So I'm not using my truck on a daily basis anymore. She's a keeper so I want to take care of her.
About 2 weeks ago it had been raining a lot. I started my truck and heard a loud squeak from under the hood. After I ran the truck noise stopped. Then it got louder and lasted longer. Now it is a loud squeak non stop. All within a week.
I read a forum somewhere and it said to try WD-40 on the belt. So I'm not sure what the belt is called or pulley but it is the one right infront behind the radiator. Well I sprayed it and it stopped for about a minute but started again. Now it's worse!
I did read on forums here not to spray WD-40.
Confused and need help please anyone any ideas?

 

WD-40 is a water repellant and it also has petroleum in it which will eat the belt. Cause it to dry and crack. If you think it's your belt buy specific belt lube and follow the directions. If that doesn't work then it's one of your pulleys and you need to try and figure out which one and replace it. The bearings do go bad.

 

The spray you want is called Belt Dressing. That's the only thing it's called. If it doesn't say that, it's not what you need.
But it sounds more like a pulley problem. Belt squeals usually go away after a minute or so of idling. Figure out which pulley is making the sound and go from there.

 

NOOOO!!! Fix the squeal with a new belt, hopefully...

Any stuff you put on the belt, whether it be wd-40, belt dressing, or that Clorox powder will only be temporary. Trust me.

 

I have to disagree with you there. After my new heavy duty alternator / belt resizing issue. I put some belt dressing on my belt, and it works perfectly now. Haven't had a squeak or squeal in almost 2 years. Plus it's way cheaper than a new belt and will let you know if it is a pulley or if it's the belt. Where as a new belt will cost you 50 bucks for a new good quality one, like a gatorback. And if it's not the issue, you're SOL because most (if not all) places wont refund a belt if it's been spun.

 

That's good to hear. I've never had luck with all the stuff to put on the belts. The dressing can cause belts to swell and break down the rubber, that is why it's not recommended.
I would be interested to see a belt maker say that it is 'OK' to dress the belts. I suppose it's worth a shot since it's not a DD.

Having a spare belt is never a bad thing. It's an item that if it breaks on the road you are SOL until your get another. I always keep an old one in the vehicle.

OP, take the belt of if you are capable and see if any pulley squeals when you spin it.

 

Great info! Do you all recommend I remove the WD-40 from everywhere it landed and if so with what?

 

Wd-40 doesn't last real long so i wouldn't worry about it.

 

Just replace the belt, it probably needs to be replaced if its the factory belt any ways. Is the truck over heading at all? A squeaking on start up can be a sign of a water pump going bad.

 

Before you buy a part you may not need take the belt off and start the truck long enough to see if the noise is gone. If so start with your idler and tensioner pulley. Spin them by hand(with the truck off) and you'll hear if they are bad or not.