Accessory belts squealing on the Hyundai (Updated)

[ChallengerHK]

I just had the timing belt and all the accessory belts replaced on my Hyundai. The power steering belt is now squealing like hell when it's cold. Is there a way that the pump can be misaligned? If not, what can cause this?

[Chryco Psycho]

anti freeze or oil on the pulley or belt it may stop after a short time , inadequate tension , belt in poor condition

[ShelbyDogg]

New belts always need a retighten a week after they are installed. After you do it, you probably wont have to touch it again.

[ChallengerHK]

Neil - I didn't look to verify, but belt should be new. I will check for contamination, though.

Rob - It's only two days old, and it was squealing immediately. I was having a little squeal over the winter as well, and I thought replacing the belt would get rid of it, but instead it's made it much worse. I will check the tension, though.

[burdar]

It probably has a serp belt with an automatic tensioner.  If those go bad the belt will squeal.

[ChallengerHK]

It might be a serpentine belt, but when I was checking it out before taking it in there are at least two belts driving the p/s pump, a/c compressor and alternator. I was surprised at that; didn't think anyone was using multiple belts any more.

[ChallengerHK]

Checked this puppy out last night. There are two belts, one drives the AC compressor and the alternator. The other drives the p/s pump only. It's very small; there's probably about 9-10 inches of separation between the drive and pump pulleys, and yet there's about 1/2" of free play in the center of the belt. For a belt that small, how much free play should I adjust to?

[ShelbyDogg]

It's probably the A/C alternator one, slipping after you first start it. The alternator usually needs the hp after the start up.
 Just snug them up to see if it quiets down.  Or leave one or the other off to see which one is the noisy one. 

So why haven't you already tried to tighten them or take it back to the place that installed them?

[ChallengerHK]

It's probably the A/C alternator one, slipping after you first start it. The alternator usually needs the hp after the start up.
 Just snug them up to see if it quiets down.  Or leave one or the other off to see which one is the noisy one. 

So why haven't you already tried to tighten them or take it back to the place that installed them?

It's definitely the p/s pump belt. I can feel the steering wheel grab and let go in time with the squealing.

I didn't try to tighten it last night because I didn't want to over-tighten and mess with the pump bearing; that's why I wanted to get some idea of a spec above.  I'm sure that a belt this short should have a lot less free play, but how much less?

As for taking it back, I had to travel 3 hours west to find a place that would do the work for a reasonable amount of money. Here in northern VA, I called 6 places; they were all over $800. I went to Winchester and got it done for $350. But that means that, if I were to take it back, I'd have to wait until the weekend to drive back up there.

[ShelbyDogg]

I just guessed that it was the alternator becuase you said that it squealed when cold. A loose PS belt would have also squealed when you turned hard left or right.

As far as tightening, I use a small pry bar or my big craftsman screwdriver and just go afr enough till it stops slipping. Just don't go crazy with it and the bearing will be fine.

[ChallengerHK]

I guess that's info I left out  Yeah, it does squeal when I turn the wheel, but only when it's cold.

[ChallengerHK]

Okay, here's the latest.

First, I tightened the belt. It's better, but the squeal still hasn't gone away. It's a little better, but not a lot.

What's more telling is that I don't think they put the right belt on. If I don't miss my guess, the belt should seat on both shoulders of the pulley. but it looks like it's about 1/16" too narrow. I'm wondering if the squeal is caused by the belt ribs not being properly seated.

Finaly, p/s pump reservoir was almost completely empty. Filled it, but now it's almost empty again. Got a leak somewhere.