Help to Diagnose this noise please

[AdamIsAdam]

Yesterday, on my way to my friend's shop where we spent a FULL day going over my new-to-me MKIV, about 5 blocks from his shop, my AN fitting on the power steering pump gave out, sending PS fluid EVERYWHERE, including on my headers. Thank goodness the car was not that hot or I assume it could have caught fire (note to self: mount fire extinguisher). So I drove to the shop after checking the situation out, where my mechanic friend rebuilt the fitting. He said he does not like using AN fittings on high pressure lines like the PS pump. But, he put it back and it seems to be good now.

So after 8 hours of garage tinkering, torquing and changing all fluids, I drove home. After about 5 minutes, I started to get a rhythmic belt squeak. It's engine speed dependent and louder when it's warmed up and higher RPMs. I assumed maybe fluid got on the belt and that it would work its way out after a drive.

Today, I took it on a 30 minute drive. It did FINALLY subside after about 29 minutes of my 30 minute drive (or so it felt), it was temporary as the noise came back.

Is the belt shot (it looks fine and does not appear to have been doused with fluid)?
I adjusted the belt and that did nothing.
Did the PS pump fail from running dry for 5 minutes?
The pulley bolts on the front of it are tight.

Thoughts?

Here's the video of it
https://youtu.be/6p6EYmGd_UQ

[Jeff Kleiner]

Yes, that's the belt. It's really hard to shut one up once they are contaminated and noisy. In the old days we'd douse them with brake fluid bit you don't want to do that because it will fling it around underhood and damage any painted surface. You can try a shot of belt dressing (it will fling that around too but will only make a bit of a mess, not damage anything). In the end though you'll probably need to replace it and clean all of the pulleys. Now or later, your choice.

Jeff

[AdamIsAdam]

Yup, you were spot on. I picked up a new belt, problem solved. Easy enough.

[CraigS]

For others who may read this, one other option is brake cleaner. I spray it on to the grooved side of the belt while the engine is idling. It doesn't always work but it's worth a shot. Seems to me these belts absorb fluids more than I would expect. I guess sometimes the brake clean will flush it out and sometimes not.

[Avalanche325]

One old school trick is a bar of soap. It can quiet a belt and not make a mess.

All of this stuff worked better on V-belts. Serpentine belts seem to not give up easily once they start making noise.