FTO AUSTRALIA

When my car is cold one of the belts screeches. It got serviced about 6-8 weeks ago and I figured it would loosen up by now. It certainly is getting better, though. It screeches louder at higher revs (as in not idling - as soon as I even touch the accelerator) My pop suggested using vaseline on it but im not too sure about his old tricks sometimes, even though he is quite the handyman.

tl;dr - How can I fix a screeching belt?

Are you sure they changed the belt? Screeching belt is either poor adjustment or an old belt that been cooked (which is usually the most common cause.)

100% sure. It screeched on first start up after getting it back and itd never done it before. It was a full service and he told me he changed them + the belts look new + I was charged for it (he wouldnt rip me off, pop has been going to him for 30 odd years)

Then its been tensioned badly. Too loose I'd say.

After driving it for 6-8 weeks its been getting better. Although if its too loose as you suggested im guessing its not going to "fix itself" as it would if it was too tight? Is there a way to fix it myself or do I need to take it back to the garage?

It only screeches when the engine is cold if that helps

Oh and would vaseline do anything bad by putting it on the inside of the belt?

Its 2 bolts mate

Do you know if its the front belt ( A/C - power steering) or the rear one (alternator)?

You should never have to put anything like Vasoline on the belts.

No clue. I'll bring the car out back and see if I can adjust it myself. Is there a way to tell while the car is not running? i.e wear and tear on the inside of the belt or will I have to turn it on and check which one isnt catching properly?

Yeah pops the kinda bloke to think "if you cant see or hear it, dont worry about it till it really breaks" so I wasnt sure about vaseline. Bit of a "duct tape everything" kinda guy haha

Go back to your mechanic

Haha! Yeah im a bit "uneducated" still, as you can see

Its the rear belt, just checked.

Your better getting it fixed straight away, its a but of a pain driving down the highway hearing a bang and seeing your power steering belt in the rear view mirror behind you

If you put push roughly 10kgs onto the part of your belt with the widest gap between pulleys the flex should be no more than 1cm.

Take it back to the mechanic and tell him to fix it straight away. It's his fault and it won't take longer than a couple of minutes.