Hey so I have 2004 Acura RSX approx 105k miles. I guess for the past few months one of the belts on my car has been screeching. Initially it would only happen for like the first 5-10 min when the car was started. I had did some basic maintainence recently and the mechanics said my belts were all good.

I couldn't stand the noise so I got some belt conditioner and that got rid of it but it came back in a few hours. I thought maybe something in that area needs lubricating, maybe the pulleys. I got some WD40 and applied it and it got rid of noise for about 2 hours. Now the noise is there all time, even after 10 minutes of driving and its driving me crazy because I have a really good idea where its coming from but I have no clue how to stop it.

Any advice?

 

It may be the idler bearing on the AC compressor clutch pulley is worn out.

You could try using a shorter belt to bypass the AC compressor to see if that eliminates the noise. Ask for Non-AC belt for your model, or measure around the active pulleys w/ a string to get a belt measurement.

If RX has a serpentine belt, it could also be the bearing on the tensioner idler pulley.

Removing serpentine belt and cranking to see if screeching is gone would confirm noise is a component turned by belt; AC compressor, alternator, or PS Pump.

good luck

 

Generally, belt conditioners are just short term bandages and can actually gum up the pulleys, etc. and make it worse. The WD-40 probably is making the belt slip more.

Just get the serpentine/drive belt changed. You probably should clean up the belt conditioner and WD-40 off the pulleys. As your car isn't that old and you only have 105k miles, the auto-tensioner for the belt should still be good, so a belt change may be all that is needed.

 

Just a little fyi, although you do inspect the serpentine/drive belt for cracks and damage, most of the Hondas and Acuras have marks (e.g. like a gauge) on the auto-tensioner to tell if the belt tension is out of range and needs replacement. Even at that, a belt sometimes may make noise before that. Additionally, if the belt has not been changed, at 105k miles, it is generally recommended to change the drive belt.

 

Thank you very much for all your help guys.