Solved an old problem, but need advice

[nikosuave8896]

Man if you lived close that woulda really helped my ass. Oh well 600 dollars it was and I guess I'm happy the cars running good again. Now to figure out why my new serpentine belt that was put on a few months back is squeaking.

Any takers? lol

[DTMAce]

And were the Felpro gaskets he put on good gaskets?

Felpro gaskets usually do our cars good. And they cost more than an average set, from what I have seen, though I have not priced those for the timing cover.

I think a couple of others might have missed that in the original post.

As for the belt? Lord knows. Typically in the past, I have had belt squeal from one of 3 causes:

Worn belt
Loose belt
Oil or other fluid on belt/pulley(s)

You may want to check the tensioner, make sure it has a fair amount of belt tension. To do a simple check, push or pull on the belt just in front of the alternator, see how much and how easily it can be moved by hand. (with the engine off obviously) You should be able to move it an inch at most without a whole lot of effort. Less is tighter, more is looser. Also while the engine is running, watch the belt and the tensioner for floppy or play in its travel. Rev the engine, see if the belt play changed dramatically. The belt should stay fairly smooth with only a little vibrating play at the tensioner. Otherwise replace the tensioner.

You can try cleaning the belt and pulleys. One way is to use some brake cleaner, or a decent engine degreaser then a good wash down. Otherwise, pull the belt, hand clean each pulley and try to clean the belt, or replace it.

Sometimes just using a different brand of belt can fix the problem too.

[nikosuave8896]

Ace I am pretty sure you just gave me some hope! When I changed the Water Pump, I left the belt where it was i just took tension off the pulley so I could remove it. Of course, coolant spilled everywhere getting the belt extremely soaked in coolant back a few months ago. When I started it and drove it, it was squeal pretty bad and stayed that way for cold starts, and after driving it for awhile the squeal would stop. Now that winter is here and if its damp out, the belt squeals like crazy and sounds terrible. Now that the timing cover gaskets fixed, it doesn't squeal nearly as bad but still is there. The water pump pulley was extremely rusted when i took it off so I cleaned it with brake cleaner and gave it a nice shine. The belt is a dayco belt and that is a brand new belt, but I heard these are notorious for squealing. (Thought it was a good quality belt cause of the price, boy was I wrong lol). The Tensioner is also brand new, but I should check it anyway to see if its really loose. But I think you nailed it with the pulleys being noisy. I may also have to reconsider getting a new belt on again. I wish I told my mechanic that beforehand since he had all of that stuff taken apart. Ill get some brake cleaner in the pulleys and see if I see an improvement.

[scd88ga]

I would replace the belt too over just cleaning it because any oil-based chemical that gets on the surface will impregnate itself into the rubber causing it to swell and soften (and squeak in this case)! lol

[3X00-Modified]

And were the Felpro gaskets he put on good gaskets?

Felpro gaskets usually do our cars good. And they cost more than an average set, from what I have seen, though I have not priced those for the timing cover.

I think a couple of others might have missed that in the original post.

The felpro kit from RA is only $7.10, and thats with the sleeve and seal kit if your pulley has a groove in it and leaks, if not the regular kit is like $5.08

Thats why I said if they charged him $55 for gaskets thats a bit obnoxious depending on what they replaced.

[spacecadetz26]

the gasket at the most should have been no more than $17. and would include the wp gasket. the front crank seal $18. was that the price for all the parts? cause at that point you would have paid for a gallon of antifreeze $10-15 and probably an oil change.

[3X00-Modified]

$5.08 from Rock auto... Crank seal included...



It's only $7.99 from a local Napa too.

I would have expected for him to see a breakdown as "shop supplies" and that would include oil and coolant, or have that listed completely seperate from "gaskets"

but without seeing the bill we are only guessing.

[nikosuave8896]

I do have a bill, its not computerized he just wrote the name of the prices in the receipt. 55 for gasket set, 25 for antifreeze, and 10 for a busted clamp. 90 total for parts.

[DTMAce]

All things considered, it could have been worse. I don't see that being that bad, with all the work needed to do it.

[spacecadetz26]

$5.08 from Rock auto... Crank seal included...



It's only $7.99 from a local Napa too.

I would have expected for him to see a breakdown as "shop supplies" and that would include oil and coolant, or have that listed completely seperate from "gaskets"

but without seeing the bill we are only guessing.

Most shops charge list price for parts unless they are giving you a special deal. My price was like $6 for the gaskets list price is $16.14. I was just trying to see if he charged him for the crank seal separately. But $55 is a high markup for those gaskets any way you look at it. Shop supplies are generally cleaners, rags, scotch brite disks etc. oil and coolant would have been billed additionally.

[nikosuave8896]

He probably didn't list the cleaning surface materials. Labor generally cost around 75-80 dollars an hour where I live so anywhere I go probably would charge the same, I just like his work.

Now that I am considering a new belt, what is the best brand? I am NOT buying a dayco again.