been doing alat of work around them perhaps you got some grease or other products on them
hogjowl
Idiot™
I replace my idler pulley every time I replace my belts. I also pack it with hi temperature grease.
If the belts are misaligned the v
Belts can be straight edged aligned pretty easily. I cut down a 3' metal ruler i got from harbor freight to the various sizes of straight edges i needed for my machine. However if it is the Serpentine belt that needs to be aligned it can .be straight edged buuuuuuttt, i highly highly highly recommend that if thats the case you invest in a laser alignment tool. Serpentine belts have a tolerance of only ½ngroove for every 6" between the closest pulley and the pulley your trying to align v belts on the other hand are alot more forgiving. Lif your interested in a laser alignment tool for v belts. I found and bought one off a hog farm supply for about 30 bucks but it only works on A belts not B belts. If you want it message me and ill get you the information.
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hogjowl
Idiot™
You’ve started talking to yourself again Dwain
I found over the years that if you want to be heard best then to talk to yourself ,im a carpet cleaner and pretty good with a wrench computers not so much
It was pointed out to me that while trying to relay more information to you i actually replied to myself. So if you scroll through the comments youll see what i was saying about belt alignment. Now the information i would like to convey is belt type. If you replace your belts and have smooth v belts change over to cogged belts i screen shot an article explaining the differences. X in gates belt # denotes cogged belt ie: Ax32 is A belt cogged 32" also if not already installed when you change your Serpentine belt upgrade to gates fleet runner belt (green belt) it holds up longer and can transfer more power than standard belts
hogjowl
Idiot™
Jimmy Ladwig (may he rest in peace) told me early on in my direct drive experience to use gates green belts.
Ah, i see nowwhat i was doing wrong when replying. Im Still drooling but im not talking to my self this time.... anyway, googled gates fleet runner vs standard Serpentine belt and got this
Nate The Great
Member
Ladwig passed?
Doug Cox
Supportive Member
Or just use a piece of string
hogjowl
Idiot™
No
He’s just dead on MB
KevinD
Member
Sounds like a bearing gone dry in your idler pulley.
Bryce C
DFW
There isn't an idler pulley on this machine. The drive shaft has 1 pulley in front of the blower that turns the water pump, and another pulley behind the blower that turns the blower. So 2 belts and 4 pulleys in total.
I can't see any wear on the belts. The belt that powers the blower feels really loose compared to the one that powers the water pump. I don't see where these pulleys can be adjusted in or out for alignment, unless the whole blower is moved to do that...
Bryce C
DFW
The belt attached the blower pulley is running off to the left side of the blower pulley. I can't see any wear on the sides of it though. It seems really loose though, at least 3/4" of deflection. Any tips on how one would adjust the alignment and tension on that pulley? I'd rather not unbolt and adjust the whole blower to do that if there is a better way. It doesn't seem like some automotive pulleys that have a threaded shaft that allow the pulley to be pressed in or out...
Bryce C
DFW
If you haven't already maybe download a owners manual also theres a few long youtube videos on maintenance
roro
Member
so who performed the last rites?
hogjowl
Idiot™
Larry or Chavez
Bryce C
DFW
Thanks Dwain. I have read through the manual and it describes how to do an oil change and daily lubrication for the blower, importance of cleaning the filter screen and avoiding foam, and troubleshooting things like low vacuum. But unfortunately nothing about adjusting belt alignment or tension, or anything at all about the belt.
I had watched the Hyrdamaster maintenance videos once before and don't recall seeing anything about that but I will watch them all again. I searched extensively on YouTube and can't find many repair or diagnosis videos on Hydramaster CDS machines either.
I don't know what caused that scratch on the backside of the water pump belt. The aligment and tension of that belt seem much better than the blower belt. But I don't know much. I'll run it this afternoon and see if my stethoscope will tell me which side is louder. Will a squealing belt like that typically just wear a belt our faster, or might it do some greater damage putting stress on other parts?
Bryce C
DFW
The only area where belts are mentioned is routine maintenance checklists where it says the check the water pump belt for wear, and then replace the water pump belt every 300 hours, and to check the blower belt for wear. No how-to's on anything for either of the belts. I sense that they think I know how, or can bring it to someone who does.
I'll do some more searching for video assistance later today, but if I can't find anything I'll just have to go for it and hope I don't make things worse in the process.
I'll do some more searching for video assistance later today, but if I can't find anything I'll just have to go for it and hope I don't make things worse in the process.
