Dear Tom and Ray:
I have a high-pitched noise coming from the engine of my 2000 Chevy Blazer with 150,000-plus miles. My husband told me it was a belt, and he "oiled it." I'd never heard of that. I thought you tightened or replaced belts. Can you oil them? Also, I haven't told him yet, but the noise is still there today.
-- Claire
Tom: No, you're not supposed to oil belts. When belts get old and dry and cracked, they start to slip. The high-pitched whine you're hearing is your belt slipping.
Ray: Putting oil on the belt may temporarily soften it up a bit and stop the slipping -- or it could grease it up and make it worse!
Tom: But in either case, the effect is temporary. As you've already discovered, the heat and friction will remove the oil in short order -- in your case, in a day.
Ray: There are products, called belt dressings, that are specifically designed to try to milk a little more life out of a dry and worn-out belt. But we don't recommend them. If you have an old, worn-out belt, the best thing to do is replace it.
Tom: So tell your husband we said, "Oil hinges; replace belts." Good luck, Claire.
(Car Talk is a nationally syndicated column by automotive experts (and brothers) Tom and Ray Magliozzi. Write to them at the Car Talk website.)
4 Comments
By Pearl on July 26, 2011 8:04 AM
Dear Tom and Ray
I have a 2003 Saturn wagon with almost 80,000 miles on it. It has overall been a great reliable car but now I have a problem with the car starting. I does not occur every time I used the but just occasionally. I brought it to my mechanic twice and they can not find anything wrong. I will drive my car for several miles or more and then I park the car then get back in and the car will not start. The lights on the dash board go on. There is not a sound while you turn the ignition - nothing happens. Then wait awhile and try again, still nothing and wait then try again and it starts. One time it did not start and I needed AAA to come and they replaced the battery but it still happened again. I am afraid of getting stuck. Any suggestions on what to check to correct this will be very much appreciated. Love listening to your program.
Thanks,
Pearl
By Vince on July 26, 2011 4:14 PM
I hate to tell you this Pearl, but I don't think Tom and Ray make a habit of reading the comments section of the Seattle Times.
By jim on July 27, 2011 10:14 PM
Pearl your starting is going out... Next time it does this try quickly from run to start back and fourth and see if the car starts up faster then waiting for it.
By Pearl on July 28, 2011 6:15 AM
OOPS - wrong place to ask question!
Thanks Vince and Jim. Jim I tried the running back and forth - begging seems more effective!.