Squeaking Belt after engine wash

Hey World,

So after a few rides out on trails and hitting mud the engine gets filthy. I usually give it a good wash every once in a while. Only issue I have with it is once I rinse it out my belt starts to squeal like no other. Usual sound when you got a bad belt. I know last time I did it after driving it for a bit on the way to dealership to get it checked out it just vanished.

Anyone else with this issue when they rinse their engines?

 

Belt is slipping after getting wet. Not unexpected. As long as it stops once it is dried out, I would not worry about it.

 

yeah the first time it took almost 3 days before it finally stopped I was just hoping there was a faster way or better way avoiding besides of course not rinsing haha

Guy at the dealership just said could be loose sediment inside pulley and it either dried up or it slowly flew off haha

 

Did you spray down the engine with any degreaser? Some can leave oily residues, I've never had any squeal after cleaning my engine with Formula 88 or 303.

 

I didn’t spray down with degreaser yet. I used just water for rinsing off whatever I can get. It started squealing before I even used Purple Power degreaser.

I ran the engine for a while even went driving around for a while still got it. I know it’ll probably go away soon, but it’s just an annoying sound haha

in idle you won’t hear it, but once it goes past 1,000 rpm yeah she squeals

 

Purple Power is one of the greasy ones in my experience, it can also leave spots on stuff, it's a little acidic to aluminum.

When's the last time you replaced your belt?

How many miles? Ever changed the belt tensioner? Not just the pulley but the actual spring arm?

 

Dang should’ve used simple green haha

never replaced belt only got 40k on it and also never changed tensioner or pulley.

it’s slowly going away sounding less and less the more miles I drive it hopefully by tomorrow it’s gone haha have to drown the noise with music

 

Same issue washed the engine Monday & this morning woke up with a squeaking problem. Truck only has 30K on it, any solutions?

 

Drive it and it will (eventually) go away.

 

It’s happened once after a dusty trial and again after washing out engine bay.
I used some belt dressing and drove it.
Both time under 40k

 

Leaf blow the engine after you wash it

 

Any you guys treat the belt with 303? I take mine off and soak it in a can for 10-20 minutes about every 10K, still looks new.

 

Although that might help preserve the belt, I'm pretty sure it would promote slippage - which would be bad.

 

No slip at all. I used to take the belt off to treat, now I just spray 303 on with the engine running. Belt looks new after 4 years, not a single crack in the ribs. I thought it might slip the first time I did it but it had no effect.

 

Why??? I really don’t see the point in this given how long belts last.

 

Apparently modern EPDM belts don't crack anymore; they just lose material, so an 80K belt doesn't look too different from a new belt. Checking belt wear now requires a profile gauge. I would just replace mine at 10 years along with the water pump, thermostat, and radiator.