BELT SQUEAL

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

Hi All

We've have had our 2010 Avensis 2.0 Manual Diesel for just under 3 months now, no issues so far touch wood, however in the last few days, we have noticed a different sound coming from the engine bay, like a dull squeal, or may be a sort of a slither sound, its hard to describe I am sorry, anyway, I popped the hood earlier, its definitely coming from the drive belt area, I am thinking could it be a pulley, or could it be the drive belt? The belt looks fine, no damage, cuts, frays, etc, and no slipping issues, although upon really close inspection it does mover left to right only very slightly, I assume that is normal? The sound is just annoying otherwise nothing serious.

I rang my Toyota dealer, who have kindly asked me to pop down tomorrow morning for them to have a listen, but I thought I would ask you guys prior, please let me know any opinions or suggestions, thank you all!

P/S, Toyota said if it is the drive belt, it will not be covered by the extended warranty that we have taken out since it is wear & tear, but at £18.00 for a Gates belt and my other half's free labour we should be fine.

 

 

[Konrad C]

Hi Sam, 

Couple of things - get the belt tension checked, but more importantly, check the pulleys and the security of the ancillary mounts.

Could be time for belt change? If and when your other half changes the belt, check for play on the crank pulley. This has a rubber layer to damp the vibrations. In my old Avensis the crank pulley failed, and because it was driving 2 belts, it destroyed the out belt to the air-con, which in turn damaged the alternator belt! I had only just left my house so got the car back and replaced the pulley a few days later. I had spare belts anyway. 

Then where the belt moves side to side over the pulley, check the play of that pulley.

Hopefully it is just the belt and not any pulley.

 

[SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS]

On ‎24‎/‎03‎/‎2016 at 10:01 AM, Konrad C said:

Hi Sam, 

Couple of things - get the belt tension checked, but more importantly, check the pulleys and the security of the ancillary mounts.

Could be time for belt change? If and when your other half changes the belt, check for play on the crank pulley. This has a rubber layer to damp the vibrations. In my old Avensis the crank pulley failed, and because it was driving 2 belts, it destroyed the out belt to the air-con, which in turn damaged the alternator belt! I had only just left my house so got the car back and replaced the pulley a few days later. I had spare belts anyway. 

Then where the belt moves side to side over the pulley, check the play of that pulley.

Hopefully it is just the belt and not any pulley.

 

HI Konrad C

To update, had the vehicle inspected by a Toyota technician on Friday, took it for a test drive, sprayed what looked like belt dressing, and said yes Sam, it seems to be the belt, its time for a change, so there we have it!

My other half knows what he is doing in regards to belt changing, although it looks a bit tight for space to me.

Just a quick one, so I know, how do you check the belt tension exactly? And how would I check the pulleys and security of the ancillary mounts? Do I just spin each pulley and move it side to side to check for any play?

Please let me know when you have a moment, cheers mate.

Sammy

[Konrad C]

1 hour ago, SAM LOVERS HER TOYOTAS said:

HI Konrad C

To update, had the vehicle inspected by a Toyota technician on Friday, took it for a test drive, sprayed what looked like belt dressing, and said yes Sam, it seems to be the belt, its time for a change, so there we have it!

My other half knows what he is doing in regards to belt changing, although it looks a bit tight for space to me.

Just a quick one, so I know, how do you check the belt tension exactly? And how would I check the pulleys and security of the ancillary mounts? Do I just spin each pulley and move it side to side to check for any play?

Please let me know when you have a moment, cheers mate.

Sammy

Hi Sam,

You have basically said what \i would do to checked the pulleys and mounting of the ancillaries. Yes check for play with the pulleys and bearings. With the crank pulley, make sure the rubber laminate layer between the inner and outer parts of the pulley has not separated, causing first the wobble, then the two parts to slip all together. It should not happen due to young age, and there is no cambelt to change. Some mechanics pull the pulley by the outer ring, and not use the screw holes. This can weaken the laminate.

I found some info from the Continental site:-

http://aam-europe.contitech.de/pages/pic/produkte.cshtml?lg=en&applg=en&ArtikelID=VD1078

http://aam-europe.contitech.de/pages/pic/produkte.cshtml?lg=en&applg=en&ArtikelID=AP9076

I was not aware of overrunning alternator pulley, so the info in new to me!

I also checked the Gates catalogue:-

http://www.gatesautocat.com/drive/TOYOTA/Avensis-Estate-Wagon/ADT270/1ADFTV/11-08_03-16/47379

The great news is that access is good after taking off the wheel and removing the access panel in the wheel arch. Much the same as when I did the same job on my Mk1.

So if any pulley is noisy when turned and has any play, change them.

Hopefully it will be an easy job weather permitting.

Konrad