Wd40 On Belt?

kelch420 · March 16, 2010

Hey guys the belt in my truck is really loud when I start my truck. I asked my buddy who is a mechanic what I could do and he said spray some wd40 on it while its running.

Matt_ · March 16, 2010

oh for the love of god NO.

check the tensioner. make sure the pulleys spin freely. and put a new belt on. the $30 and 2 minutes it takes to change a belt will pale in comparison to the towing charges after it breaks... and hope you dont overheat your engine before the battery dies.

If you're that cheap, put a dab of black RTV on it to quiet it up.

minibike132 · March 16, 2010

oh for the love of god NO.

check the tensioner. make sure the pulleys spin freely. and put a new belt on. the $30 and 2 minutes it takes to change a belt will pale in comparison to the towing charges after it breaks... and hope you dont overheat your engine before the battery dies.

If you're that cheap, put a dab of black RTV on it to quiet it up.

What he said, hell no.

My cheap guy trick is valve grinding compound all over the belt. It cleans up rusty glazed pulleys. Sometimes if I am replacing a belt and the pulleys are crappy looking I put some on the old belt, run it for a few minutes to clean them up then put the new one on.

usmc3529 · March 16, 2010

here is a simple solution that works, go to napa and get your self some sil glyde. put a dab on the belt near the pulleys and your belt stays lubed and moist. There is nothing that works better

pm26 · March 16, 2010

That guy is a mechanic? WD 40 contains mostly motor oil and mineral spirits. Would you spray any of these on your belts?

Nytemare · March 16, 2010

I think the guy was joking with you and you fell for it man.

Valve lapping compound works nicely...sparkey told me about it a while back and I have since tried it a few times.

Another trick is to use a small wire brush...(wire "tooth brush") and touche the pulleys while they are spinning...but that can be a quick way to lose a finger if your not very careful. The Valve lapping compound is my fave so far.

Or you could go get some belt dressing and hope it stops the squeaking, but if there is rust and gunk it will do nothing.

knipper_03 · March 16, 2010

Hey guys the belt in my truck is really loud when I start my truck. I asked my buddy who is a mechanic what I could do and he said spray some wd40 on it while its running.

YES do this!!!! Make sure you youtube that shot when it slips of and b^tch slaps you in the face

Replace the belt, idler pulley, and tensioner pulley. $60 bucks no more squeak

svensk · March 16, 2010

hah... I finally replaced my serpentine after a billion miles and now the new one squeaks at start-up. I wish I cared to do something about it.

csheatz · March 16, 2010

hah... I finally replaced my serpentine after a billion miles and now the new one squeaks at start-up. I wish I cared to do something about it.

Thats got to be some kinda record for a belt, as well as some other things!

If you spray WD40 on the belt please please please have some one post it on youtube. And after you complete that spray the rest of the can right into the intake, you might as well make it worth our while to watch!

TRCM · March 16, 2010

hah... I finally replaced my serpentine after a billion miles and now the new one squeaks at start-up. I wish I cared to do something about it.

Thats got to be some kinda record for a belt, as well as some other things!

If you spray WD40 on the belt please please please have some one post it on youtube. And after you complete that spray the rest of the can right into the intake, you might as well make it worth our while to watch!

Yall guys are funny...post it on youtube ???

I have been putting WD-40 on squeaky belts for over 25 yrs, and have yet to have one come off.

But they all stop making noise (and still do their job too).

Yes, it contains chemicals, but those chemicals soften the rubber in the belt and help it grip and last a lot longer.

You do have to spray it on the smallest pulley when the engine is NOT running, and then start the engine with the hood down, as it will sling any excess off and go everywhere.

Matt_ · March 16, 2010

Yes, it contains chemicals, but those chemicals soften the rubber in the belt and help it grip and last a lot longer.

Actually, the chemicals in WD40 will dry out the belt and cause it to crack/fail sooner. A lot of people make that mistake thinking that WD40 will "lube" and help protect belts/bushings/etc... but it does the opposite.

Denali_Joe · March 16, 2010

The WD in WD40 stands for Water Displacer and the 40 is apparently how many attempts it took to get the formula correct. I did a quick Google and the ingredients are as follows:

* 50%: Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits -- primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene)

* 25%: Liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability)

* 15+%: Mineral oil (light lubricating oil)

* 10-%: Inert ingredients

I don't think you'd want that on your belt long term.

TRCM · March 16, 2010

The WD in WD40 stands for Water Displacer and the 40 is apparently how many attempts it took to get the formula correct. I did a quick Google and the ingredients are as follows:
* 50%: Stoddard solvent (i.e., mineral spirits -- primarily hexane, somewhat similar to kerosene)

* 25%: Liquefied petroleum gas (presumably as a propellant; carbon dioxide is now used instead to reduce WD-40's considerable flammability)

* 15+%: Mineral oil (light lubricating oil)

* 10-%: Inert ingredients

I don't think you'd want that on your belt long term.

Yeah, I know what's in it. Also know it has worked for me for many, many years, and I've never had to replace a belt that I used it on.

To each his own I guess. I tried it when I got tired of the belt dressing stuff making a mess, and it worked. I too was told to do it by a mechanic for what it's worth.

Just saying it won't cause the belt to come flying off and that it does work...not saying it will or won't hurt the belt.