Why does the VAZ 2110 generator whistle. Why does the alternator belt whistle: causes and solutions. Alternator belt tightening sequence

During the operation of the car, the owner is faced with many problems, which include an unpleasant situation with. He starts, seemingly for no reason, "whistling", and guessing right away why this is happening is not so easy. In our case, we are not talking about a worn or old belt. Everything is clear here - I replaced everything. No, everything is much more interesting, and, as in an exciting English detective story, we will look for a causal relationship.

Inspection of the belt and search for reasons why the belt whistles.

So, why is the new alternator belt "whistling"? As it turns out, there are several reasons for this, and all of them are presented below.

Briefly about the hinged belt

Belt drive is the most common way to transfer rotation to the generator rotor. The method has been used for a long time and differs from others in its simplicity: there are only two pulleys on the shafts, which are connected by a belt.

The belt itself is responsible for a lot. It is he who is responsible for transmitting rotation from pulley to pulley. You should know that one part of the belt is tighter than the other. It is the difference between these tensions that determines the traction force and its coefficient.

The belt provides a clear transmission and is quiet in operation. High-quality products are able to withstand prolonged loads, smooth out shocks and jerks. They are compact, take up little space, but simultaneously operate several important vehicle components: an air conditioning compressor and a pump.

The generator rotor must constantly rotate. This is facilitated by just a belt connection with the crankshaft. The pulleys that are screwed onto the shafts of the generator and the crankshaft are connected by a belt, which must be flexible.

The “whistling” of the belt is similar to a disgusting clang. It is caused by the fact that the belt slips. The sound from such a whistle is unpleasant and can be heard at a great distance. Of course, you should not drive in such a situation.

Belt whistle and its causes

Some motorists refer to the fact that supposedly the belt is of poor quality and carry out a replacement, but everything starts over again. For this reason, in order not to lose valuable time and extra money, it is recommended to inspect the entire belt drive. Analyzing the conditions under which a whistle appears is the most useful judgment that a car owner makes.

The check comes down to the following:

• checking the integrity of the belt(we agree with the version that today even new products can be of poor quality);
• checking the tension(as you know, belt squeaks often occur due to weak tension);
• shaft cleanliness is checked(another reason for the "whistling", which is described in detail below);
• the line of two pulleys is checked for displacement.

Five main reasons why the generator whistles

The following is a list of the most common causes of alternator belt whistling:

1. The cleanliness of car parts is an important rule that the owner must follow. vehicle. Oil, which is random hit the belt or shaft, causes an unpleasant squeak. This happens due to the fact that the belt loses its former grip on the surface of the shaft and slips.

   If you remove the belt, and then carefully remove all traces of oil with a rag soaked in gasoline, then the problem can be solved.

2. The belt may just sag and weak tension will cause a whistle. The solution is quite obvious - you will need to look under the hood, check how the belt is tightened and if it is weak, then tighten it.
3. Whistle can start due to incorrect pulley line. As you know, two pulleys must be strictly in one line and a slight slope leads to an unpleasant sound.

   You need to check the offset and set the pulleys as needed.

4. Too tight belt can also lead to whistling. Car owners probably know that a very stiff belt prevents the pulleys from rotating normally. Especially often this situation is observed in the cold season and the whistle stops as soon as the engine warms up and the belt regains its shape;
5. Failed bearing can cause the harness to “whistle”. We change the bearing to a new one and that's it.

The above provisions are the main ones. But that doesn't mean there can't be other reasons. The most important thing is to respond to the problem in a timely manner and take urgent measures to eliminate them, then you will forget how the alternator belt whistles.

I welcome you friends to the DIY car repair site. VAZ car owners are often faced with a situation where the whistle of the alternator belt is heard when the engine is started.

In such a situation, most beginners see only one way out - replacing the supposedly worn out element. In fact, you should not make rash decisions.

Suite can be caused by a number of reasons that can be eliminated with your own hands and at minimal cost.

Features and possible causes of alternator belt whistle

The main purpose of the generator is to power the electrical equipment of the car. But how is the constant rotation of the rotor ensured?

