Belt re-conditioner spray - Avoid

**Bolton** · 7th October 2016, 10:13 PM

Evening all. Whilst I 'm rattling on about serpentine belts, I just want to relate an issue I had a few years ago with what was advertised as a belt re-conditioning spray, manufactured by CRC.

My serpentine belt on my 300 TDI was squeaking a bit. I saw the spray in Supa Cheap Auto. On the tin it said it conditioned belts, stopped squeaking and generally did loads of other good stuff.

I cleaned the belt, applied spray as directed and it screamed like a banshee. I took the belt off. I cleaned it with detergent- howled like a banshee. I cleaned it with de-greaser- same result.

Final remedy was to put serpentine belt in bin, along with the CRC spray and go and get a new belt.

My recommendation:- if tempted to buy any of this stuff, have word with yourself, turn round and leave the store.

Has anyone else used this or similar products and did you get any different results?

What does cure a squeaking belt- other than a new belt?

Cheers

Bolton

**Fausto79** · 7th October 2016, 11:21 PM

new tensioner pulley assembly usually does the trick as it is main cause of chirping/squeaking.

**Bolton** · 7th October 2016, 11:49 PM

Thanks for that. I think it is due a tensioner assembly. Any recommendations on what brand/ model to buy or avoid.

Cheers

**Fausto79** · 8th October 2016, 02:12 AM

Think you can only get one type. Dayco if im correct. Costs about 150$. You can buy just the bearing for $10 but doesn't always fix it. Didn't fix mine. After a while the tensioner loses its tension as well.

**rangieman** · 8th October 2016, 08:24 AM

I have done this before anything on a few Tdi `s .
[ame]https://youtu.be/HnV5wd-Mg3M[/ame]

The cost 5 - 10 cents and ten minutes of your time at max

It is always worth a try before spending the big buck`s

**pop058** · 8th October 2016, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Fausto79

Think you can only get one type. Dayco if im correct. Costs about 150$. You can buy just the bearing for $10 but doesn't always fix it. Didn't fix mine. After a while the tensioner loses its tension as well.

Did the bearing thing awhile ago. IIRC it was a "6203" which is quite common and it fixed the issue ATM.

**vnx205** · 8th October 2016, 04:43 PM

I have found the best cure for my squeaking belt is a sprinkle of talcum powder. It also make the engine bay smell nice.

My belt used to squeal enough to frighten small children and a bit of talcum powder would stop it for several months. If I washed the engine, the squealing would often start again until I gave it another dose of talcum.

The problem seems to be diminishing however, as I have probably only had to sprinkle talcum on the belt about once in the last year.

DiscoMick · 8th October 2016, 04:59 PM

Put it on the pulley, not the belt.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

**isuzurover** · 8th October 2016, 06:44 PM

I have used CRC belt grip before on v-belts and non-toothed flat belts (old lathe) with good results.

However on the Tdi I had huge problems with squealing. Despite a new tensioner. Talc and other treatments just provided temporary fixes and led to faster wear rates.

Swapped to a different brand and it stopped completely. Cannot remember now if I swapped from Gates to Dayco or vice versa.

**LandyAndy** · 8th October 2016, 06:53 PM

A candle works OK on some flat belts.
Simply touch the belt with engine idleing.The standard safety warnings about sticking ones fingers where the belts,pulleys or fan can eat them should be taken.
Rub it on both the smooth and ribbed sides of the belt,obviously a big candle is easier to use than a birthday candle

ENJOY
Andrew

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