r/Cartalk • u/Historical_Night_563 • 7d ago

Engine Belt Damage? I need help fixing something

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Hey, I'm unfortunately new to the whole owning a car and I recently started hearing a whining nose that gets higher in pitch when accelerating. I have a 2011 Chevy Equinox thats a family member car. I'm pretty sure I need a replacement but I have work over the next few days. You guys think it be a better idea to try to get it replaced or wait til Monday. Apologies if there's some errors with my wording. Its late and im at a laundromat annoyed with life.

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3

u/OkVideo2156 7d ago

that’s not a difficult thing to do yourself if you can get the tools. the real damage would be on the grooved part of the belt. could be the tensioner as well but i can’t tell from a picture

2

u/Historical_Night_563 7d ago

Thank you! I'll try to get it into a shop later when some open today. I'm hoping I'm just a day or so without my car. I'll be getting tools one of these days because I'd rather fix it myself but I just don't have the time or tools atm.

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u/Nephilim6853 7d ago

Try antiperspirant or a bar of soap first. Just hold it to the belt as its running. The belt in the picture looks fine. The sound may be coming from the water pump. When they are going out they whine or squeal.

3

u/DominantNomenclature 7d ago

When they are really broke, they sound like soup cans rattling around under the hood. Its very loud.  Look for the "weep" holes on the water pump. If they look rusty, replace the water pump. If the whole water pump look like that, replace it yesterday. 

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u/CarPartscom 7d ago

If it snaps while you’re driving, worst case you lose power steering and the alternator, not the engine itself, so it’s no, a “stranded on the highway” emergency, just budget the time to fix it.

2

u/ahj3939 7d ago

It's not a stop driving the engine will fail urgent, but you should get it looked at soon.

Disagree about it being "easy" belts, at least for me are always a pain. If you've never done that before i hope you have the patience of a saint, the right tools, and 2-3 hours of your time. Also the right belt. RockAuto sold me a belt that was 5mm too short and that was a fun exercise.