On the crankshaft the engine and the generator shaft have special pulleys on which the belt is pulled. After starting the engine, the crankshaft begins to rotate, driving the generator rotor.

The appearance of a squeak is due to increased friction of the belt on the generator pulley ( crankshaft) or normal slippage.

In practice, the causes of squeaking and whistling can be the following:

• Increased belt wear. Sometimes even additional tension does not save.
• Contact with the generator pulley (crankshaft) or directly with the belt of various liquids (antifreeze, oil, and so on).
• Poor quality belt.
• Bearing wear in the generator.

This malfunction most often manifests itself under increased loads. The bearing may whistle or rattle. In such a situation, only a do-it-yourself replacement or a service station can help out.

Diagnostics and elimination of alternator belt whistle

Is the alternator belt whistling in the car? - Don't panic. The first thing to do is to make a small diagnosis. Inspect the belt for obvious damage.

Check if it is well tensioned, if there is any obvious misalignment of the pulley line. Pay special attention to the surface of the belt - there should not be any liquids on it.

After inspection, you will be able to draw preliminary conclusions and make a decision on further repairs:

If the belt is visually damaged, there are serious cracks on the surface, and the edges are frayed, then it is no longer possible to do without replacing the belt. At the same time, buy only original parts for your VAZ model.

Otherwise, after a couple of thousand kilometers, you will again encounter this problem. By the way, low-quality Chinese fakes often “whistle” immediately after installation.

Is there visible contamination on the belt (oil, antifreeze)? – Carefully clean the belt of excess dirt (if possible). If the dirt has eaten into the product and cleaning does not give visible results, then it is better to replace the alternator belt.

If no problems are found outwardly, proceed to the mechanical part. Check tension. To do this, press the belt at the midpoint between the crankshaft and alternator pulleys.

The optimal level of deflection is about 6-8 mm. If this parameter turned out to be more or less, adjustment is indispensable.

We note right away that for each VAZ model, the setup process may be slightly different. We will consider the general case.

Prepare a ratchet handle, a ring wrench at "19", a deep head at "17", and also stock up on 15-20 minutes of personal time.

Alternator belt tightening sequence

Slightly unscrew the upper fixing nut connecting the generator to the bracket using the “17” wrench.

Loosen the fastening nut at the bottom (it is enough to unscrew it a few turns).

If you need to loosen the belt, grab the generator and pull it towards you (if you need to tighten the belt, away from you). After that, it is necessary to tighten the nuts and check the operation of the generator.

Before starting the engine, turn on several main consumers, for example, the stove, high beams and heating. If the whistle is gone, and the charge level remains at a normal level, then the work can be considered successful.

At the same time, remember that constriction is also unacceptable (this can lead to increased wear of the pulleys and belt).

There are situations when the alternator belt whistles from time to time, for example, when the temperature drops or the humidity rises outside.

In this case, you can use special additives (sold in standard cans). The method of application is very simple.

It is necessary to spray the composition on the inside of the belt and pulleys. The cost of such products is from 500 to 1500 rubles.

If the alternator belt beeps on your car, then you should not immediately rush to the service station and make expensive repairs.

In most cases, the problem is solved much easier and in a few minutes. And now you know how it's done. Good luck on the road and of course no breakdowns.

Many car owners are concerned about why the alternator belt is whistling. An unpleasant situation, when the belt of the generating device makes a rattle and whistle, acts on the nerves, does not make it possible to concentrate on the road. However, the cause of the whistle is not always the belt. Let's find out why the generator whistles?

Belt and its universal functions

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Belt drive is the best way to transfer torque to the rotor of the generating device, invented today. This method has been successfully used for many years, differing from other methods in its simplicity. For the implementation of a belt drive, complex and numerous components are not needed - just two pulleys with shafts interconnected by an elastic belt.

Here the belt itself becomes a universal part, because many functions are assigned to it. First of all, the main task is to ensure the rotation of the pulleys.

Note. It is important that the belt is not just elastic and moderately rigid. One part of the element is specially tensioned more to provide a tension difference, and, accordingly, to solve the issue of traction and its efficiency.

