I have a 2001 Dakota that has a squeal noise when I start up the truck first thing in the morning and when I leave from work. I've tried spraying the belt and changing the battery (someone suggested it was the battery going dead). Anyway, I am open to more info and suggestions.

Thanks,
Anna

 

In my expirence that "squeal" that you hear is the serpentine belt, it is just slipping on the pulleys. I am pretty sure there is a way the tighten it that I don't know of, but I could be wrong. Hope that helps any.

 

Anna,

The squealing that you're hearing is normal, during the course of the night and while it's sitting at work moisture is developing on the belt. In the moring it is due to the same cause as morning dew, similarly moisture will accumulated while it sits in a parking deck or even if it sits outside for a few hours.

Check your belt for cracks to be sure. And press on the belt before and after driving to work to see if it's to loose. It should be a little springy.

I recommend that you DO NOT spary anyhing on the belt. This may cause slippage and could damage some of your components.

I did have the same concern and so I took my truck to the dealer and asked them to just check the belt to make sure it was ok. You may want to do the same, if they mess up, it's on them.

 

My truck does it every morning, And definitly DON'T spray any type of belt dressings on Dakotas or Durangos. They were designed for the belt to run completely dry.

Just check to make sure the belt is not cracked, and also, Our trucks have a reputation for the Tensioner pulley to squeal badly easiest way to check is you take the tension off of the belt, Move the belt off of the tensioner pulley, and spin the pulley freely. If it makes noise you can look into replacing it.

-X