Belt Dressing?

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Mar 24, 2011 | 04:42 PM

Mrgogo

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From: clovis ca

Belt Dressing?

I had a sqealing belt issue last week. I replaced with a quality Goodyear gatorback piece. Fixed the problem. When I was doing research on the issue a lot of people were just dead against using any kind of belt dressing to fix the problem. I've heard of several fixes to the problem like, hand soap, amour all, wd40. So whats your experience? Did it work or bad JooJoo?

Mar 24, 2011 | 04:51 PM

bucwheat

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From: 4th on the list of top 100 in USA Ga.

I had a problem on my F-350 Diesel,used a little belt dressing on it and it's been over a year and no more squeal.

Mar 24, 2011 | 05:14 PM

TNRAT

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Wd-40 works wonders as a bandaid but changing to gatorbacks and replacing the idler pulley took care of the problem..

Mar 24, 2011 | 08:16 PM

Mrgogo

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From: clovis ca

I'm glad I didn't use the Belt Dressing. I went to a Mechcanic friends and he showed me what it was. Looked like liquid asphalt to me. Not good.

Mar 24, 2011 | 09:30 PM

MNR

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I have a problem with mine squeaking too. Replaced 2 idlers (1 was real bad, the other was not that bad) and a new belt, still squeaks. I ran some water on the belt and the noise stops momentarily, then starts back up. I really dont want to use belt dressing for reasons stated above. I am thinking of getting a gatorback belt to solve the problem. Any other ideas?

Mar 24, 2011 | 10:12 PM

WillEE

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From: Albuquerque New Mexico

I wouldn't use that belt dressing - get a new belt (assuming all is well with pulleys & bearings). I used it once and something in it made the belt harder and caused more squeaking. Must say that stuff is about the most worthless elixir concoction I've ever come across.

Mar 24, 2011 | 11:00 PM

C5Vette168

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From: 1000 Oaks CA

St. Jude Donor '08

Belt dressing also made my belt squeak more. I used a bar of soap and the squeak went away.

Mar 25, 2011 | 11:18 AM

hotwheels57

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From: Not on either liberal coast.

Belt dressing, soap, toothpaste, WD40, sand paper the belts, repainting or sanding of the pulleys, or whatever other "snake oil" remedy of the time all used to be (somewhat) effective on squeaky belts years ago when cars used thin V-belts and deep grooved pulleys. But it was more of a bandaid than a cure.

Modern thin/flat ribbed belts/pulleys don't seem to benefit as well. Best to insure that your idler(s) are providing correct tension and buy a new belt(s) as needed.

GATORBACK belts are very popular. I bought new GATORBACK belts when I first bought my (then) two year old Z16. I carry them in the trunk "just in case". No belt will last forever in the heat of modern engine compartments. They should be regularly inspected and replaced as routine maintenance, since they drive all the accessories.

Last edited by hotwheels57; Mar 25, 2011 at 12:10 PM.