Squealing Belt Repair / Upgrade for V6 Fieros

 If you own a V6 Fiero, chances are you've struggled with this at one time or another. As you would probably guess, Fieros didn't come with squealing belts from the factory. A lot of things can contribute to a squealing belt, not all of which is due to the belt not being tight enough. When properly installed, the serpentine belt (not really much of a serpentine setup, honestly) on the V6 Fiero should have no more than 1/2" of deflection when pressure is applied with your thumb. This is more than adequate assuming the rest of the system is properly maintained.

The FIRST step to resolving the squealing belt syndrome, is to identify which problem(s) you're having. First check the accessory belt and make sure that it's not glazed, and in good repair. The belt should have a flat-black / matte finish on the underside and be completely free from cracks.

NEXT, Inspect the pulleys for dirt, rust, or debris that would cause them to slip. If you see any surface rust in the grooves of the pulleys, you'll want to eliminate this. This can be accomplished by removing the belt, and cleaning the pulley groves with degreaser, and a wire-brush. Be sure to clean ALL three pulleys, alternator, crank, and water pump. You'll want to install a new belt as well otherwise you'll be right back where you started.

If the problem persists after proper tensioning, visually inspect (while the motor is running) the alignment of the pulleys. For obvious reasons, don't attempt to touch the belts or pulleys. If you see any of the pulleys wobbling or moving in anything other than a perfectly straight pattern, then it means it's either bent or misaligned. You'll want to replace that pulley immediately. It might be worth mentioning that if you are in a position to replace your pulleys, you might benefit by replacing them with "underdrive" pulleys. These will be new, and probably cost the same amount as brand new OEM replacements anyway. You should pick up a bit more power off the line and improve "around-town" fuel economy.

If absolutely NONE of this resolves your problem with squealing belts, you can purchase an aftermarket "tensioner / idler pulley" from Rodney Dickman. These pulley kits are SUPERIOR in quality and install in such a way that only a Fiero expert would know whether or not it was factory. It resolves belt slippage by significantly increasing the belt to pulley surface area contact. You can contact Rodney Dickman at rodney1@rodneydickman.com, or visit his website at http://www.RodneyDickman.com