Wear and glazing
An old belt can become glazed, cracked, or contaminated, which causes it to slip and squeal. A visual inspection shows the belt's condition.
A weak tensioner
The belt tensioner keeps the belt at the right tension. A worn tensioner lets the belt slip, especially under load. Replacing the belt without the tensioner can leave the squeal.
Load on the system
A seized or dragging accessory — like the alternator or A/C compressor — can overload the belt and cause noise. We inspect the belt, tensioner, and accessories to find the cause.
Want us to take a look?
These articles are general guidance — not a diagnosis of your car. Bring it to Happy Cars at 12935 W Colonial Dr, Winter Garden, FL 34787 and we'll inspect before we recommend any repair.