my 1995 ram 1500 5.9 is still having belt problems. i changed out the power steering pump this summer and that is when it began. ive replaced the tensioner and that hasnt helped. i am going to replace the belt this week but i was wondering if anyone knew the exact problem. i have heard about this alot and dont want to replace everything on the front of my engine if i dont have to. any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

the problem is it is making a high squealing noise. the volume and sound varies alot and sometimes if its cold enough it doesnt happen

 

What brand belt is it? Before you install a new one, take some brake cleaner and spray it on all the pulley's where the belt rides as best you can(and safely) while the motor is running. Remove the old one, make sure the spring on the arm for the tensioner pulley is not locked up and is free to travel it's full distance. And when you replaced the tensioner pulley, did you get one that has the same amount of grooves as the belt?

 

i was having belt squealing issues too. i thought it was my air conditioner pump. stopped at the a/c shop and he told me it was o.k. he told me to take a piece of sandpaper and sand between all the grooves on the pullies. viola,fixed for me. thats a cheap try anyway.

i have also heard that belts from advance will squeal too. donnt know why, but they do. seen where guys replaced them with belts from napa and problem solved.

 

+1 on the advance auto belt. Had same prob, installed a new Gates belt and prob gone. I think advance sells Dayco.

 

My belt from advance did not squeak. My new one from autozone does.

 

Could try a Goodyear Gatorback. I've always had good luck with those.

 

the belt squealed before i replaced the tensioner. and how exactly do perform the sanding fix. just sand in between every groove on the pulleys?

 

+1 Going on 2 years with it from autozone (cheapest price)

 

yep,just fold the sand paper and sand the whole "v" of each groove. i had to keep using different spots on the sand paper because of the black buildup on it.i spent about a 1/2 hour doing it.i took my belt off and hit every pulley. i was thinking maybe a wire brush might work too.