The belt gives transmission to the generator rotor, which must constantly rotate during operation. car engine. The belt in this case provides not only this, but also the clarity of the transmission, smoothing out the jolts and jerks that inevitably come from the crankshaft.

The belt provides silent rotation, and high-quality products are able to be moderately rigid and durable at the same time, thereby withstanding prolonged loads.

Another advantage of the belt is its compactness. It takes up little space, while at the same time performing tasks on a scale that is not comparable to its size. The generating device, water pump, air conditioning compressor, power steering pump - all this works thanks to the rotation of the belt.

It is not surprising that after such loads the belt does not withstand. The disgusting "clunk" emitted by the problematic belt is the very whistle that we are writing about. The reason is belt slippage. Sometimes this whistle is so strong that it can be heard at a very long distance.

Other causes of whistling

Why is the belt slipping? If the fault is the load, then after the replacement everything should return to normal. However, the noise continues with the new belt. Some kind of okaziya. No need to panic. It is better to find the cause of all this in the first place.

Experts advise doing the following:

• visually inspect the belt, checking it for integrity (even new products today come across defective and of poor quality);
• check the shaft and pulleys for cleanliness (oil and other dirt can easily cause whistling);
• diagnose the degree of tension (weak tension also causes noise);
• check the alignment of the pulleys (if two pulleys are not located in relation to each other in the same plane, the belt will not rotate smoothly, thereby touching certain parts with its edges and whistling).

Despite the fact that the belt performs many tasks, the designers did not disregard the load moment. Part of it, of course, is taken over by pulleys. And in them, according to many experts, one should look for the causes of the whistle. Especially if it makes an unpleasant sound and a new belt, checked for quality in accordance with all the rules.

The first thing that brings the pulleys out of their normal state, so to speak, is the liquid that has fallen on the surface. Oil, coolant, gasoline can get on the pulley or belt itself. This causes slippage and strong whistling.

If everything was checked carefully, and the cause of the whistle was never found, the generator itself is in doubt. It also happens that the whistle is emitted by bearings with heavy wear. In such cases, the generating device is disassembled, the bearings are replaced with new ones.

Varieties of whistle

It is customary to distinguish whistling by the nature of its occurrence. For example, a whistle can only appear “when cold”, then disappear. Therefore, it is equally important to know how the alternator belt whistles.

Whistling "in the cold" is a frequent headache for Russian car owners. There are several reasons.

• Lubricant for generator bearings selected incorrectly. Because of this, in cold weather, the composition is compacted, the pulley cannot easily rotate the rotor. Everything goes away as soon as the engine warms up, and the lubricant “thaws”. The solution to this problem is banal - to replace the anti-adhesive with a composition more tested for cooling.
• Weak belt tension. An engine that is simply not able to start working dynamically “when cold” takes time to warm up. During this period, a loosely tensioned belt lacks the strength to “accelerate” on the pulleys. It slips and whistles, but only until the motor spins quickly and evenly.
• The pulley itself jams. The same thing happens only “on a cold” until the car parts are warmed up properly. You can check whether the pulley is the cause of the whistle yourself. It is necessary to scroll the generator pulley by hand, having thrown off the belt before that. If the pulley rotates tightly or cannot be turned at all, a serious repair or even replacement is needed.

Another variant of the whistle is a noise that occurs only when the engine is under load. This kind of whistling is usually caused by a weak belt tension.

Belt whistle: causes

During the operation of the vehicle, the motorist is faced with various troubles. So, over time, the steering wheel begins to play, the suspension knocks. Sometimes whistles Why is this happening? Such a problem can catch a motorist at the most inopportune moment. Well, let's look at why the alternator belt whistles on the Kia Rio (sedan) and other cars.

Belt characteristic

First, consider what this element is responsible for. As you know, it is often used in a car. Thanks to it, the correct gas distribution (if we are talking about the timing unit), the operation of the power steering, air conditioning and generator are carried out.

