belt squeal

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
georgeramos
Posts: 1359
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:11 am
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider 1608

Re: belt squeal

Postby georgeramos » Sun Jul 09, 2017 11:42 am

So i thought maybe my water pump was starting to fail becaise the squealing became worse so i swapped it out.

Nope.

Still squealing. How could wiring cause this issue as Chris G suggested?

I am going to try a new belt today.

georgeramos
Posts: 1359
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:11 am
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider 1608

Re: belt squeal

Postby georgeramos » Sun Jul 09, 2017 5:10 pm

I noticed that the alternator pulley squeaks when you spin it by hand, is that typical?

klweimer
Posts: 550
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 7:45 am
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Arvada, Colorado

Re: belt squeal

Postby klweimer » Mon Jul 10, 2017 8:06 am

georgeramos,
You mean it squeaks when there is no belt on it, and you spin it by hand? Time for a new alternator, or at least a rebuild.
Kirk

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chrisg
Posts: 746
Joined: Sun Jun 04, 2006 7:30 am
Your car is a: 1971 FIAT

Re: belt squeal

Postby chrisg » Mon Jul 10, 2017 10:18 am

George, I meant some wiring draw that is causing the alternator to be overworked...well, i guess that's what I meant. Hell, I've slept since then....Hope you figure out what it is. I still have an off-idle chirp on the same alternator on my '71 unless I'm driving it regularly.
Chris Granju
Knoxville, TN
'71 FIAT 124BS (pretty), '72 FIAT 124BC,'76 FIAT 128 Wagon(ratbeast), '85 Bertone X 1/9, '70 124BC (project), 79 X1/9 (hot rod in rehab), '73 124BS (2L, mean), '74 124 Special TC, '73 124CS, '73 124 Familiare

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seabeelt
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Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:22 pm
Your car is a: Fiat Spider - 1971 BS1
Location: Tiverton, RI

Re: belt squeal

Postby seabeelt » Mon Jul 10, 2017 12:22 pm

I have had the same issue with my 95 amp upgrade I have changed the belt a couple of times. Checked the alignment of the pulleys with a straight edge and so forth. Belt is tight, just seems to be a characteristic like chris said. If I use it pretty regular, no issue. If it sets, or if there is a heavy load when starting up ( like leaving the headlight switch in the on position) It will squeal a bit but then quiets down. Definitely has to be 1/4 inch or less of belt play. It just doesn't like a heavy initial load with the quick revving engine. Otherwise runs like a champ. heater fan, engine fan, headlights, fog lights, wipers and heated seats all at once, no complaints :) I do keep a small ratchet with a 13mm socket in the tool box just in case :mrgreen:
Michael and Deborah Williamson
1971 Spider -Tropie’ - w screaming IDFs
1971 Spider - Vesper -scrapped
1979 Spider - Seraphina - our son's car now sold
1972 Spider - Tortellini- our son's current

georgeramos
Posts: 1359
Joined: Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:11 am
Your car is a: 1971 124 Spider 1608

Re: belt squeal

Postby georgeramos » Tue Jul 11, 2017 11:39 pm

There is a noticeable whine from the alternator now so i an gonna exchange it, still under warrantee.

I sanded the belt seat of the pulley with 80 grit pretty aggressively and it seemed to stop the squeal a bit. There is still a chirp on startup and I haven't driven too much since then so we'll see. The pulleys on the 95amps are really smooth so I will sand the new one before dropping it in...

Thanks all!

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RRoller123
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Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: belt squeal

Postby RRoller123 » Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:53 am

I wonder if a treatment with "belt dressing" that we see at the various auto parts stores might help?
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
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2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
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