New Serptine Belt Squealing

[aaron21339]

Hi all, I recently purchased a 09 5door with 96,000 miles on it. I had the serpentine belt changed about two weeks ago. The next day it started squealing when I started the car, and when I first start driving for a minute. I've tried turning off the air conditioning like i read about but it didn't help any (the battery is a year old).
I took it back to the mechanic a week ago. He said he looked at it, there was no problem with anything, it's just new and it might take a month to stop squealing.
It hasn't been a month but the belt is still just as bad sounding, what would you guys suggest doing?
Thank you!

[WeeYari]

Increase the tension. All belts stretch and are often in need of re-tensioning shortly after install.


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[contraband831]

^yup just increase the tension by adjusting the alternator position.

[Maddiesyardstick]

My 2012 does this every so often. A/C tends to make it louder in my car but it's a simple fix. It just needs to be tightened.

[jcboy]

Agree with all. Manual says inspect every 20,000km.
And thanks YW (and those who posted on another topic) i changed mine after 80,000km even if it looked fine. ( some mini cracks on the grooves but generally fine)

Saved a few bucks by using yarisworld, a 3/8" drive ratchet (1/2" ones have too long sockets) and a pipe.

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[aaron21339]

Thanks for the replies guys, could you guys dumb down how to tighten the belt? I've found a few things buy am pretty amateur when it comes to under the hood.. thanks

[rningonfumes]

The alternator is attached at two points... bolts.

1. Loosen only the top bolt.
2. Using a permanent marker just draw a straight line across that top . This is just for reference.
3. Using a long pry bar...or something long that will give you some leverage, you would just barely move the alternator towards you.
4. Tighten and go start the car.


The squeeks and initial squelch should be gone. If not, go back through the steps to tighten the belt some more.


This is important: You are gradually tightening the belt because the water pump has bearings that could get messed up. You can mess them up if you over tighten. You don't want to turn a 30 dollar job (if replacing the belt) into a 200 dollar job (replacing the waterpump).

Here's a video:

It's for a 06 Scion XB....pretty much same engine. He did an optional step of adding temporary bolt, watch the full video if you want to do that. Otherwise just try to find a decent spot to put in the pry bar for good leverage.

https://youtu.be/E8MLQlK4Q0o?t=113

[NYC-SE]

Be careful when doing this that you do not damage the Oil Control Valve for the VVTi system. Be aware of what you are using for a pivot when you use the pry bar

[WeeYari]

Be careful when doing this that you do not damage the Oil Control Valve for the VVTi system. Be aware of what you are using for a pivot when you use the pry bar

For the OP's reference, here is the Oil Control Valve being mentioned. It is tucked in behind the alternator and several people have broken it by using that general location as a pry bar point for shifting the alternator forward. Come at the alternator from the side with a pry bar, not the top.

http://www.yarisworld.com/forums/showpost.php?p=727156&postcount=1

[aaron21339]

Thank you so much guys, tightened it this morning it seems to have gone away. You guys were able to figure it out and when I took it back to my mechanic they couldn't, so thank you!

[NEexpat]

Just my 2 cents.

If you are unsure about doing this you can do more harm than good.

Take it back to where that belt was replaced and ask them to tighten a bit.

Cheers, and welcome to the forum.

[NEexpat]

Lol, well disregard my post.