Once the vehicle starts making squealing noises it is time for the maintenance expert to take a look at the drive belt. Is it damaged? Is it taut enough? Has it been correctly installed? Whether a drive runs as it should depends on a number of factors – installation itself can be a source of error.
ContiTech Power Transmission Group has brought out two new posters for distribution to auto repair shops to assist with belt damage diagnosis and correction. The posters explain the problems that may occur with fan belts, multiple V-ribbed belts and timing belts, as well as their causes, and ways of solving those problems.
If, for instance, uneven wear is detected on the ribs of a multiple V-ribbed belt or fan belt, this may be due to substantial belt vibrations during operation. In that case the poster recommends examining the drive prior to changing the belt. Or, if the timing belt has running marks on the teeth side, this indicates that the belt drive may have been contaminated with foreign matter. Then, according to the "Timing belts" poster, the foreign matter must be removed and the belt changed, after which one should check that the covering is seated properly.
More than 40 different belt drive problems, their causes, plus remedial action are described in the "Problem – Diagnosis – Solution" posters. The "Timing belts" and "Multiple V-ribbed belts/fan belts" posters (DIN A2 size, approx. 42 x 60 cm) are available, free of charge, in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian. They can be ordered from: [email protected].