Hello,
I just installed new Gates alternator belt and PS pump belt. One of them squeals, or maybe both at startup.
I took both of them off, and of course, not squealing, and put alternator belt on, just a little tighter, and started the engine. No squeal, so I moved on to PS pump belt. A bit tighter. No squeal that day.

But it/they squeal half of the time, and sometimes, when you start to move at a stop light, a couple times a day, it squeals a bit. I tightened PS pump belt as tight as I can. Still the same. What can I do?
I bought these from Amazon themselves, and gates website says that if it is authentic, the package has a code, and you enter it in their website for verification. Mine did not come with the codes. I think they are fake, but maybe not all the authentic gates belt models have them?
https://www.gatestechzone.com/en/pro...cation-general

The other thing is that my PCV valve does not make any sound when I shake it. I do not have CEL. Do I need to change it? The Honda OEM costs $40!
Please advise.

 

You could try contacting the seller about your purchase and ask if it is authentic, also Amazon states it only sells authentic no knockoffs but you never know if it's through 3rd party sellers. Maybe give the belts a couple days to break in and then if they are still noisy, try some wd-40 belt dressing spray.
Your pcv should be replaced as it does serve a purpose for your engine.
You could try cleaning out the pcv by submerging it in a cup of any type degreaser and shake it free or blowing it out the one way with brake cleaner but your better off replacing it. For such a simple little part, it's not necessary to go oem and pay $40 for a small little plastic valve. Just get one from your local autoparts store for probably less than half of what honda charges.

 

Thank you, Maxcapacity.
WD-40 on drive belts? Would it not make the belts even more slippery?
The belts still squealed today. I will give it a few more days. They squeal 60% of the time. They may break in soon, as you mentioned.

Or Should I replace it with Bando PS belt? My original belt says so. Alternator belt is made by Mitshuboshi, and I don't think I can get one here in the States. I thought Gates belts were the best belts.

A friend of mine said to use belt conditioner spray ($7 at autozone), and also if you can clean up the pulley and remove rust.

 

Go tighter.

 

On PS belt, I cannot. It is as tight as it can be. I did not think these belts should be so tight. Didn't they need some slack?

 

WD 40 makes - SPECIALIST - BELT DRESSING anti slip spray. Not regular stuff. That was just one brand of stuff I happen to have. You can use a different brand (what ever you can get) of belt dressing/conditioner like the stuff you mentioned from autozone. If you have rust on the pulleys, definitely clean that up with a small wire brush or scotch bright pad then wipe off the dust.
Gates belts are good, I prefer ACDelco belts since they are good quality and not bad prices for accessory belts.
Going too tight with the belts will put a lot of strain on all the bearings of components that are connected and you may get premature wear and also the belts could break.

 

Thank you. I've decided to get Bando belts, and give them a little slack. Right now the belts have more tension than I'd like. I will use a wire brush too. Unfortunately, I can't remove the harmonic balancer pulley, so I will clean on alternator and power steering pulleys.