Maintaining the optimal voltage in the on-board network is the key to the health of any car. That's why it's so important to keep your generator running. The item itself is reliable. However, the alternator belt may whistle. Why is this happening? The fact is that the element loses traction with the crankshaft pulley. And this can already happen for various reasons. For which, we will consider below.

natural wear and tear

As you know, this element is affected by large loads. Therefore, it must be strong and flexible at the same time. The generator belt is made of rubber with a reinforcing filler. The service life of this product is 60 thousand kilometers. Of course, the resource directly depends on the workload of the generator. But if there is a whistle from the engine compartment, it is worth remembering how long you have not changed this element. Remember that over time the belt loses its quality.

By the way, judging by the reviews, the most durable and hardy is This element has the shape of a trapezoid on the cut. This allows it to withstand heavy loads. However, the mechanism is not designed for reverse kink. Therefore, it is not used on all cars.

Cleanliness of parts

Few people know that engine compartment also needs to be washed periodically. And this is not done for aesthetic pleasure. The fact is that with severe contamination, the belt drive loses traction with the pulley. A characteristic whistle begins. In addition, dust particles work internally as an abrasive. As a result, the question is brewing: "Why is the new alternator belt whistling?" But not only dust can contribute to this problem.

If the engine gasket is leaking oil, it can also splash onto the crankshaft pulley. As a result, the belt loses its rigid grip on the shaft. The clanging and whistling begins. Therefore, it is so important to keep the engine compartment clean. By the way, after washing, you can find traces of oil leakage. This will allow timely diagnosis of a breakdown of the gasket or stuffing box and fix the problem.

Bearing

This element can also cause whistling. What causes this mechanism to fail? As with all bearings, grease can be washed out here, which compromises the integrity of the cage. Moreover, it is impossible to determine the cause externally.

The bearing will be like new. But as soon as it starts working (that is, it starts to rotate), you will hear a characteristic noise. This item is non-separable and cannot be repaired. In case of failure, only replacement will help.

Tension

This is perhaps one of the most common reasons why the alternator belt whistles on the VAZ-2110 and other domestic cars. Owners of foreign cars are not immune from this problem. Whistling can occur for two reasons. This is a very weak or too tight belt tension. Moreover, the problem may disappear and reappear. So, with a tightly tightened belt, the whistle will occur only in the cold season. As soon as the engine warms up, the belt returns to its shape and the sound stops. But this does not mean that you can continue to drive with such a problem. This significantly reduces the life of the belt and bearing.

Correctness of the pulley line

This is another reason why the alternator belt whistles. On the "Prior" this trouble also happens. So, when whistling, it is worth checking the alignment of the upper and lower pulleys. They must be on the same level. Even with a slight slope, the contact patch decreases several times. The mechanism will emit a characteristic squeak.

How to pull up?

Checking the tension level without tools is quite simple. So, if you press your finger on the middle part of the belt, it should bend by 6-8 millimeters. If the element is tight or too tight, the situation needs to be corrected. Consider how to do this, using the example of front-wheel drive VAZ cars.

So, we need ring wrenches "for 17" and "for 19" (or better - with a ratchet and a head). The setup process takes no more than ten minutes. So, let's get to work. First you need to unscrew the fixing nut, which secures the generator and the bracket from above. Next, unscrew the same nut at the bottom. It is enough to loosen it a few turns. If you need to tighten the element, you should take hold of the generator and pull the belt away from you. Next, tighten the appropriate nuts and check the level of tension. If the belt turned out to be too tight and needs to be loosened, we perform a similar operation. However, here we need to pull the generator towards us. So, we tighten all the bolts and proceed to the test. If the tension is at the level of six to eight millimeters, we start the engine and turn on all the main consumers of electricity. These are optics, air conditioning, stove and so on. Music should not be turned on, because we need to listen to the whistle of the belt. If there is no noise, the operation is considered successful.

Conclusion

So, we found out why the alternator belt whistles. As you can see, this can happen for various reasons. But first of all, you should check the tension level. In 80 percent of cases, the alternator belt whistles precisely because of this. Also remember that over tightening the mechanism can lead to increased wear on the bearings and the pulley itself. Stick to the golden mean, namely the parameter of 6-8 millimeters with a deflection in the middle section. And you can adjust the tension level yourself, using two keys. Therefore, if the alternator belt whistled, it is not necessary to go to the service station to look for a problem. Perhaps the reason lies in its elementary incorrect tension.